The results indicate that pycnogenol supplementation improves levels of HDL-C ; however , the changes in TC , TAG , and LDL-C were not clinical ly relevant .
Since there are few phytochemicals that have a significant increasing effect on HDL-C levels  , pycnogenol may have important role in prevention of cardiovascular diseases
The effects of pycnogenol on plasma lipids are controversial .
A systematic review and meta- analysis of clinical trials were conducted to obtain a conclusive result in humans .
An examination of the effects of the antioxidant Pycnogenol® on cognitive performance, serum lipid profile, endocrinological and oxidative stress biomarkers in an elderly population
The study examines the effects of the antioxidant flavonoid Pycnogenol on a range of cognitive and biochemical measures in healthy elderly individuals . The study used a double-blind , placebo-controlled , matched-pair design , with 101 elderly participants ( 60—85 years ) consuming a daily dose of 150 mg of Pycnogenol for a three-month treatment period . Participants were assessed at baseline , then at 1 , 2 , and 3 months of the treatment . The control ( placebo ) and Pycnogenol groups were matched by age , sex , body mass index , micronutrient intake , and intelligence . The cognitive tasks comprised measures of attention , working memory , episodic memory , and psychomotor performance . The biological measures comprised levels of clinical hepatic enzymes , serum lipid profile , human growth hormone , and lipid peroxidation products . Statistically significant interactions were found for memory-based cognitive variables and lipid peroxidation products , with the Pycnogenol group displaying improved working memory and decreased concentrations of F2-isoprostanes relative to the control group
The results indicate that pycnogenol supplementation improves levels of HDL-C ; however , the changes in TC , TAG , and LDL-C were not clinical ly relevant .
Since there are few phytochemicals that have a significant increasing effect on HDL-C levels  , pycnogenol may have important role in prevention of cardiovascular diseases
The effects of pycnogenol on plasma lipids are controversial .
A systematic review and meta- analysis of clinical trials were conducted to obtain a conclusive result in humans .