Skin ulcers (open wounds) on the feet are a common complication of diabetes. Because diabetes impairs wound healing, these ulcers can progress to bone infection and tissue death that may require amputation.

Researchers have been studying possible medical uses of an extract made from bark of the French maritime pine. The supplement, Pycnogenol, may have antioxidant and other properties.

Among the recent studies that have examined the supplement:

• Researchers at Chieti-Pescara University in Italy and Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat Munster in Germany studied 30 diabetic patients with leg ulcers involving severe diabetic angiopathy (blood vessel disease). The patients were assigned to one of four treatment groups for six weeks. Those treated with oral and local Pycnogenol had a 74 percent decrease in ulcer size, compared to a 41 percent improvement in those treated locally and 33 percent improvement in those treated orally. No side effects were reported.

  The control group, which did not receive the extract but did, like the other patients, disinfect their ulcers daily, had a 22 percent improvement.

  "The Pycnogenol-treated groups all showed a significantly increased oxygen presence in the skin and a significantly lowered carbon dioxide level," lead researcher Dr. Gianni Belcaro stated in a news release. "These findings suggest that Pycnogenol helps to resolve the underlying microangiopathy with an improved blood micro-circulation carrying more oxygen to the feet. Better circulation decreases the chance of developing ulcers."

  The study was published in Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostatis.

• Researchers at L'Aquila University in Italy and the University of Munster in Germany conducted two trials to explore whether the extract could reduce leg pain. They studied 66 people who experienced either occasional normal cramping, frequent sports-induced cramping or venous insufficiency (a condition in which valves in leg veins cannot return blood to the heart). They also studied 47 people with diabetic angiopathy or intermittent claudication, a painful symptom of vascular disease.

  The volunteers received 200 milligrams orally of Pycnogenol every day for four weeks. As a comparison, they received no supplement for the two weeks beforehand and one week afterward.

  While taking the extract, the athletes with frequent cramping experienced a 13 percent decrease in leg cramps, those with normal cramping experienced a 25 percent decrease, and those with venous insufficiency experienced a 40 percent decrease.

  The subjects with diabetic angiopathy or claudication had a 21 percent decrease in pain while taking the supplement. No decrease in pain was noted in people who took a placebo (sugar pill).

  The study was published in Angiology.

Patients are advised to consult their physician before taking any supplement or drug. For example, some supplements can alter levels of glucose (blood sugar) or interact with medications.

Copyright 2000-2006 HealthCentersOnline Inc.