Complementary effects of pine bark extract supplementation on inattention, impulsivity, and antioxidative status in
Cheng-Dien Hsu1, Li-Hsuan Hsieh2, Ya-Ling Chen2
1Department of Psychiatry, Taiwan Adventist Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Insights
Pine bark extract (PE) supplementation significantly reduced inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). PE also improved antioxidative status, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for ADHD.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Neuroscience
- Pediatric Psychiatry
- Oxidative Stress Research
Background:
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
- Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of ADHD, suggesting potential benefits from antioxidant interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of pine bark extract (PE), rich in polyphenolic compounds with antioxidative properties, on ADHD symptoms.
- To assess the impact of PE supplementation on oxidative stress markers in children with ADHD.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study involving 20 children diagnosed with ADHD.
- Participants received either 25mg or 50mg of PE or placebo for 4-week periods, separated by a 2-week washout.
- Symptoms were assessed using SNAP-IV and Continuous Performance Test III (CPT III); oxidative status was measured via glutathione ratio and TBARs levels.
Main Results:
- PE supplementation significantly reduced inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms as measured by SNAP-IV.
- CPT III performance showed a significant decrease in commission errors during PE supplementation.
- Erythrocytic glutathione ratio increased, and plasma TBARs levels decreased, indicating improved antioxidative status.
Conclusions:
- Pine bark extract (PE) shows potential in ameliorating symptoms of inattention and impulsivity in children with ADHD.
- PE supplementation may enhance the antioxidative capacity in children with ADHD, warranting further investigation.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the complementary effects of polyphenolic compounds from pine bark extract (PE) as a strong antioxidative substrate on the symptoms of inattention and impulsivity in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This was a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study that included two experimental units (4 weeks with PE supplementation and 4 weeks with placebo supplementation) separated by a 2-week washout period. ADHD participants were supplemented with 25 mg or 50 mg PE. We recruited 20 participants (17 boys and 3 girls) with a mean age of 10.0 ± 2.1 years. PE supplementation caused a significant reduction in the inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity items of SNAP-IV. During the period of PE supplementation, the item of commissions in the Continuous Performance Test III (CPT III) significantly decreased, which was used to evaluate the symptoms of inattention and impulsivity. In addition, the erythrocytic reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio significantly increased, and the plasma TBARs level significantly decreased after 4 weeks of PE supplementation. However, there was no significant correlation between CPT III (commission) and antioxidative status indictors. PE supplementation may have potential effects of ameliorating inattention and impulsivity, and elevating the antioxidative status in children with ADHD.
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