Pycnogenol ® accelerates wound healing and reduces scar formation

Pycnogenol ® was applied topically to experimental wounds inicted on healthy rats by means of a branding iron. The wound‐healing time was taken as the number of days required for 50% of the scabs to separate spontaneously from the animals. Application of a gel formulation containing 1% Pycnogenol ® signicantly shortened the wound healing time, by 1.6 days compared with the group treated with gel only (15.4 days). The application of 2% Pycnogenol ® decreased the healing time by almost 3 days, while 5% Pycnogenol ® further accelerated the wound‐healing process. In parallel, Pycnogenol ® gels reduced the diameter of the scars remaining following complete scab loss in a concentration‐dependent manner. In conclusion, Pycnogenol ® is a potent active ingredient for the treatment of minor injuries. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.