Diabetic ulcers: microcirculatory improvement and faster healing with pycnogenol
G Belcaro, M R Cesarone, B M Errichi, A Ledda, A Di Renzo, S Stuard, M Dugall, L Pellegrini, G Gizzi, P Rohdewald, E Ippolito, A Ricci, M Cacchio, G Cipollone, I Ruffini, F Fano, M Hosoi, G Belcaro, M R Cesarone, B M Errichi, A Ledda, A Di Renzo, S Stuard, M Dugall, L Pellegrini, G Gizzi, P Rohdewald, E Ippolito, A Ricci, M Cacchio, G Cipollone, I Ruffini, F Fano, M Hosoi
Abstract
Diabetic microangiopathy leads to lower limb ulcers that are very slow to heal. Pycnogenol was evaluated on diabetic ulcers in a controlled trial. Ulcer medications were used in 4 groups (30 patients): (1) systemic Pycnogenol and local application; (2) local Pycnogenol only; (3) oral Pycnogenol; and (4) medications only (control group). Ulcerated areas and symptom scores were more reduced with the combined oral and local treatment (P < .05). Oral and local treatment were less effective, but still improved compared with the controls. Combined treatment produced 89% complete healing at 6 weeks versus 84% with local treatment and 85% with oral treatment; healing in controls was 61%. The combined treatment group and oral only group had better microcirculation after the combined treatment. Combined local and systemic application of Pycnogenol may offer a new treatment of diabetic ulcers. Local treatment also speeds ulcer healing.
Source: PubMed