NutraConnect KEY INGREDIENTS dated in three double-blind, place- taking Pycnogenol® and the nu- bo-controlled studies. All three mber of days during which they studies utilized the well establi- required Joint Health Systemic In- shed WOMAC score for evalua- flammation Oxidative stress ROS tion of joint pain, joint stiffness and -30% CRP -72% Pycnogenol® function for primary osteoarthritis lowers inflammatory marker CRP (grade I or II) of the knee. in osteoarthritis patients I Horphag Research-Geneva, Switzerland Firstpilottrialwith IHorphag Research Asia-Shan- pycnogenol®For ghai,China I Horphag Research osteoarthritis USA-Hoboken NJ, USA I www.py- cnogenol.com I ©HORPHAG I 4 analgesics decreased as well. In Pycnogenol® was shown in a first contrast,the placebo group re- clinical pilot trialto improve pain quired increased pain medication and symptoms in osteoarthritis at during the 3 months trial. the University of Arizona Tucson [Farid et al.,2007]. In this trial 37 secondclinicaltrial patients received Pycnogenol® or withycnogenol®in placebo in addition to their stan- p 100 dard NSAID of selective COX-2 in- osteoarthritispatients hibitor medication over a period of three months. With Pycnogenol® A larger study was carried out in the pain gradually decreased from Europe with 100 patients [Cisar et one month to another reaching a al.,2008]. The results of this study significant change to placebo af- are in accordance with the pre- ter two months. After three mon- vious study. Again the pain is ths a significant reduction of 43%, gradually decreasing during the 35%, and 52% in self-reported course of three months treatment pain,stiffness and physical func- with Pycnogenol®. An improve- tion, respectively, were reported in ment is found after the first month the Pycnogenol® group whereas and a further improvement is seen the placebo group showed no after 2 months, were values are si- significant changes. Subjects re- gnificantly different to the placebo quired significantly less NSAID or group. This study had a follow-up selective COX-2 inhibitors when investigation period two weeks