Muccioli, Giampiero, Baragli, Alessandra, Granata, Riccarda, Papotti, Mauro, and Ghigo, Ezio
concurrent treatment with an immunosuppressive medicine, including prednisone, increases the risk of infection
Clinical studies have shown that it has several antiaging and cardio- and neuro-protective properties, and can also alleviate osteoarticular, urologic, and menopause-related discomfort.60 The extract has also been found to have a photoprotective, modulating effect on skin pigmentation.61 Several RCTs evaluating the use of French maritime pine bark extract have shown a significant reduction in signs of facial aging, such as wrinkles and solar lentigines,62,63 and increased levels of hyaluronan synthase and type I collagen.64 Another RCT (n=76) showed increased skin elasticity and hydration and decreased skin darkening in Asians working in highly polluted areas after treatment for 12 weeks.65 No relevant adverse effects were reported

But as we mentioned earlier in this guide, acetyl hexapeptide-8 has a mechanism of action similar to Botox (though its not as strong of an effect),22 and it has demonstrated the ability to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.23 However, more research is needed, as some other research has found the peptides effects to be unremarkable.24 The other peptide in the complex is pentapeptide-18, also known as Leuphasyl