Abstract: A method of treating ulcers comprising administering an effective amount of carnosic acid and/or carnosol or a plant extract containing carnosic acid and/or carnosol as an effective ingredient to a subject having such ulcers.

Abstract: A novel carnosic acid derivative for promoting the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF), a composition comprising the carnosic acid derivative as an effective ingredient, as well as, a method of promoting the synthesis of NGF comprising administering an effective amount of the carnosic acid derivative as an effective ingredient to a subject requiring such promotion. The carnosic acid derivative, composition and method according to the present invention can safely and efficiently promote the production of NGF in the living body, without being accompanied by a side effect such as a loss of a quantitative balance of hormones in the living body.

Abstract: A method for producing an optically active 1-(4-t-butylphenyl)-5-oxo-3-pyrrolidine carboxylic acid and/or an enantiomeric ester thereof which includes treating an ester of (±)-1-(4-t-butylphenyl)-5-oxo-3-pyrrolidine carboxylic acid with an esterase derived from Bacillus brevis 042-24 (FERM BP-5872).

Abstract: A method of promoting the synthesis of nerve growth factor comprising administering an effective amount of rosemary and/or sage extracts or carnosic acid and/or carnosol as an effective ingredient to a subject requiring such promotion. The present method can safely and efficiently promote the production of NGF in the living body, without being accompanied by a side effect such as a loss of a quantitative balance of hormones in the living body.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel iodopropargyl derivatives represented by the following formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a methoxy group or a cyano group, which have a reduced unpleasant smell and also have a wide antimicrobial spectrum and a high antimicrobial activity. Also, the present invention provides antimicrobial, antifungal and preservative or antimold agents comprising the above derivatives as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for effectively racemizing an amine compound in which an asymmetric carbon is located at the .beta.-position of the amino group or more distant therefrom, which comprises reacting the amine compound with a complex of an alkali metal and a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inhibiting hyperlipemia which is responsible for various diseases such as arteriosclerosis, which comprise administering to a subject emmeisou or an emmeisou extract.

Abstract: A process for producing an asymmetric compound using a metal complex containing no rare earth metal element is disclosed. The process affords an optically active compound having high optical purity. Optically active binaphthol having the chemical formula ##STR1## and lithium aluminum hydride are reacted, or the optically active binaphthol, a dialkyl aluminum hydride, and a base containing an alkali metal (or a base containing alkaline earth metal) are reacted to prepare a metal complex comprising optically active binaphthol, aluminum, and alkali metal (or alkaline earth metal). This metal complex can be used as a catalyst to perform an asymmetric Michael reaction, an asymmetric phosphonylation reaction, or the like, to obtain, in a high yield, an asymmetric compound having high optical purity.

Abstract: (.+-.)-2-(4-Isobutylphenyl)-propionic acid can be resolved into optically active isomers easily and with high yields. The method is characterized by the use of the optically active amine of the following general formula (I) or (II) as a resolving agent.

Abstract: A cleaning composition which comprises dimethylcyclooctadienes is disclosed. There is further disclosed a method of cleaning printed circuit boards or printed wiring boards, which comprises: contacting the board with a composition comprising dimethylcyclooctadienes and 2-20% by weight of a surfactant; rinsing the board with water; and drying the board.

Abstract: A cleaning composition which comprises dimethylcyclooctadienes is disclosed. There is further disclosed a method of cleaning printed circuit boards or printed wiring boards, which comprises: contacting the board with a composition comprising dimethylcyclooctadienes and 2-20% by weight of a surfactant; rinsing the board with water; and drying the board.

Abstract: A process for producing toners for use in electrophotography which comprises: dyeing resin particles which have a predetermined particle size with a dye in an aqueous medium in such amounts that the weight ratio of the medium to the resin particle is not less than about 5 in the presence of silica powder in an amount of up to 10 wt. % based on the weight of the resin at temperatures of not less than the softening point of the resin but not more than temperatures higher than the softening point about 40.degree. C. under vigorous stirring. Water-insoluble dyes are particularly preferred.The resultant toner is composed of particles of resin dyed fast and deeply, and is usable as it is as toners in electrophotography without further coloring of the particle.