<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The present study evaluates antihyperglycemic activity of fractionated Pycnogenol® and its ability to improve endothelial dysfunction
in diabetic animals. The aim of this study was to isolate from Pycnogenol® mixture its active compounds and compare
their efficacy on observed parameters. Pycnogenol® mixture was fractioned by re-extracting with petroleum ether, chloroform,
ethyl acetate and butanol, subsequently. Pycnogenol® mixture and fractions (butanolic, water, ethyl acetate) were administered
during 6 weeks to diabetic rats. Blood glucose levels were assessed from the arterio-venous blood at the beginning of experiment
and at the end of experiment. Endothelial dysfunction was evaluated as the contractile responses to phenylephrine and
acetylcholine. The amount of collagen I and III was assessed from thoracic aorta after picrosirius red staining. For the confirmation
of the changes on molecular level, we determinated endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90)
expression from left ventricle.
Overall, the result suggest, that fractions are not so effective on observed parameters as Pycnogenol® mixture itself, indicating
synergistic effect of the plant constituents.</p></abstract>

The present study evaluates antihyperglycemic activity of fractionated Pycnogenol® and its ability to improve endothelial dysfunction
in diabetic animals. The aim of this study was to isolate from Pycnogenol® mixture its active compounds and compare
their efficacy on observed parameters. Pycnogenol® mixture was fractioned by re-extracting with petroleum ether, chloroform,
ethyl acetate and butanol, subsequently. Pycnogenol® mixture and fractions (butanolic, water, ethyl acetate) were administered
during 6 weeks to diabetic rats. Blood glucose levels were assessed from the arterio-venous blood at the beginning of experiment
and at the end of experiment. Endothelial dysfunction was evaluated as the contractile responses to phenylephrine and
acetylcholine. The amount of collagen I and III was assessed from thoracic aorta after picrosirius red staining. For the confirmation
of the changes on molecular level, we determinated endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90)
expression from left ventricle.
Overall, the result suggest, that fractions are not so effective on observed parameters as Pycnogenol® mixture itself, indicating
synergistic effect of the plant constituents.

The Evaluation of Efficacy of Pycnogenol® Fractions on Endothelial Dysfunction

Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Pharmacy,
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Medicine,
Institute of Pathological Anatomy

Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Pharmacy,
Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany

European Pharmaceutical Journal

{"article-title":"The Evaluation of Efficacy of Pycnogenol® Fractions on Endothelial Dysfunction"}

The present study evaluates antihyperglycemic activity of fractionated Pycnogenol® and its ability to improve endothelial dysfunction
in diabetic animals. The...

The Evaluation of Efficacy of Pycnogenol® Fractions on Endothelial Dysfunction

Publié en ligne: 27 juin 2013

Pages: 7 - 14

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/afpuc-2013-0014

This content is open access.