The functional ingredients of the future could include pine bark as an anti-inflammatory.
Eating tree bark may not sound appealing, but pine could soon be on the menu as an extract from the French maritime variety is added to the list of functional ingredients available to nutraceutical developers.
Pharmaceutical industry magazine International Immunopharmacology has published research conducted in Italy into the potential for the branded extract Pycnogenol to be included among the functional ingredients of the future.
The study found that two enzymes, 5-LOX and COX-2, can be inhibited by consumption of the pine bark extract, providing beneficial effects for inflammation due to acne, arthritis and asthma.
According to the researchers, the extract's action on inflammation could be crucial as, when the reaction is not well controlled, it can result in an asthma attack commencing.
The pharmaceutical industry magazine is published 14 times a year and carries the latest research into immunological conditions and therapies, along with publishing review articles on related subjects.
