The Effect of Supplementation with French Pine Bark Extract (Oligopin) on LDL and HDL Levels in Selected Women with Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide, occurring due to either insufficient insulin secretion or the body’s inability to use insulin. An important aspect of the epidemiology of this disease is the growing trend of cases in the coming years. The International Diabetes Federation estimates that the global prevalence of diabetes will rise from 463 million people in 2019 to 578 million in 2030, with about 90% of these individuals suffering from type 2 diabetes. In Iran, the prevalence of this disease in individuals aged 20 to 79 years is approximately 10%.

Most Common Cause of Mortality in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: The leading cause of disability and mortality in type 2 diabetic patients is cardiovascular disease. Several risk factors contribute to cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients, with lipid disorders and hypertension being the primary risk factors. Timely identification and intervention can prevent the onset of chronic complications, including cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks.

In addition to dietary changes aimed at controlling risk factors such as blood lipoproteins, various pharmaceutical drugs have been discovered and are currently being used to control these complications. However, these drugs come with various side effects and high costs for both families and governments.

Effect of Herbal Supplements on Lipid Control: Given the long-term side effects of these medications, the use of herbal supplements can be a more effective method for controlling acute and chronic complications, reducing the need for lipid-lowering drugs in these patients. One such supplement is the French Pine Bark extract, a dietary supplement rich in procyanidins, sold under the brand name Oligopin.

What is Oligopin? Oligopin is a reddish-brown powder derived from the bark of the French Maritime Pine tree. Each Oligopin capsule contains 50 mg of French Pine Bark extract, with procyanidin being the active ingredient, which constitutes about 67 to 75% of the supplement as a strong antioxidant compound.

Research: According to the findings of this study, daily supplementation of 100 mg of Oligopin for six weeks in the selected women group resulted in significant changes in LDL levels in the supplement group compared to the placebo. However, there were no significant changes in HDL levels between the supplement and placebo groups. The positive effects of this supplement on blood lipoprotein control, especially LDL levels, seem to be due to its mechanism of reducing oxidative stress and free radicals in plasma, thereby improving lipid profile levels.

Study Trends: In a study conducted in 2010, supplementation with Oligopin in individuals with metabolic syndrome showed significant changes in HDL levels in the supplement group compared to the placebo group. Finally, it is important to note the limitations beyond the control of the current study, including the lack of reporting on changes in the types, amounts, and frequencies of medications used, the simultaneous use of any herbal supplements, vitamins, or minerals without prior report, dietary changes during the study period, and changes in activity levels, sleep patterns, or any potential lasting changes in personality or daily economic events, psychological traits, individual motivations, and work-related factors. These could have influenced social persistence and cooperation in the study.

Research Suggestions: Based on the study background, it is recommended that future studies examine the effects of Oligopin supplementation in type 2 diabetic patients who are not using lipid-lowering drugs, with a dosage of 200 mg per day, and conducted over short-term (2-3 weeks) and long-term (3-6 months) periods. Additionally, the effects of this supplement on systolic and diastolic blood pressure or other lipid profiles, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, should also be studied as primary variables. Further research can also be conducted to examine the effectiveness of simultaneous use of this supplement in men with type 2 diabetes.

Reference: The Effects of Supplement French Pine Bark Extract (Oligopin) on LDL and HDL in Selected Women with Type II Diabetes. October 2020. Journal of Diabetes Nursing 8(3).