Abstract: Compositions for inhibiting the formation of unwanted skin pigmentation combine high tyrosinase blocking capabilities with stability in cosmetic preparations, absence of significant cytotoxic effects and synergy of action. The active components of the compositions include extracts of certain selected plants, namely, mulberry, saxifrage, grape and scutellaria root; and, preferably, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). These ingredients are combined with various cosmetically acceptable carriers to produce cream and lotion formulations capable of whitening skin safely and effectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to microcapsules with a mixed wall of crosslinked atelocollagen and polyholosides, for example glycosaminoglycans, and to processes for the manufacture of the said microcapsules.According to the invention, the microcapsules comprise a mixed wall of crosslinked atelocollagen and polyholosides, for example glycosaminoglycans, the proportion of polyholosides, for example glycosaminoglycans, relative to the atelocollagen preferably being between 18 and 50% by weight. These microcapsules can be manufactured either by a process involving interfacial crosslinking or by the extrusion of a laminar flow which is broken up by vibrations into individual droplets, which fall into a crosslinking bath.These microcapsules are biocompatible by virtue of the presence of atelocollagen, which has most of the advantageous properties of collagen, namely a very low antigenicity and a perfect biodegradability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of cross-linking collagen. This process is of the type comprising the formation of amide bonds by means of acylazide groups and is characterized in that the collagen is reacted with diphenylphosphorylazide. The process according to the invention makes it possible to simplify the collagen cross-linking process and to adjust the degree of cross-linking at discretion without introducing any cross-linking agent.

Abstract: A new composition is disclosed which serves as a substitute for the bony matrix material present in bones. The new composition includes an association of collagen-hydroxy-apatite and a glycosaminoglycan. The concentration of the hydroxyapatite is preferably 15 to 25% and the concentration of the glycosaminoglycan is between 1 and 2% per liter of 1% collagen gel. The biomaterial product is useful in applications in reconstructive orthopedic surgery as a substitute for natural bone matrix material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for freeze-drying, said apparatus comprising freeze-drying shelves disposed inside a freeze-drying enclosure, on which may be placed products or solutions to be freeze-dried, which may be contained in open recipients, as well as cooling and/or heating means associated with and preferably incorporated in said shelves, wherein means forming a thermal shield are disposed between said freeze-drying shelves, thus making it possible to slow down the heat exchanges between the surface of the product to be freeze-dried and the heating and/or cooling elements associated with the shelves. More homogeneous freeze-dried products are obtained in this way.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of a collagen tube to be used as a vascular prostheses or nerve suture, including a cylindrical tubular spinneret having a feed end for an aqueous solution of collagen gel and a discharge end and a coagulant tube concentrically disposed in the spinneret with all around circumferential clearance and terminating upstream of the discharge wherein a tube of aqueous acid collagen gel is extruded through the clearance around the coagulant tube. The coagulant tube has its inner wall contacted with a coagulating solution emerging therefrom before the tube of aqueous collagen gel reaches the discharge end of the cylindrical tubular spinneret. The discharge end of the tubular spinneret terminates in a bath of coagulating solution and a bed is disposed in the bath to receive the extruded collagen tube from the end of the tubular spinneret. The tubular spinneret is capable of being displaced with respect to the bath.

Abstract: A process for preparing collagen tubes includes extruding an aqueous gel containing about 1.5% native collagen through a cylindrical spinneret equipped with a central concentric tube designed to receive a part of a coagulation bath, followed by coagulation of the internal and external walls of the tube, leaving the spinneret in a coagulation bath constituted by about 70% acetone and 30% ammonia, followed by drying. Following drying, the collagen tube may be subjected to reticulation by dehydration carried out at about 80.degree. C. under a pressure of about 0.1 mm of Hg (vacuum) for about 24 hours. The reticulated collagen tube may eventually be subjected to a treatment which permits the introduction of azide groups onto the molecule without requiring that the collagen be coupled to any external molecule.

Abstract: A new sustained-release, microencapsulated pharmaceutical composition is disclosed, suitable for oral administration which contains an effective amount of an orally-administered pharmaceutical in granular form wherein the granules are coated by a layer of homogeneous, native collagen to encapsulate the granules. Also disclosed is a method for administering the sustained-release compositions and a process for covering the granulated pharmaceutical with the layer of homogeneous, native collagen.

Abstract: Biocompatible reservoirs are constituted by collagen, optionally associated with mucopolysaccharides and/or gelatin; these reservoirs can be filled with an active principle which does not have to be mixed with collagen. The reservoirs can be employed to either hold or to emit one or more active principles in order to concentrate same and/or to distribute same at a controlled rate "in vitro" and/or "in vivo". The reservoirs thus are enclosed vessels of conseration of "in vitro" or "in vivo" cultures of cells, bacteria or viruses.

Abstract: A new process is disclosed for obtaining homogeneous layers of native collagen. Also disclosed is a new process for covering a support with a homogeneous layer of native collagen as well as supports covered thereby.