A common factor identified in moderate and severe COVID-19 patients is reduced levels of protective antioxidants such as glutathione. The pine bark extract pycnogenol functions to "take the place" of low antioxidants such as glutathione, thereby reducing tissue damage.
When the SARS coronavirus enters cells, it results in formation of large amounts of free-radicals. This can potentially lead to damage and death to cells in blood vessels and organs.
Normally, cells in the human body have a defense against these free radicals, including production of antioxidants (such as glutathione) which neutralize excessive free-radicals.
However, those with moderate to severe COVID-19 have been found to have far lower levels of these antioxidant defenses, thereby allowing free-radicals to cause more harm, and providing an explanation for their more severe reaction to the virus.
To compensate for this lack of antioxidant protection from COVID-19 free-radical formation, scientists are suggesting the administration of the over-the-counter supplement called Pycnogenol, which is made from French Maritime Pine Bark.
The logic here is that pynogenol will function to reduce the excessive formation of free-radicals causing oxidative stress, inflammation and damage to cells in the body.
ABSTRACT
Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is triggered by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV2) and has rapidly developed into a worldwide pandemic. Unlike other SARS viruses, SARS-CoV2 does not solely impact the respiratory system, but additionally leads to inflammation of endothelial cells, microvascular injuries and coagulopathies, thereby affecting multiple organs. Recent reports of patients who were infected with SARS-CoV2 suggest persistent health problems even months after the initial infection. The French maritime pine bark extract PycnogenolⓇ has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, vascular and endothelium-protective effects in over 90 human clinical studies. It is proposed that PycnogenolⓇ may be beneficial in supporting recovery and mitigating symptoms and long-term consequences resulting from a SARS-CoV2 infection in COVID-19 patients.