Pine Bark Extract May Improve Pediatric ADHD Symptoms With Fewer Adverse Effects
In children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol, Horphag Research) significantly improved ADHD symptoms with fewer adverse effects than methylphenidate, according to results from a randomized trial published in the Journal of Functional Foods.
“In pediatric ADHD and especially in the primary school environment, pine bark extract was proven to be a good alternative for methylphenidate for those willing to wait a few weeks for effects,” wrote researchers, “a fortiori when considering its almost complete lack of adverse effects as opposed to methylphenidate.”
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The trial, conducted at the University of Antwerp in Belgium, included 88 children ages 6 through 12. Children were randomized to daily pine bark extract, methylphenidate, or placebo for 10 weeks. Those weighing less than 66 pounds took 20 mg/day of pine bark extract or methylphenidate. Children 66 pounds or more took 30 mg/day of methylphenidate or 40 mg/day of pine bark extract. At baseline, 5 weeks, and 10 weeks, behavior and reports of adverse effects were measured.
Teachers reported significant improvements in total and hyperactivity/impulsivity ADHD-Rating Scale scores with pine bark extract and methylphenidate compared with placebo after 10 weeks. Specifically, total ADHD-Rating Scales scores decreased 29% with pine bark extract, 45% with methylphenidate, and 5% with placebo. Hyperactivity/impulsivity decreased 34% with pine bark extract and 36% with methylphenidate and increased 1% with placebo. Inattention decreased 25% with pine bark extract, 52% with methylphenidate, 9% with placebo.
Ratings on the Social-Emotional Questionnaire supported the ADHD-Rating Scale results, researchers noted.
However, adverse effects were reported 5 times more often with methylphenidate than pine bark extract, the study showed. Reported adverse effects with methylphenidate were gastrointestinal symptoms, reduced appetite, insomnia, headache, a feeling of tachycardia, sneezing, and being emotional. Reported adverse effects with pine bark extract were headache, dizziness, nausea, and diarrhea.
“Results of this study strengthen the evidence underlying ‘natural’ treatment options, which is highly desired by medical staff, patients, and parents,” researchers wrote. “These results should be confirmed by future trials involving a greater number of patients, providing more information on specific subgroups, dosing, and mechanisms of action of therapeutic modalities for ADHD.”
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