NutraConnect KEY INGREDIENTS stiffness and with time the restora- rate less MMP enzymes which tion of mobility. are responsible for degenerating cartilage collagen in osteoarthritis [Grimm et al., 2006]. Pycnoge- nol® consumption was found to naturally inhibit COX-enzymes in humans, which are predominantly responsible for joint pain [Schäfer et al., 2006]. Pycnogenol®®potently inhibits inflammation in osteoarthritis y Source of pain Cartilage «master-switch»in joints degradation pycnogenol®potentlyinhi- bitsinFlammationinarthri NF-kB COX MMPs - -15.5% -15% -25% tisenhancesendothelial Function The pharmacological activities of Pycnogenol® in humans al- Experiments with leukocytes from low to address several patholo- blood of human Pycnogenol® gic processes of osteoarthritis consumers revealed further an- simultaneously.Consumption of ti-inflammatory mechanisms. Py- Pycnogenol® was shown to inhi- cnogenol® significantly inhibited bit the activation of the pro-inflam- the synthesis of COX-2 enzyme as matory “master switch” NF-kB well as 5-LOX and FLAP enzymes by 15.8% [Grimm et al., 2006]. [Canaliet al., 2008]. Particularly The activated NF-kB protein com- the gene expression of COX-2 mands the mobilization of essen- is controlled by NF-kB and after tially all proinflammatory molecules Pycnogenol ® consumption for 5 which play a destructive role in days the COX-2 production was arthritis.As a consequence of decreased by 78%. The gene NF-kB inhibition immune cells of expression of 5-LOX is inhibited Pycnogenol® consumers gene- by 75.5% in leukocytes after 5