Abstract: Provided are: method of producing a sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer by reducing the molecular weight of proanthocyanidin in plants so that they can be readily absorbed through the intestine of an organism; and a health food composition and a pharmaceutical composition which contain the resultant sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer as an active ingredient and which are useful for treating and preventing various lifestyle-related diseases and brain diseases caused by generation of active oxygen species as well as for preventing aging.

Abstract: Provided are: method of producing a sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer by reducing the molecular weight of proanthocyanidin in plants so that they can be readily absorbed through the intestine of an organism; and a health food composition and a pharmaceutical composition which contain the resultant sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer as an active ingredient and which are useful for treating and preventing various lifestyle-related diseases and brain diseases caused by generation of active oxygen species as well as for preventing aging.

Abstract: Provided are: method of producing a sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer by reducing the molecular weight of proanthocyanidin in plants so that they can be readily absorbed through the intestine of an organism; and a health food composition and a pharmaceutical composition which contain the resultant sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer as an active ingredient and which are useful for treating and preventing various lifestyle-related diseases and brain diseases caused by generation of active oxygen species as well as for preventing aging.

Abstract: The invention relates to sense oligonucleotide having a sequence complementary to a single-stranded RNA (antisense transcript) having a sequence complementary to mRNA of iNOS gene in order to control expression of iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase). The sense oligonucleotide of the present invention can control expression of iNOS and is useful for biological defense and treatment and prevention of diseases related to excessive production of NO, such as cancerogenesis, inflammatory disease, endotoxin shock by bacterial infection and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of intracellularly controlling amounts of gene products, which can increase an amount of gene product intracellularly, comprising a step of introducing into the cell a substance having a sequence complementary to the base sequence of mRNA corresponding to the gene product, its precursor or another substance which can have equivalent action in the cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition containing as its main component proanthocyanidin oligomer to which a substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure has been bonded, and reduced in the molecular weight, which is obtained by heating plant materials containing proanthocyanidin polymer or extract thereof with a substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure in an acidic aqueous solution, production method thereof, and uses of the composition in health products and pharmaceutical products. According to the invention, proanthocyanidin oligomer having physiological activity, to which a substance having a phloroglucinol ring structure or resorcinol ring structure has been bonded and reduced in the molecular weight to such a level that the oligomer can be absorbed into living body, which has been conventionally difficult to obtain at high yield from plant raw materials, can be produced efficiently and easily.

Abstract: The invention relates to a health food and a pharmaceutical preparation, containing a composition for treating rheumatoid arthritis. The health food and pharmaceutical preparation in which glucosamine, a collagen and an isoflavone aglycone act synergically, which are useful for relieving symptoms or treatment of diseases related to abnormal cartilage metabolism, especially rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: A glucoside containing isomaltol represented by formula (I): (wherein Sug represents a glucose residue or a sugar linkage composed of two or more glucose units) as an aglycon, a physiologically active substance containing the glucoside having human cytokine inducing ability increasing activity, a method for producing it, and food, medicine and feedstuff containing the substance.

Abstract: A composition including an extract of buckwheat seed and a fractionation product of the extract of buckwheat seed useful for the prevention and therapy of aging is disclosed. The composition prevents, treats and improves aging phenomena such as the symptoms of Alzheimer's syndrome and pathological lesions of the brain. Further, the composition activates and improves the function of a brain including the ability to learn, memorize, and think, as well as providing other physiological benefits.

Abstract: A glucoside containing isomaltol represented by formula (I): (wherein Sug represents a glucose residue or a sugar linkage composed of two or more glucose units) as an aglycon, a physiologically active substance containing the glucoside having human cytokine inducing ability increasing activity, a method for producing it, and food, medicine and feedstuff containing the substance.

Abstract: A composition including an extract of buckwheat seed and a fractionation product of the extract of buckwheat seed useful for the prevention and therapy of aging is disclosed. The composition prevents, treats and improves aging phenomena such as the symptoms of Alzheimer's syndrome and pathological lesions of the brain. Further, the composition activates and improves the function of a brain including the ability to learn, memorize, and think, as well as providing other physiological benefits.

Abstract: A novel polysaccharide comprising (1->4) bonded .alpha.-D-glucose units represented by the following formula ##STR1## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or an acetyl group in a ratio of 7:3 is extracted and isolated from a liquid culture medium of a microorganism belonging to the class Basidiomycetes in the presence of a plant tissue extract. About 30% by mole of hydroxyl groups at the 2,3-positions of each unit is acetylated and the polysaccharide has a molecular weight of 500 to 10,000. The polysaccharide has properties of biological response modifiers (BRM) and is useful as an immuno-enhancing agent or immuno-activator.