Abstract: A method for screening an apoptosis inhibitor characterized by screening a candidate via an effect on PGT. A cell protecting agent containing as the active ingredient a substance which can be incorporated into cells via prostaglandin transporter (PGT); and a screening method therefor comprising measuring the uptake into cells via PGT. An apoptosis inducer containing as the active ingredient a substance having a PGT inhibitory effect; and a screening method therefor comprising measuring the ability to induce apoptosis of cells with the expression of PGT. Because of having a cell apoptosis inhibitory effect, the cell protecting agent is useful as a nerve cell apoptosis inhibitor, a nerve cell protecting agent, etc. and applicable to the prevention or treatment of nervous diseases, etc. The apoptosis inducer is useful in preventing and/or treating diseases in association with cell proliferation such as tumor, etc.

Abstract: It is the matter to be solved by the present invention to provide mRNA coding for the PGT of a human brain type and to provide a polynucleotide coding for the PGT of a human brain type prepared using the said mRNA as a template. There are provided mRNA coding for the PGT of a human brain type and having a molecular weight of 38-40 kilodaltons and a polynucleotide being prepared by the use of the said mRNA as a template and having a specific base sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2 of the Sequence Listing.

Abstract: A method for screening an apoptosis inhibitor characterized by screening a candidate via an effect on PGT. A cell protecting agent containing as the active ingredient a substance which can be incorporated into cells via prostaglandin transporter (PGT); and a screening method therefor comprising measuring the uptake into cells via PGT. An apoptosis inducer containing as the active ingredient a substance having a PGT inhibitory effect; and a screening method therefor comprising measuring the ability to induce apoptosis of cells with the expression of PGT. Because of having a cell apoptosis inhibitory effect, the cell protecting agent is useful as a nerve cell apoptosis inhibitor, a nerve cell protecting agent, etc. and applicable to the prevention or treatment of nervous diseases, etc. The apoptosis inducer is useful in preventing and/or treating diseases in association with cell proliferation such as tumor, etc.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent for spinal canal stenosis is provided, which contains a pyridazinone compound of the formula (I) wherein R1, R2 and R3 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl, X is a halogen atom, a cyano or a hydrogen atom, Y is a halogen atom, a trifluoromethyl or a hydrogen atom, and A is a C1-C8 alkylene optionally substituted with a hydroxyl, or its pharmacologically acceptable salt.

Abstract: A method for increasing the placental blood flow, which comprises administering a human-originated antithrombin-III. The human-originated antithrombin-III increases the placental blood flow in mammals and particularly improves intrauterine growth retardation caused by a decreased blood flow. The method is highly safe to the mother and fetus, since it uses human-originated AT-III as an active ingredient, thereby enabling effective and safe treatment of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and the like.

Abstract: A therapeutic and prophylactic agent for peptic ulcers which contains as an active ingredient a compound of the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents hydrogen or .dbd.O; R.sub.2 represents hydrogen or --OR.sub.5 ; R.sub.3 represents hydrogen or --OR.sub.5 ; R.sub.4 represents --OR.sub.7 in the case of the absence of double bond; R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 each represents hydrogen or an organic residue;X represents group (A);.dbd.C.dbd.CH--COR.sub.8 (A)or group (B): ##STR2## wherein R.sub.8 represents alkyl, and R.sub.9 and R.sub.10 each represents hydrogen or an organic residue; with the proviso that when X represents group (A), then R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 both represent hydrogen, R.sub.2 represents --OR.sub.5, R.sub.4 represents OR.sub.7 and the bond between the carbon atom to which X is attached and the carbon atom to which R.sub.4 is attached is a single bond, and when X represents group (B), then R.sub.1 represents .dbd.O, R.sub.2 represents hydrogen, R.sub.3 represents --OR.sub.

Abstract: A therapeutic and prophylactic agent for peptic ulcers comprising as an effective ingredient a cyclohexane derivative represented by general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein A represents a group shown by formula, >CH.sub.2, ##STR2## wherein X represents ethynylene, vinylene or ethylene, Y represents oxo or a hydroxy group; R.sup.1, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 each represents a hydrogen atom or alkyl; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom, alkyl or a group shown by --OR.sup.8 ;R.sup.6 represents a hydrogen atom, oxo or a group shown by --OR.sup.8 ; and R.sup.7 represents a hydrogen atom or a group shown by --OR.sup.8, wherein R.sup.8 represents a hydrogen atom or an organic residue.

Abstract: A therapeutic and prophylactic agent for peptic ulcers which contains as an active ingredient a compound of the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents hydrogen or =O; R.sub.2 represents hydrogen or --OR.sub.5 ; R.sub.3 represents hydrogen or --OR.sub.6 ; R.sub.4 represents --OR.sub.7 in the case of the absence of double bond; R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 each represents hydrogen or an organic residue;X represents group (A):.dbd.C.dbd.CH--COR.sub.8 (A)or group (B): ##STR2## wherein R.sub.8 represents alkyl, and R.sub.9 and R.sub.10 each represents hydrogen or an organic residue; with the proviso that when X represents group (A), then R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 both represent hydrogen, R.sub.2 represents --OR.sub.5 ; R.sub.4 represents OR.sub.7 and the bond between the carbon atoms to which X is attached and the carbon atom to which R.sub.4 is attached is a single bond, and when X represents group (B), then R.sub.1 represents .dbd.O, R.sub.2 represents hydrogen, R.sub.3 represents --OR.sub.

Abstract: A curative and preventive agent for ulcers of digestive organs comprising as the main constituent an active component having anti-ulcer activity derived from a hot-water, an alcohol or a water-alcohol mixed solution extract of cassia buds.