PINE BARK EXTRACT

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¡¡¡TBannerBio Pine Bark PE 95% is extracted by an exclusive proprietary multi-step process, in which only purified water and ethanol are used as eluents, avoiding any use of toxic solvents. The patent-pending technology guarantees the excellent batch-tobatch conformity. At the same time we select only the bark of the pine trees from wildwood forest where no pesticides or fertilizers are used, excluding any possibility of contamination. BannerBio Pine Bark PE 95% consists solely of the pure extract of pine bark and contains no additives.

1. History and Traditional Use
¡¡¡T¡TThe therapeutic use of pine bark may be traced to ancient medicine. In the 4th century, Hippocrates mentioned its use and in 1497 pharmacist H. Minner noted that pine bark was helpful for wound healing. Native Indians of North America used pine bark tea as a remedy for inflamed wounds or ulcer.1 In 1534, the stranded French explorer Jacques Cartier was introduced by a Quebec Indian of eastern Canada to the tea, which cured scurvy and saved most of his crew from death.
¡¡¡¡In the 1960s scientists explored and isolated the ingredients found in the tea. The efforts eventually lead them to the discovery that pine bark is a rich source of a distinct group of highly bioavailable and bioactive flavonoids called proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyanidins especially the oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) were found to be super antioxidants that scavenge free radicals. In fact it is these super antioxidants that saved Cartier's crew.
¡¡¡¡Later on, OPCs are found in other plants, most prominently grape seeds. For these reasons, proanthocyanidin-rich extracts from pine bark (also called pycnogenol) and grape seeds gained prominence on the market as nutritional supplements in the 1990s.

2. Biochemistry and Pharmacology
¡¡¡Different plants (e.g. pine and grapes) contain different concentrations of the various proanthocyanidins and tannins and have different physiological effects. Chemical identification studies showed that pine bark extract is primarily composed of proanthocyanidins and phenolic acids. Proanthocyanidins in pine bark extract are biopolymers of catechin, epicatechin and taxifolin, which are recognized as important chemical constituents in human nutrition. The phenolic acids are derivatives of benzoic and cinnamic acids.2

¡¡¡¡Evidence is emerging that pine bark extract enhances immune and haemopoietic functions in senescence-accelerated mice.11 Improvement of pine bark extract administration on the treatment of premenstrual symptoms is also reported.12

3. Applications
¡¡¡¡Similar to grape seed extract, pine bark extract is used primarily as nutritional/dietary supplements worldwide. In the US, pine bark extract is now taken as a dietary supplement to strengthen capillaries and blood vessel, protect blood vessel linings, reduce low-density lipoprotein, and reduce platelet aggregation in the forms of capsules or tablets. In France, preparations from pine bark extract are registered medicines (Flavan) for vascular protection. At the same time, pine bark extract is being used in more and more personal care products, such as sun-protection creams and lotions, and even toothpaste. Grape seed extract and pine bark extract can sometimes be used interchangeably.
BannerBio¨° Pine Bark PE 95% is your ideal ingredient for nutritional/dietary supplements, cosmetics products and beverages.

4. Daily dosage of Pine Bark Extract
¡¡¡TRecommend daily dose of Pine Bark Extract: 100mg-500mg¡£

5. Packaging

Interior packaging£ºdual-layer polyethylene plastic bag

Exterior packaging£ºcardboard box

25kg/drum£¬fine powder¡£

6. Storing Method
Store in a cool, dry place and keep away from direct strong light.¡£

References
1. Packer L et al., Antioxidant activity and biologic properties of a procyanidin-rich extract from pine bark, pycnogenol. Free Radic Biol Med 1999, 27(5-6): 704-24.

2. Rohdewaid P, A review of the French maritime pine bark extract, a herbal medication with a diverse clinical pharmacology. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2002, 40(4): 158-68.

3. Duweler KG et al., Urinary metabolites of French maritime pine bark extract in humans. Pharmazie 2000, 55(5): 364-8.

4. Drehsen G, From ancient pine bark uses to pycnogenol. In Packer L et al., (eds): Antioxidant food supplements in human health. Academic Press, 1999 New York, 311-22.

5. Wei ZH et al., Pycnogenol enhances endothelial cell antioxidant defenses. Redox Report 1997, 3: 219-24.

6. Cossins E et al., ESR studies of vitamin C regeneration, order of reactivity of natural source phytochemical preparations. Biochem Mol Biol Int 1998, 45(3): 583-97.

7. Araghi-Niknam M et al., Pine bark extract reduces platelet aggregation. Integr Med 2000, 21, 2(2): 73-7.

8. Saliou C et al., Solar ultraviolet-induced erythema in human skin and nuclear factor-kappa-B-dependent gene expression in keratinocytes are modulated by a French maritime pine bark extract. Free Radic Biol Med 2001, 30(2): 154-60.

9. Koch R., Comparative study of Venostasin and Pycnogenol in chronic venous insufficiency. Phytother Res 2002, 16 Suppl 1:S1- 5.

10. Petrassi C et al., Pycnogenol in chronic venous insufficiency. Phytomedicine 2000, 7(5): 383-8.

11. Liu FJ et al., Pycnogenol enhances immune and hemopoietic function in senescence-accelerated mice. Cell Mol Life Sci 1998, 54: 1168-72.

12. Kohama T et al., The treatment of gynecological disorders with pycnogenol. Eur Bull Drug Res 1999, 7: 30-2.

 

Product Standard
BANNERBIO Pine Bark Extract

Appearance	Brown Red Powder
Odor	Light Aromatic
Taste	Astringent
Punicosides	¡Ý95% (Bate-Smith)
Mesh Size	80 mesh
Loss on Drying	¡Ü 5%
Ash	¡Ü2%
Heavy Metals	¡Ü 10 ppm
Arsenic	¡Ü 2 ppm
Total Plate Count	< 1000 cfu/g
Fungi	< 100 cfu/g
Escherichia Coli	Negative
Salmonella	Negative