• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.487-495
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• 2022

Pycnogenol is used as a dietary supplement based on various medical research studies suggesting health benefits. In recent years, it has also been used in cosmetic products, but the clinical research on its dermatologic effects has been insufficient. This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of pycnogenol topically applied to skin of individuals with acne in their teens and twenties. Cosmetics containing 0.2% pycnogenol were applied to a group of 11 clinical subjects for 6 weeks and their skin conditions were assessed. The group that used cosmetics with pycnogenol showed decrease in P-Acnes, acne causing bacteria, phorphyrin index, a metabolite, and the pigmentation and redness index. This study confirms that pycnogenol extract is effective dermatologically in decreasing acne bacteria and reducing redness and pigmentation of skin affected by acne.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.309-315
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• 2021

Pycnogenol extracted from pine bark is a component with great antibacterial activity and antioxidant effect. It is applied as a natural anti-inflammatory agent with various medical effects including anti-inflammatory effects, regulation of blood pressure, regulation of the immune system, and inhibition of cancer cell growth. However, research related to cosmetics is limited. Therefore, in this study, the effect of Pycnogenol on the skin was studied through a clinical approach. Changes in skin condition were observed after using cosmetics with Pycnogenol and without Pycnogenol for 6 weeks for 10 clinicians in each group. We observed the effect of pore reduction, wrinkle reduction around eyes, a decrease of the number and angle of loose pores, and reduction of pigmentation. Therefore, cosmetics containing Pycnogenol have the effect of improving skin problems of aging skin.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.516-522
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• 2009

In this study, the effects of a mixture consisting of vitamin E, vitamin C, pycnogenol and evening primrose oil (mixture LGNC-5) on ultraviolet light (UV) induced pigmentation and wrinkle reductions of normal healthy volunteers were studied. In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, each of 54 subjects took daily either 4 capsules of the mixture LGNC-5 (Group ABC; 282.5 mg/capsule) or placebo (Group Ganada). We irradiated 2.5 MED UV on the upper arms and measured the whitening effect by colorimeter-based L value. The level of wrinkle reduction was determined by image analysis using skin replica around the crow' feet, and the level of serum vitamin E was determined at baseline and 12 weeks. After 12-week oral administration, the treated group showed a significant reduction in skin pigmentation and wrinkles compared with the placebo group (p = 0.011 and p = 0.000005, respectively). Also, the level of serum vitamin E was significantly increased in the treated group after 12-week oral adminstration of the mixture compared with that in the placebo group (p = 0.0001). In conclusion, 12-week oral administration of LGNC-5 as a dietary supplement could be effective to reduce both UV induced pigmentation and skin wrinkle without side effects.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.97-103
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• 2013

Pine bark extract is made from the bark of Pinus densiflora which naturally contains occurring phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds. PineXol$^{(R)}$ from products of pine bark extract is sold under the brand name. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total phenol, total flavonoids contents and antioxidant activity of the PineXol$^{(R)}$ as well as to assess the lipid accumulation during adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells. Our results demonstrate that the total phenolic and flavonoids contents of the PineXol$^{(R)}$ were $717.40{\pm}6.86$ GAE mg/mL and $54.44{\pm}0.01$ RE mg/mL, respectively. The antioxidative activities of the PineXol$^{(R)}$ were significantly increased in a dose dependent manner on DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) radical scavenging, ABTS (2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) radical scavenging, FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) activity, reducing power, nitrite radical scavenging activity and ORAC (Oxygen radical absorbance capacity) value. In addition, the PineXol$^{(R)}$ inhibited the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Exposure to 200 ${\mu}g/mL$, PineXol$^{(R)}$ significantly reduced lipid accumulation (~80%) in 3T3-L1 cells compared to control cells.