Pycnogenol (French Maritime Pine Bark) for the Treatment of Gulf War Illness (NCT07266571) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Pycnogenol (French Maritime Pine Bark) for the Treatment of Gulf War Illness
United States20 participantsStarted 2026-08-01
Plain-language summary
The purpose of this research study is to determine how pycnogenol may reduce Gulf War Illness (GWI) symptom severity. The study will also examine the safety of this treatment and determine the optimal dosage. The investigators believe that GWI involves inflammation in the body and brain that causes fatigue, pain, cognitive disruption, and other symptoms. Botanicals that reduce inflammation may help treat GWI.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
MALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Meet the Kansas GWI case definition
* Meet the CDC GWI case definition
* Able to commit to a 12-month study
* Male
* Participants will be individuals in our Gulf War database who have already completed our other botanical trial, Curcumin, Resveratrol, and Stinging Nettle as Treatments for Gulf War Illness (NCT05377242).
Exclusion Criteria:
* Currently involved in another experimental treatment study
* Female
* Have a blood clotting disorder
* Reported diagnosis of diabetes with a A1C greater than 9
* Use of contraindicated medications (see below):
* Anticoagulants (such as warfarin, heparin, etc.)
* Lithium
* Tacrolimus (Prograf)
* Cancer medications (Alkylating agents, antitumor antibiotics, Topoisomerase I inhibitors, Tamoxifen)
* Daily Use of Antiplatelet agents (e.g. aspirin, clopidogrel)
* Nitroglycerin
* Hypotension
* Need for surgery during study period.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Since this trial is testing Pycnogenol — a French Maritime Pine Bark extract — for Gulf War Illness, can you explain what's already known about how this supplement might help with the physical and mental symptoms I'm experiencing, and whether the existing evidence is strong enough to be encouraging?
2This trial isn't recruiting yet, so there's no start date confirmed — given where I am in managing my Gulf War Illness right now, does it make sense for me to wait for this study to open, or should we focus on other treatment options in the meantime?
3The trial is measuring changes in physical and mental functioning using the Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey — do my current symptoms align with what that scale measures, and does my situation suggest I might be a reasonable candidate to discuss with the research team when the trial opens?
4Since this trial is listed as Phase NA, which often applies to supplement or behavioral studies rather than standard drug trials, what does that mean for how much safety and effectiveness data will be generated, and how does that compare to what we already know about Pycnogenol's safety profile?
5Are there any current standard-of-care treatments or other ongoing Gulf War Illness studies I should consider first, rather than waiting for this trial to begin recruiting?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Physical Functioning Score of the Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey
Timeframe: 12 months
2
Change in Mental Functioning Score of the Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey