Abstract: To provide an inhibitor of melanin decomposition, which inhibits decomposition of melanin in keratinocytes to accelerate accumulation of melanin in skin and hair. An inhibitor of melanin decomposition in keratinocytes, comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a plant extract containing berberine or a salt thereof, berberine or a salt thereof, proguanil or a salt thereof and phenformin or a salt thereof, as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Provided are a gene involved in the regulation of the amount of melanin in keratinocytes, and the control of the color of skin or hair, the gene being selected from the group consisting of ATG7 gene, RAB11A gene, CLIP-170 gene, Rubicon gene and RAB7B gene, and a molecule encoded by the gene.

Abstract: To provide an inhibitor of melanin decomposition, which inhibits decomposition of melanin in keratinocytes to accelerate accumulation of melanin in skin and hair. An inhibitor of melanin decomposition in keratinocytes, comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a plant extract containing berberine or a salt thereof, berberine or a salt thereof, proguanil or a salt thereof and phenformin or a salt thereof, as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Provided is a material useful for preventing or ameliorating uneven skin tone, prevention or amelioration of uneven skin tone by enhancing autophagic activity, and a method for evaluating or selecting an agent for preventing or ameliorating uneven skin tone using an autophagic activity-enhancing action as an indicator.

Abstract: An inhibitor of endothelin action or a skin-whitening agent, comprising a compound represented by Formula (1) or a salt thereof as an active ingredient: wherein in Formula (1), R1 represents a formyl group or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atom(s), and R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atom(s).

Abstract: Provided are a gene involved in the regulation of the amount of melanin in keratinocytes, and the control of the color of skin or hair, the gene being selected from the group consisting of ATG7 gene, RAB11A gene, CLIP-170 gene, Rubicon gene and RAB7B gene, and a molecule encoded by the gene.

Abstract: Provided are a gene involved in the regulation of the amount of melanin in keratinocytes, and the control of the color of skin or hair, the gene being selected from the group consisting of ATG7 gene, RAB11A gene, CLIP-170 gene, Rubicon gene and RAB7B gene, and a molecule encoded by the gene.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for inhibiting dopa oxidase activity, for inhibiting melanin production, or for whitening skin using haguro-so or an organic solvent extract thereof, or a compound of formula (I):

Abstract: Use of autophagic activity in regulation of the amount of melanin in a keratinocyte, the control of skin or hair color, or selection of an agent for regulating the amount of melanin in a keratinocyte or an agent for controlling skin or hair color.

Abstract: An inhibitor of endothelin action or a skin-whitening agent, comprising a compound represented by Formula (1) or a salt thereof as an active ingredient. wherein in Formula (1), R1 represents a formyl group or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atom(s), and R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atom(s).

Abstract: Use of autophagic activity in regulation of the amount of melanin in a keratinocyte, the control of skin or hair color, or selection of an agent for regulating the amount of melanin in a keratinocyte or an agent for controlling skin or hair color.

Abstract: Use of haguro-so or an organic solvent extract thereof, or a compound represented by the following formula (I) or a salt thereof, for inhibiting a dopa oxidase activity, for inhibiting melanin production, or for whitening the skin; in the formula (I), R1 and R2, being the same or different, each represent a hydroxyl group, or a C1-4 linear or branched alkoxy group, or R1 and R2 together form a methylenedioxy group; R3 and R4, being the same or different, each represent a hydroxyl group, or a C1-4 linear or branched alkoxy group, or R3 and R4 together form a methylenedioxy group; R5 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C1-5 linear or branched alkoxy group, a C1-4 acyl group, or a sugar residue selected from the group consisting of (D-apio-?-D-furanosyl)oxy, (?-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy, (3-O,4-O-dimethyl-D-xylopyranosyl)oxy, (2-O,3-O,4-O-trimethyl-?-D-xylopyranosyl)oxy, and (3-O-methyl-?-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy; R6 and R7 are each a hydrogen atom and R8 and R9 together represent an oxygen atom, or R8 and R9

Abstract: Provided are a gene involved in the regulation of the amount of melanin in keratinocytes, and the control of the color of skin or hair, the gene being selected from the group consisting of ATG7 gene, RAB11A gene, CLIP-170 gene, Rubicon gene and RAB7B gene, and a molecule encoded by the gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alternative agent with vitamin D-like activity or an improving agent for age-related depression of intestinal function, comprising a sugar-phosphate ester or a salt thereof, as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for evaluating or selecting an agent having preventive or alleviative effects on spots, which method realizes reliable and effective screening of candidate substances of the agent; a method for predicting spot formation; and a method for analyzing the condition of skin spots. The method of the present invention for evaluating or selecting an agent having preventive or alleviative effects on spots, includes evaluating a substance which suppresses a p53 activity, or an expression level of a p53 gene, a p53 target gene or an expression product thereof in an epidermal cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alternative agent with vitamin D-like activity or an improving agent for age-related depression of intestinal function, comprising a sugar-phosphate ester or a salt thereof, as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intestinal mineral absorption capacity improver containing glucose 1-phosphate sodium salt as an effective ingredient.