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Use of a Pine Bark Extract and Antioxidant Vitamin
Combination Product as Therapy for Migraine in
Patients Refractory to Pharmacologic Medication
Sirichai Chayasirisobhon, MD
Posted: September 2006  
Headache 2006;46:788-793

Objective:   To evaluate the potential benefit of a pine bark extract and antioxidant vitamin combination product in the treatment of migraine headache.

Background:   This was an uncontrolled preliminary study to investigate the potential of an antioxidant formulation as therapy for migraine headache.

Methods:   Use of a Pine Bark Extract and Antioxidant Vitamin Combination Product as Therapy for Migraine Twelve patients with a long-term history of migraine with and without aura who had failed to respond to multiple treatments with ß-blockers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists were selected for the study. They were treated with 10 capsules of an antioxidant formulation of 120 mg. pine bark extract, 60 mg. vitamin C, and 30 IU vitamin E in each capsule daily for 3 months. Following enrollment patients completed a disability assessment questionnaire to give a baseline measure of migraine impact on work, school, domestic, and social activities over the previous 3 months. Patients were then treated for 3 months with the antioxidant formulation while continuing to receive existing pharmacologic medications. A second questionnaire was given at the conclusion of the treatment period.

Conclusion:   These data suggest that the antioxidant therapy used in this study may be beneficial in the treatment of migraine possibly reducing headache frequency and severity. Further clinical investigation into the efficacy of antioxidant as therapy for chronic migraine is warranted.