In both trials, the researchers assessed the symptoms of a group of passengers treated with pine bark extract and a control group who did not receive the treatment. The subjects of the active group took, from 48 hours before the flight and for 7 consecutive days, three capsules per day each containing 50 mg of Pycnogenol^®. The trial protocol did not include a placebo.

Each group of subjects included around ten patients treated for mild arterial hypertension. Note that people taking antihypertensive drugs are theoretically more at risk of suffering from symptoms associated with long air travel.

In the first trial, the intensity and duration of symptoms such as dehydration and loss of appetite, headache, fatigue, nausea or digestive disturbances, insomnia or disturbances in the digestive system were measured. sleep, irritability, impaired intellectual faculties and general well-being. According to the researchers, the intensity of these symptoms was reduced by 56% in subjects who took the extract compared to subjects in the control group.

In the second trial, a similar symptom assessment was performed, but subjects were also subjected to a computed tomography (CT) scan for symptoms of mild brain edema that may be associated with jet lag. The researchers report that they detected more mild manifestations of cerebral edema in subjects in the control group.

However, in the absence of a placebo, it is not possible to know whether the benefits observed in this preliminary study are attributable or not to a placebo effect.

Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net

According to Medical News Today et Environment News Service.

1. Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Steigerwalt RJ, Jet-lag: prevention with Pycnogenol®. Preliminary report: evaluation in healthy individuals and in hypertensive patients. Minerva Cardioangiol 2008; 56 (Suppl. 1 to issue N. 5): 1-7. [Not listed in PubMed].