Could pine bark ease gulf war symptoms? small trial aims to find out

NCT ID NCT07266571

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study will test whether Pycnogenol, a supplement from French maritime pine bark, can reduce symptoms of Gulf War Illness like fatigue, pain, and brain fog. Twenty male veterans who have already been in a related study will take either Pycnogenol or a placebo for up to 12 months. The goal is to see if it improves physical and mental functioning and to find the best dose.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Pycnogenol (French maritime pine bark extract)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a natural supplement to reduce inflammation and improve daily functioning for veterans with Gulf War Illness.

What could go wrong

This is a very small, early-stage trial with only 20 male veterans, so results may not apply to everyone. As a dietary supplement, it is not FDA-approved as a drug, and its effects may be modest or no better than placebo.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

persian gulf syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham

    Birmingham, Alabama, 35243, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact