Pycnogenol, French maritime pine bark extract, may be useful in the management of childhood asthma. The research included 60 participants, 6-18 years old, with mild to moderate asthma, who were randomly administered or placebo. After 3 months, researchers determined that those taking Pycnogenol had significantly more improvement in lung function and asthma symptoms, the need for a rescue inhaler, levels of leukotrienes and improved peak expiratory flow (compared to study members assigned to a placebo). (16)
Belcaro G, et al compared a group of patients taking inhaled steroids to a group taking inhaled steroids plus Pycnogenol. The Pycnogenol group was noted to have the following positive findings. 55% of the Pycnogenol group were able to reduce the amount of inhaled steroids needed to control their asthma. Cough, wheezing and difficulty breathing improved significantly only in the Pycnogenol group. Only 6% of the group using inhaled steroids alone were able to reduce the amount of the medication. There were no serious adverse reactions of Pycnogenol reported in the study (18).
Exercise Induced Asthma:
Preventing exercise induced asthma symptoms prior to exercise: In adults and children with asthma, taking inhaled short and long acting beta2-agonists (such as albuterol, salmeterol, formoterol) before vigourous activity or exercise may prevent exercise induced asthma (EIB), in about 80% of patients. The benefits of treatment may last for 2-3 hours for short action beta agonist or up to 12 hours if long action beta agonists are used. Additionally, a warm-up period prior to exercise is associated with a lesser degree of EIB. In cold weather, a mask or scarf over the mouth may lessen the effects of cold-induced EIB. Children suffering from EIB should not be excluded from sports and other activities but teachers and coaches should be notified that the child suffers from EIB and may need inhaled medication prior to participation. If symptoms of EIB occur during usual non-vigorous play activities, this may an sign of poorly managed or persistent asthma and long-term treatment may be necessary. Appropriate long-term management may reduce EIB. (10)