Sources
OPCs aren’t a single chemical, but a group of closely related compounds. Several food sources contain similar chemicals: red wine, cranberries, blueberries, bilberries, tea (green and black), black currant, onions, legumes, parsley, and the herb hawthorn . However, most OPC supplements are made from either grape seed or the bark of the maritime pine. These two OPC sources lead to products that are not necessarily identical in function, although there do seem to be many similarities. In the discussion of scientific studies below, we indicate the source of the OPCs used when it is possible to do so. In some cases, however, identifying the exact product is difficult, as both grape seed and pine bark OPCs, or their combination, have at various times been sold under the same name.
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Therapeutic Dosages
For the treatment of specific medical conditions, studies have used doses of 150 to 300 mg daily. For use as a general antioxidant, 50 mg of OPCs daily are often recommended; however, there is no evidence that this dose provides any health benefits.
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Therapeutic Uses
The best-documented use of OPCs is to treat chronic venous insufficiency , a condition closely related to varicose veins. In both of these conditions, blood pools in the legs, causing aching, pain, heaviness, swelling, fatigue, and unsightly visible veins. Fairly good preliminary evidence suggests that OPCs from pine bark or grape seed can relieve the leg pain and swelling of chronic venous insufficiency. 8-12,74 However, no studies have evaluated whether regular use of OPCs can make visible varicose veins disappear, or prevent new ones from developing.
Other small, double-blind trials suggest that OPCs may help reduce swelling caused by injuries or surgery . 13-15
Evidence from one small, double-blind trial suggests that OPCs from bilberry and grape seed may reduce the general fluid retention and swelling that can occur in premenstural syndrome (PMS) . 50
One large study found some evidence that use of OPCs from pine bark might help prevent the leg blood clots that can develop on a long airplane flight. 51
Some studies suggest OPCs from pine bark, alone or with arginine , may be helpful for erectile dysfunction (impotence). 52,53,66 For example, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 124 men (aged 30-50) with moderate erectile dysfunction were randomized to take Prelox (a formulation of pine bark extract and arginine) or placebo for 6 months. The men who took Prelox experienced improvement in their condition over placebo. 66
In a double-bind, placebo-controlled study of 61 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) , use of OPCs from pine bark (at a dose of 1 g per kg per day) appeared to improve some measurements of disease severity. 62
Two small, double-blind pilot studies suggest that OPCs from pine bark might help reduce asthma symptoms. 42,54
OPCs are also often recommended for allergies , but an 8-week, double-blind trial of 49 individuals found no benefit with grape seed extract. 19 On a slightly more positive note, a preliminary trial involving 39 people with seasonal allergies found that those who took OPCs at least 5 weeks before the start of the season experienced more symptom relief compared to the control group. And those that took OPCs for a longer period of time (eg, 7-8 weeks before the season) seemed to have better results. 65
According to several studies, OPCs might improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes. 55 In addition, a small study found evidence to support the use of pine bark extract for improving the symptoms and healing time of foot ulcers, a common complication in people with diabetes. 75
Some evidence suggests that OPCs protect and strengthen collagen and elastin. 20-25 Theoretically, this could mean that OPCs are helpful for aging skin , and they are widely sold for this purpose, but there is as yet no direct evidence that the herbs work.
Hemorrhoids are varicose veins in and around the anus. Since OPCs are used to treat varicose veins, it is thought that this substance would also be helpful for people who have hemorrhoids . A randomized trial involving 84 people with hemorrhoids found that both the oral and topical forms of pine bark extract eased symptoms, including bleeding. 68
One study suggests that while OPCs alone may not reduce levels of cholesterol , some benefits may occur when taken in combination with chromium. 18
OPCs are strong antioxidants. Vitamin E defends against fat-soluble oxidants, and vitamin C neutralizes water-soluble ones, but OPCs are active against both types. 5-7 Based on the (unproven) belief that antioxidants offer many health benefits, regular use of OPCs has been proposed as a measure to prevent cancer , diabetic neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy , 48 and heart disease . 37-40
OPCs have been tried as a treatment for impaired night vision , 35,36,45lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus), 44easy bruising , 16,17high blood pressure , 43 and liver cirrhosis . 49 However, more research needs to be performed to discover whether it actually provides any benefits in these conditions.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of questionable validity reported that use of OPCs from pine bark produced benefits in all symptoms of menopause . 64
One study failed to find OPCs significantly helpful for weight loss . 56 Another failed to find OPCs helpful for reducing the side effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer. 61
A systematic review of 15 trials evaluated the possible effectiveness of OPCs from pine bark in treating chronic disorders. 76 While the pooled results did not show the benefits of OPCs, 3 trials hinted that the supplement may be useful in people with osteoarthritis .
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What Is the Scientific Evidence for Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins?
Venous Insufficiency (Varicose Veins)
There is fairly good preliminary evidence for the use of OPCs to treat people with symptoms of venous insufficiency .
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 71 subjects found that grape seed OPCs, taken at a dose of 100 mg 3 times daily, significantly improved major symptoms, including heaviness, swelling, and leg discomfort. 27 Over a period of 1 month, 75% of the participants treated with OPCs improved substantially. This result doesn’t seem quite so impressive when you note that significant improvement was also seen in 41% of the placebo group; nonetheless, OPCs still did significantly better than placebo.
A 2-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 40 people with chronic venous insufficiency found that 100 mg of pine bark OPCs 3 times daily significantly reduced edema, pain, and the sensation of leg heaviness. 28 A similar study of 20 individuals also found OPCs from pine bark effective. 29
A placebo-controlled study (blinding not stated) that enrolled 364 people with varicose veins found that treatment with grape seed OPCs produced statistically significant improvements as compared to baseline. 30 There was a lesser response in the placebo group, but whether this difference was statistically significant was not stated.
OPCs have also been compared against other natural treatments for venous insufficiency. A double-blind study of 50 people with varicose veins of the legs found that doses of 150 mg per day of grape seed OPCs were more effective in reducing symptoms and signs than the bioflavonoid diosmin . 31 Similarly, a double-blind study of 39 people found pine bark OPCs more effective than the herb horse chestnut . 46
Edema After Surgery or Injury
Breast cancer surgery often leads to swelling of the arm. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 63 post-operative breast cancer patients found that 600 mg of grape seed OPCs daily for 6 months reduced edema, pain, and peculiar sensations known as paresthesias. 32 Also, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 32 people who had received facial surgery, edema disappeared much faster in the group treated with grape seed OPCs. 33
Another 10-day, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolling 50 participants found that grape seed OPCs improved the rate at which edema disappeared following sports injuries . 34
Blood Clots After Plane Flights
It is commonly thought, though not proven, that the immobility endured during a long plane flight can lead to the development of potentially dangerous blood clots in the legs known as DVTs . 57 Travelers at high risk are often recommended to take aspirin to “thin” their blood prior to flying.
One crossover study of 22 smokers found that 100 mg of OPCs had an equivalent blood thinning effect as 500 mg of aspirin. 58 On the basis of this, a large double-blind study was performed to evaluate whether OPCs from pine bark could help reduce risk of blood clots on long airplane flights. 59 The study followed 198 people thought to be at high risk for blood clots. Some participants were given 200 mg of OPCs 2 to 3 hours prior to the flight, 200 mg 6 hours later, and 100 mg the next day; while others received placebo at the same schedule. The average flight length was about 8 hours. The results indicated that use of OPCs significantly reduced risk of blood clots. There were five cases of DVTs or superficial thrombosis in the placebo group, as compared to none in the OPC group, a difference that was statistically significant.
Another substantial double-blind study (204 participants) found benefit with a product that contains OPCs combined with nattokinase. 63 Nattokinase, also known as natto, is an extract of fermented soy thought to have some blood clot dissolving properties.
Periodontal Disease
Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and plaque formation lead to periodontal disease , one of the most common causes of tooth loss. A 14-day, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 40 people evaluated the potential benefits of a chewing gum product containing 5 mg of OPCs from pine bark. 47 Use of the OPC gum resulted in significant improvements in gum health and reductions in plaque formation; no similar benefits were seen in the placebo group.
Atherosclerosis
Although there are no reliable human studies, animal evidence suggests that OPCs can slow or reverse atherosclerosis . 37-40 This suggests (but definitely does not prove) that OPCs might be helpful for preventing heart disease.
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Safety Issues
OPCs have been extensively tested for safety and are generally considered to be essentially nontoxic. 41 Side effects are rare, but when they do occur they are limited to occasional allergic reactions and mild digestive distress.
However, one study unexpectedly found that a combination of OPCs and vitamin C might slightly increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure . 60 Neither treatment alone had this effect. These results may have been a statistical fluke, but nonetheless people with hypertension should use the combination of vitamin C and OPCs only with caution. One study, though, found that pine bark extract may help improve kidney function in people with metabolic syndrome who take high blood pressure medicine. 67
Maximum safe dosages for young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease have not been established.
OPCs may have some anticoagulant properties when taken in high doses, and therefore should be used only under medical supervision by individuals on blood-thinner drugs, such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, clopidogrel (Plavix), ticlopidine (Ticlid), pentoxifylline (Trental), or aspirin.
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Interactions You Should Know About
If you are taking:
Warfarin (Coumadin) , heparin , clopidogrel (Plavix), ticlopidine (Ticlid), pentoxifylline (Trental) , or aspirin : High doses of OPCs might cause a risk of excessive bleeding.
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Last reviewed July 2012 by EBSCO CAM Review Board
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
To learn about OPC‘s visit these links:
OPCXtra – Isotonic OPC