Abstract: The invention concerns a peptide extract of lupine (lupinus) characterised in that it has a metalloprotease inhibiting activity, in particular collagenase and gelatinase. The invention also concerns a pharmaceutical, cosmetic or nutritional composition comprising a peptide extract, optionally an inert carrier, in particular for treating humans or mammals suffering from a condition or disease related to excessive degeneration of support by a metalloprotease.

Abstract: A method for reducing the formation of and/or treating skin stretchmarks is described. The method is characterized in that a composition is applied to the areas of skin liable to form or comprising stretchmarks, including skin of the thighs, abdomen, and/or breast. The applied composition includes a soya peptide, a tripeptide consisting of the amino acids glycine, histidine, and lysine, and/or mixtures of the soya peptide and tripeptide in a suitable application vehicle. The composition displays good skin tolerance.

Abstract: The invention concerns a peptide extract of lupine (lupinus) characterised in that it has a metalloprotease inhibiting activity, in particular collagenase and gelatinase. The invention also concerns a pharmaceutical, cosmetic or nutritional composition comprising a peptide extract, optionally an inert carrier, in particular for treating humans or mammals suffering from a condition or disease related to excessive degeneration of support by a metalloprotease.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of at least one unsaponifiable component of vegetable oil, in particular of avocado, soya bean and/or lupin oils, for the preparation of a medicament intended to stimulate the expression of TGF-62 or the expression of the plasminogen activator inhibitor PAI-1.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of at least one unsaponifiable component of vegetable oil, in particular of avocado, soya bean and/or lupin oils, for the preparation of a medicament intended to stimulate the expression of TGF-&bgr; or the expression of the plasminogen activator inhibitor PAI-1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a food additive including the nonsaponifiable matter of avocado oil, wherein the nonsaponifiable matter has a increased amount of the fraction termed "fraction H". This nonsaponifiable matter of avocado oil is prepared by a process wherein the avocado fruit is heat-treated at a temperature of 80.degree. C. to 120.degree. C. for not less than four hours before extracting the oil and obtaining the nonsaponifiable matter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing the nonsaponifiable matter of avocado oil from the fruit, wherein the nonsaponifiable matter of avocado oil is separated and its content in one of its fractions termed H is improved by carrying out the heat treatment of the fruit before extracting the oil at a temperature of 80.degree. C. to 120.degree. C. for not less than four hours.It also relates to the nonsaponifiable matter obtained by the process and to medicinal products, cosmetics and food additives containing it.

Abstract: Tufts of bristles (3) in a brush are resiliently retractable by thrusting against a membrane (5) which is capable of resilient spot deformation, with each tuft being retractable independently from the other tufts of the brush. Tufts are retracted into the brush in order to continuously match the envelope surface (18) defined by the free ends (15) of said tufts (3) to the shape of the surface to be brushed (17), and said matching takes place without substantial difference in the force applied to the various zones of said surface by the various tufts of bristles.

Abstract: A process of sterilization or decontamination of apparatus, characterized in that an aqueous solution containing at least 0.01% of a compound of the formula ##STR1## in which R represents a C.sub.5 -C.sub.14 n-alkyl radical in the form of the base or a salt thereof, is applied to the apparatus at a temperature in the range of 30.degree. to 120.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure.The process is suitable in particular for the sterilization of milk processing circulation equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to new chemical compounds and to processes for their preparation.The compounds according to the invention correspond to the formulaR--X--CH.sub.2 --CH(OH)--CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2 (I)in whichR is a saturated or unsaturated straight-chain C.sub.5 to C.sub.18 aliphatic radical and X represents --O--, --S--, --NH-- or --CH.sub.2 --,the salts, esters and quaternary alkyl ammonium salts of these compounds.These compounds may be used in particular as medicaments, as antiseptics, sterilizing agents and preservatives.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions the essential active ingredient of which is a biphenyl derivative, at least one of the phenyl nuclei of which has two adjacent hydroxyl groups, the two phenyl nuclei being separated by a carbon chain having one or two carbon atoms and in general, a double bend between two chain carbon atoms or between a chain carbon atom and a substituent thereof. The compositions are useful for the treatment of disorders of the blood micro-circulation.