It's a signalling molecule that tells your fibroblasts to remodel the extracellular matrix - which means it triggers both the synthesis of new collagen and the breakdown of old collagen
The mechanistic benefits include increased fibroblast activity, improved skin elasticity, enhanced wound healing capacity, and better skin barrier function through ceramide production
Staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep contribute significantly to skin brightness
If you are designing a study, the takeaway is that the strongest signal is in skin and connective-tissue models, the supporting literature concentrates around the Pickart groups body of work, and effects outside those model systems should be treated as more provisional
It has been studied in experimental models of skin repair, corneal injury, dry eye conditions, cardiovascular remodeling after ischemic injury, systemic inflammation including sepsis models, neurological injury, autoimmune neuroinflammation, and musculoskeletal recovery
While both aim to improve sleep, they work through entirely different mechanisms and serve different purposes