Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an external dermal agent with a sustainable anti-wrinkle action, which has both the action of enhancing the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes in the skin and the action of enhancing the collagen production in the skin, and which assists the maintenance and the improvement of tissue structures and physiological functions of the epidermis and the dermis, whereby providing a remarkable skin improvement effect. The present invention solves the above object by providing an external dermal agent containing ?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1?3?)-adenosine and/or ?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1?5?)-adenosine as an effective ingredient(s).

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an agent for strengthening calcium-containing tissues, which can be safely applied; and its use: The present invention solves the object by providing an agent for strengthening calcium-containing tissues, which comprises one or more flavones, flavonols, flavanones, flavanonols, anthocyanidins, flavanols, chalcones, and aurones.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an external dermal agent with a sustainable anti-wrinkle action, which has both the action of enhancing the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes in the skin and the action of enhancing the collagen production in the skin, and which assists the maintenance and the improvement of tissue structures and physiological functions of the epidermis and the dermis, whereby providing a remarkable skin improvement effect. The present invention solves the above abject by providing an external dermal agent containing ?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1?3?)-adenosine and/or ?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1?5?)-adenosine as an effective ingredient(s).

Abstract: The present invention has objects to provide an extract powder of indigo plant, which has a relatively low hygroscopicity, satisfactory fluidability, and improved storage stability; a process thereof; and a composition incorporated with the extract powder. The objects are solved by a process for producing an extract powder of indigo plant, which comprises incorporating a partial starch hydrolyzate with a dextrose equivalent of 10.2 or lower into one part by weight, on a dry solid basis, of an indigo plant extract contained in a liquid extract of indigo plant in an amount of not lower than 0.25 part by weight but not higher than 5 parts by weight, on a dry solid basis, and drying the resulting mixture; an extract powder of indigo plant prepared thereby; and a composition incorporated with the extract powder.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a means for durably exerting an action of enhancing collagen-production, and the object is attained by providing a collagen-production enhancer which contains, as an effective ingredient, ?,?-trehalose and/or a saccharide derivative thereof, and by a composition incorporated with the collagen-production enhancer to be used for such purpose.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an agent for strengthening calcium-containing tissues, which can be safely applied; and its use: The present invention solves the object by providing an agent for strengthening calcium-containing tissues, which comprises one or more flavones, flavonols, flavanones, flavanonols, anthocyanidins, flavanols, chalcones, and aurones.

Abstract: A human IFN-? inducing polypeptide and its nucleotide sequence was isolated, purified and characterized. Pharmaceutical compositions containing this novel INF-? inducing polypeptide or active fragments thereof are formulated and monoclonal antibodies are raised against this polypeptide or antigenic fragments thereof. The polypeptide can be used in a method for treating diseases susceptive to treatment with INF-?, and methods for enhancing the cytotoxicity of NK cells or for inducing the formation of LAK cells, such as to treat tumors and malignant pathologies.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an agent for enhancing collagen production and use thereof, and solves the object by establishing an agent for enhancing collagen production, which comprises as effective ingredients L-ascorbic acid or its derivative and a fatty acid or its derivative, and use thereof.

Abstract: A human IFN-? inducing polypeptide and its nucleotide sequence was isolated, purified and characterized. Pharmaceutical compositions containing this novel INF-? inducing polypeptide or active fragments thereof are formulated and monoclonal antibodies are raised against this polypeptide or antigenic fragments thereof. The polypeptide can be used in a method for treating diseases susceptive to treatment with INF-?, and methods for enhancing the cytotoxicity of NK cells or for inducing the formation of LAK cells, such as to treat tumors and malignant pathologies.

Abstract: Disclosed are a receptor protein which recognize a novel cytokine, i.e., interleukin-18, a monoclonal antibody specific to the protein, and uses thereof. The receptor protein is useful as pharmaceutical to treat and prevent autoimmune and allergic disease because it suppresses and regulates excessive immunoreaction. The monoclonal antibody specifically reacts with interleukin-18, exhibiting efficacy in purification, detection and inhibition of interleukin-18.

Abstract: A human IFN-? inducing polypeptide and its nucleotide sequence was isolated, purified and characterized. Pharmaceutical compositions containing this novel IFN-? inducing polypeptide or active fragments thereof are formulated and monoclonal antibodies are raised against this polypeptide or antigenic fragments thereof. The polypeptide can be used in a method for treating diseases susceptive to treatment with IFN-?, and methods for enhancing the cytotoxicity of NK cells or for inducing the formation of LAK cells, such as to treat tumors and malignant pathologies.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an agent for strengthening calcium-containing tissues, which can be safely applied; and its use: The present invention solves the object by providing an agent for strengthening calcium-containing tissues, which comprises one or more flavones, flavonols, flavanones, flavanonols, anthocyanidins, flavanols, chalcones, and aurones.

Abstract: Disclosed are a receptor protein which recognize a novel cytokine, i.e., interleukin-18, a monoclonal antibody specific to the protein, and uses thereof. The receptor protein is useful as pharmaceutical to treat and prevent autoimmune and allergic disease because it suppresses and regulates excessive immunoreaction. The monoclonal antibody specifically reacts with interleukin-18, exhibiting efficacy in purification, detection and inhibition of interleukin-18.

Abstract: Disclosed are a receptor protein which recognize a novel cytokine, i.e., interleukin-18, a monoclonal antibody specific to the protein, and uses thereof. The receptor protein is useful as pharmaceutical to treat and prevent autoimmune and allergic disease because it suppresses and regulates excessive immunoreaction. The monoclonal antibody specifically reacts with interleukin-18 receptor, exhibiting efficacy in purification, detection and inhibition of interleukin-18 receptor.

Abstract: A polypeptide which has a molecular weight of 18,500±3,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE and a pI of 4.9±1.0 on chromatofocusing. The polypeptide strongly induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells with only a small amount, and does not cause serious side effects even when administered to human in a relatively-high dose. It can be used to treat and/or prevent malignant tumors, viral diseases, bacterial infectious diseases, and immune diseases.