Pine pollen reviews

Pine pollen is the male spore (male fertilizing agent) of pine tree that is collected artificially from Pinus massoniana Lamb., Pinus tabulaeformis Carr., and it has the characteristics of a single pollen source, pure quality, and is a stable component. Pine pollen has been used as a Chinese traditional medicine drug and food for thousands of years in the treatment of different kinds of diseases such as colds, disease of the prostate, anemia, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and rhinitis ¹. Pine pollen powder, called “natural micronutrient storeroom,” is rich in many kinds of body-demanding amino acid, more than 30 kinds of mineral elements, 15 types of vitamins, nearly 100 kinds of enzymes and coenzymes, >200 kinds of nucleic acids, unsaturated fatty acids, lecithin, flavonoids, choline, and so on ². As such, pine pollen has multiple benefits such as immunity enhancement, anti-aging, anti-fatigue, metabolism modulation, increasing hypolipidemic capacity, liver protection, blood glucose reduction, and skin protection ³. Although it is well proposed that pine pollen may have antiaging effect due to its various benefits on human health, the direct supportive experimental evidence linking the drug with aging has rarely been reported so far ⁴. Though pine pollen showed an antiaging effect in test tube studies, whether it possesses any effect against aging in human remains elusive.

Pine pollen benefits

Several study in lab mice reports recently demonstrated the liver protective effect of Masson pine pollen ⁵. The ethanol extract of pine pollen extract displayed a strong free radical scavenger or anti-oxidant activity on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and hydrogen peroxide in test tube study ⁶. Masson pine pollen protected against acute liver injury in lab mice, and such protection may be derived from the alleviation of lipid peroxidation injury caused by alcohol, enhancement of fatty acid metabolism, and reduction of fat deposition in liver cells ⁵. Masson pine pollen could also promote liver function restoration and ascites absorption to benefit the treatment of liver diseases, especially chronic persistent hepatitis in lab mice ⁵. The test results suggest that Masson pine pollen aqueous extract has anti-fibrosis effect on experimental liver fibrosis induced by CCl₄ ³.

In another test tube experiment, the pine pollen showed different inhibitory effect on serum and cerebral advanced glycation endproducts formation in model mice ⁴. When the model mice were treated with a high dosage (1500 mg/kg) of pine pollen, the lowest level of advanced glycation endproducts in brains and a best reversal effect on lowered neurological activity were observed ⁴. However, pine pollen at a lower dosage (500 mg/kg) exhibited a best inhibitory efficacy on serum advanced glycation endproducts generation rather than the other two higher doses (1000 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg) ⁴. Besides, the in vitro assay revealed that pine pollen had little inhibitory effect on the bovine serum albumin-advanced glycation endproducts formation, which was different from the role of aminoguanidine, as this compound could inhibit the nonenzymatic glycation both in vivo and in vitro. Firstly, pine pollen contains various ingredients, including proteins, vitamins, enzymes and coenzymes, fats, flavonoids, nucleic acids, monosaccharides, polysaccharides, phospholipids, and other nutrients ⁷. Flavonoids have been reported as potent inhibitors on advanced glycation endproducts formation ⁸, while the ingredients of protein and monosaccharides are the substrates of nonenzymatic glycation which may accelerate the advanced glycation endproducts formation. Thus the inhibitory effect of pine pollen on advanced glycation endproducts formation would be partly offset by itself. Since higher dosages of pollen contain more non-enzymatic glycation substrates, a better inhibition of pine pollen on serum advanced glycation endproducts formation displayed under low dosage rather than that of higher dosages in vivo. Secondly, pine pollen showed an optimal inhibition on cerebral advanced glycation endproducts under high dose (1500 mg/kg); this may be induced by more active substances such as flavonoids in pine pollen going through into brain tissues. Thirdly, pine pollen may indirectly inhibit the advanced glycation endproducts formation in vivo by an antioxidant mechanism. Increased advanced glycation endproducts level can induce an elevated level of intracellular oxidative stress levels, which in turn promotes the non-enzymatic glycation ⁹. Effective removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may block the formation of advanced glycation endproducts. Indeed, the D-galactose-treated mice showed an elevation of oxidative stress in our experiment, and it was significantly reduced by pine pollen, as indicated by the declined malondialdehyde concentration, and reversion of decreased superoxide dismutase activity. In summary pine pollen is proved to delay the replicative senescence of human diploid fibroblasts and block D-galactose-induced increase of serum and cerebral advanced glycation endproducts level in model mouse, which may result in the reversal of D-galactose-induced aging effects in both neural and inflammation system. It is possible that pine pollen exerts its antiaging effects at least partially by its nonenzymatic glycation-inhibiting effect in vivo.

Does pine pollen work?

There’s currently a lack of human clinical trial to back up the use of pine pollen in the treatment of different kinds of diseases such as colds, disease of the prostate, anemia, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and rhinitis.

Pine pollen side effects

Pine pollen has been known as “weak allergen” ¹⁰, that causes symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Currently there is no clinical results on the side effects of pine pollen supplements, therefore very little is known about possible side effects and safety on pine pollen supplements. Don’t take pine pollen products if you have pine allergies (and related plants) as it may trigger allergic reactions.

Pine pollen allergy

While pine tree allergy is relatively uncommon, there are two main allergens of concern that come from pine trees: pine nuts and pine pollen. Pine nuts (pignoli) are the edible seeds of certain species of pine trees, and are used in a variety of foods, including Italian pesto. Pine nut consumption has increased due to its use in the Mediterranean diet. Pine pollen is produced when the trees reproduce in the springtime. It is possible for pollen to travel very long distances in the air.

Pine pollen allergies are similar to other pollen allergies, and many people with pine pollen allergy are also allergic to grass pollen. Pine nut allergies are similar to other tree nut allergies, and can cause mild, moderate, and severe allergic responses including anaphylaxis. Cross-reactivity has been reported between pine nuts and peanuts and between pine nuts and pine pollen.

If you suspect you’re suffering from a pine tree allergy, talk to your allergist, who can evaluate your symptoms and identify the source of your illness.

Pine pollen allergy symptoms

Symptoms of pine pollen allergies are much like “hay fever” and typically include:

• Itchy tearing red eyes
• Bags under the eyes
• Runny nose with or without sneezing and congestion
• Coughing

In some cases pollen may aggravate asthma.

Pine nut allergies are much like other tree nut allergies in that they can cause anaphylactic reactions. Symptoms may vary from mild to severe and include:

• Tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the tongue, throat, nose and lips
• Hives or rash
• Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and/or vomiting
• Dizziness and fainting or loss of consciousness
• Shock and heart failure

If you have an anaphylactic reaction, even if it is mild, treat it because it wont go away. Symptoms include those listed above and:

• Itchy throat
• Sneezing
• Abdominal discomfort

Pine pollen allergy diagnosis

You should always visit an allergist if you suspect you are allergic to something. Allergists will take a detailed history of your reactions to pine nuts or pine pollen, and then may administer tests and recommend appropriate treatment.

The most common method of testing for allergy to pine is to perform a skin prick test. A very small amount of pine pollen or pine nut is placed on the skin, and then the skin is lightly pricked so that a tiny amount goes into the skin. After a period of time the area is examined for redness or other changes that would indicate an allergic sensitivity.

In some cases, blood tests may be conducted to test for reactions to pine. A small amount of blood is taken and tested in the laboratory to see if the antibodies in it respond to the allergen.

In rare cases, pine nut food allergies can be “challenged”, where a small amount of food is given under an allergists supervision to observe for a reaction. Due to the risk of anaphylaxis, food challenges should never be attempted on your own but always done in your allergists office.

Pine pollen allergy treatment

Pollen allergies can be treated with medication to control the symptoms. Other types of pollen allergies have been treated with immunotherapy, and pine pollen allergies may eventually be treated this way.

While pollen easily travels in the air, some strategies to avoid it can help . Pollen levels are typically highest in the morning (between 5 and 10 am), and when the air is dry, so postponing outdoor activities until the afternoon, or going out after heavy rain, can help. Keeping windows closed to keep pollen out will also help, and avoiding drying clothes on hanging lines will keep them from collecting pollen.

Pine nut allergy treatment

Any time you suspect a severe allergic reaction, you should seek immediate emergency care. For longer term management, consulting an allergist is important as they can help you recognize the symptoms of mild, moderate, and severe reactions, and give the most appropriate treatment.

Food allergies, including allergies to pine nuts, are best treated by completely avoiding the food. To accomplish this it may be necessary to learn how to read food labels, deal with the potential dangers of restaurants, and be aware of other potential exposure.

The most effective treatment for serious allergic food reactions is epinephrine injection. Epinephrine self-administration devices are the first line of defense against anaphylaxis. Severe reactions can occur even in people who have only had relatively mild reactions in the past. Talk to your allergist about the suitability of carrying an epinephrine injector if you, or your child, have a known allergy to pine nuts. If you have been prescribed an epinephrine injector, use it at the first sign of symptoms and then go to the nearest emergency room.

References

1. Lee KH, Kim AJ, Choi EM. Antioxidant and antiinflammatory activity of pine pollen extract in vitro. Phytotherapy Research. 2009;23(1):41–48.
2. Chen W, Han XF, Lu JG, Liu WW, Tian YH, Wu XR. Determination of 16 elements in the different pine pollen by TXRF. Guang Pu Xue Yu Guang Pu Fen Xi. 2012;32:2250–3
3. Cong T, Jin XY, Zhao L, et al. Anti-fibrotic effects of the Masson pine pollen aqueous extract on hepatic fibrosis rat model. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2015;8(5):4651–4661. Published 2015 May 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4503027
4. Mao GX, Zheng LD, Cao YB, et al. Antiaging effect of pine pollen in human diploid fibroblasts and in a mouse model induced by D-galactose. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2012;2012:750963. doi:10.1155/2012/750963 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3345248
5. Cheng N, Ren N, Gao H, Lei X, Zheng J, Cao W. Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Schisandra chinensis pollen extract on CCl4-induced acute liver damage in mice. Food Chem Toxicol. 2013;55:234–40.
6. Lee KH, Kim AJ, Choi EM. Antioxidant and antiinflammatory activity of pine pollen extract in vitro. Phytother Res. 2009;23:41–8.
7. He X, Sun X, Yu Z. Effective components and pharmacological function of pine pollen. Journal of Northeast Forestry University. 2007;35(9):78–80.
8. Pashikanti S, de Alba DR, Boissonneault GA, Cervantes-Laurean D. Rutin metabolites: novel inhibitors of nonoxidative advanced glycation end products. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 2010;48(5):656–663.
9. Li SY, Sigmon VK, Babcock SA, Ren J. Advanced glycation endproduct induces ROS accumulation, apoptosis, MAP kinase activation and nuclear O-GlcNAcylation in human cardiac myocytes. Life Sciences. 2007;80(11):1051–1056.
10. Lee HM, Park IH, Shin JM, et al. XXIV World Allergy Congress 2015: Seoul, Korea. 14-17 October 2015. World Allergy Organ J. 2016;9(Suppl 1):14. Published 2016 Apr 19. doi:10.1186/s40413-016-0096-1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4896250