Pine bark extract is being studied in the fight against knee arthritis pain. A new study suggests that people with mild knee arthritis might benefit from pine bark extract because of its' inflammation-fighting properties.

The extract is made from bark of the French maritime pine tree. Lab studies show the extract to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that might prove useful.

The study had sufferers of knee arthritis take the extract for three months. Another group was given a placebo. The results at the end of 90 days showed those taking the extract said they were suffering less pain that the group who took a placebo only. Even two weeks after stopping consumption of the extract, the group who had been taking pine bark extract said their pain had lessened.

The pine tree extract is to be marketed under the name Pycnogenol.

The study was conducted by Dr. Peter Rohdewald, of the University of Munster in Germany.

"Our study doesn't show evidence for this, but I do speculate that Pycnogenol has a more lasting effect on the joints, further to mere pain management as with NSAIDs," said Rohdewald.

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