Abstract: The present invention is based on a plurality of benefits from the extracts of mycelia of individual fungal species, and mixtures of species, to provide an armamentarium of defenses from multiple stressors in order to help bees survive a complex of symptoms collectively called colony collapse disorder (CCD). More particularly, the present invention utilizes specific concentrations of extracts from pure cultured mycelium from mushroom forming fungi to reduce harmful viruses in bees and to increase the longevity of bees.

Abstract: Disclosed are a pharmaceutical composition and a health functional food for the prevention and treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, comprising an herb extract of a mixture of 3.5:1 Dioscorea Rhizoma:Dioscorea nipponica (w/w). Having the ability to synergistically increase in vivo levels of nerve growth factor, compared to the extracts from the herbs alone or herb mixtures of other weight ratios, the mixed herb extract is effective for preventing the apoptosis of nerve cells and promoting nerve regeneration. Thus, it can be applied to pharmaceutical compositions and health functional foods preventive and curative of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Abstract: A biotherapeutic anti-inflammatory composition, its method of manufacture and method of treatment of various diseases, the composition having an efficacious amount of solid sour cherry seed extract and sour cherry seed oil sufficient to inhibit production of disease-associated inflammatory cytokines by CD3+ T lymphocytes in a vertebrate mammal.

Abstract: A fractionation process for producing value-added products from a lignocellulosic biomass, comprises: a) mechanically refining the lignocellulosic biomass under mild refining conditions to form a refined biomass pulp with enhanced susceptibility to separation of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, and enhanced digestibility of carbohydrates in hydrolysis b) separating hemicellulose and sulfur-free high-quality lignin from cellulose in the refined biomass, and, optionally c) producing various bioproducts from the above said process.

Abstract: Tobacco products comprising smokeless tobacco products and active ingredients, including those that antagonize nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, the TRPV1 channel, and/or the TRPA1 channel are disclosed. Nicotine replacement therapies comprising active ingredients, including those that antagonize nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, the TRPV1 channel, and/or the TRPA1 channel. The active ingredient may reduce or eliminate sensory irritation arising due to use of the product. Analgesic compositions comprising active ingredients. Methods of reducing taste and sensory irritation by employing an active ingredient.

Abstract: Methods of producing a Hydrophilic Homeopathic Aqueous Substance Active (HASA)-gel matrix, include the steps of: (a) combining a homeopathic compound and an uninhibited aqueous composition to produce a HASA; (b) combining the HASA with at least one hydrophilic gelling agent; and (c) thereafter, forming the hydrophilic HASA-gel matrix by use of at least one of a thickening agent, a crosslinking agent, or a polymerization agent.

Abstract: Glycine, threonine, and serine can enhance the sensitivity of bacteria to serum, plasma, or whole blood, and therefore can be used as molecules to improve the bactericidal effect of the serum, the plasma, or the whole blood.

Abstract: The compositions described herein and featured in the present invention include those that comprise anthocyanidin combinations rich in delphinidins, including delphinidins such as the ones found in berries. The compositions can optionally include either compositions that comprise andrographolides, such as the ones found in a plant of the genus Andrographis, or compositions that comprise combinations of myrtillin, quercetin, or caffeoyl quinic derivatives and proanthocyanidins, such as the ones found in the herba of a plant of the genus Vaccinium.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of preparing a buccal delivery system for treating digestive distress comprising heating a sugar base to lower the water content to about less than or equal to 5 wt. %, removing the sugar base from the heat source, adding the non-volatile ginger extract having at least 10% gingerol by weight, adding the gingerol active to the hot sugar matrix and converting it into a ratio of gingerol and shogaol, ambient cooling the base to a malleable form in which individual dosages are shaped, wherein the gingerol and shogoals are present in an amount and ratio of from 2:1 to 10:1 gingerol to shogoals; where the gingerol and newly formed shogaols are immediately released; and where the typical dosage of the combination is in the range of about 1.0 to 5.4 g.

Abstract: A shampoo, conditioner, cream, ointment or other topical treatment includes an active herbal combination of Sheng Di Huang, Da Huang and Jin Yin Hua for treating eczema, and/or another skin or scalp disorder.

Abstract: Nutritional supplements comprising individual quantities of turmeric, Peganum harmala, and Arum palaestinum are provided, which promote several aspects of human health. Advantageously, the turmeric is present in an amount greater than that of Peganum harmala or Arum palaestinum, and the supplements may contain additional beneficial ingredients, such as ?-sitosterol, vanillin, garlic, and Vitamin C.

Abstract: A composition containing cinnamon extract is provided to increase lean muscle mass in a subject. Also described is a method of increasing lean muscle mass in a subject through the administration of the cinnamon extract. In some aspects, a daily dose of 10-1,000 mg of the cinnamon extract supplement is administered to the subject for a period of 6 weeks to 6 months.

Abstract: A honey based composition is described. The composition includes a mixture of honey, a short chain fatty alcohol and a fatty ester or wax. The composition has applications for use in wound dressings and in one embodiment may be a gel. The composition has a higher than expected storage stability, remaining stable for many weeks when held at elevated temperatures and retains all of the other desirable characteristics including anti-microbial activity.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an extract is obtained from the Globularia genus is obtained from a plant of the genus Globularia and is used for a non-therapeutic cosmetic treatment of the skin and/or appendages. Preferably the species is Globularia cordifolia and the extract is obtained by in vitro plant culture. The extract can be used for preventing and/or treating skin ageing by stimulating the reactions of detoxification and cellular regeneration through a hormetic type response, for improving the transparency and radiance of complexion, for preventing or treating sensitive and reactive skins, for preventing or treating rednesses, for preventing protein glycation, for increasing and/or maintaining the number of dermal stem cells, for increasing and/or maintaining the dermal macromolecules, in particular collagen and elastin, for increasing the volume of the dermis, for preventing and/or treating fines lines and wrinkles, for firming skin, for preventing hair loss and/or stimulating hair regrowth.

Abstract: Devices for guided tissue regeneration (GTR) include a matrix of chitosan and mutable collagenous tissue (MCT) wherein the chitosan is electrostatically bonded to the MCT to form MCT-chitosan composite material. The MCT can be isolated from invertebrate marine organisms, such as sponges, jellyfish, mollusks and echinoderms. The MCT-chitosan composite material can be formulated as a biofilm, a 3D-sponge, a hydrogel, or as an electrospun nanofiber, or the MCT-chitosan composite material can coat a biomaterial surface. The devices can include wound dressings and tissue sponges, including 3D sponges. Applications include tissue engineering and wound healing, as well as burns and other related guided tissue regeneration applications. MCT and MCT-chitosan composite material, contained in a pharmaceutically acceptable topical carrier, also has cosmeceutical applications, for treating scars, as well as skin discoloration and various pigmentation issues, including melasma/chloasma.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods for the purification of protein-enriched extracts to provide concentrates and isolates and methods for incorporation of such materials into products. The purification methods are adapted for removal of nicotine and may have other benefits, e.g., lightening the color of the protein-enriched extracts. The methods generally include treatment with peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide and filtrations. A protein composition in the form of a concentrate or isolate is provided, the protein composition including RuBisCO, F2 fraction proteins, or combination thereof extracted from a plant of the Nicotiana species, wherein the protein composition is characterized by relatively low nicotine content.

Abstract: A method of obtaining vitamin D from shiitake includes a) adding ethanol to shiitake powder, followed by reflux extraction, to prepare a shiitake extract; and (b) irradiating ultraviolet (UV) light to the shiitake extract prepared in step (a). When shiitake extracts are obtained and exposed to ultraviolet light under specific conditions, the content of vitamin D2 in the shiitake extracts may be increased.

Abstract: An extract of a liquid culture of Ganoderma lucidum is provided. The production process encourages the growing mycelium to export bioactive compounds such as beta glucans into the surrounding liquid. Thus, the beta glucan is soluble and easily absorbed. More importantly, the production process allows the beta glucan to retain its triple helix structure which is required to maintain a very high bioactive efficacy. The beta glucans from Ganoderma lucidum can be used in a cream for treatment of psoriasis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition and a health functional food for preventing or improving neurodegenerative disorders comprising mixed herb extracts of Dioscorea Rhizoma and Dioscorea nipponica in a weight ratio of 3.5:1 (w/w). The herb extracts mixed Dioscorea Rhizoma and Dioscorea nipponica in a weight ratio of 3.5:1 have the synergetic effects on increasing the amount of nerve growth factor in vivo, increasing the neural cell proliferation, promoting the formation of neuritis and enhancing cognitive abilities. Thus, the herb extracts of the present invention may be used for a pharmaceutical composition and a health functional food for preventing or treating neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: A method for disinfecting and sterilizing an animal tissue material and a corresponding soak solution for an animal tissue. The method includes placing the animal tissue material into an alkaline soak solution containing a metal peroxide and a detergent, and shaking; removing organic components released from microorganisms and animal tissue cells by soaking and washing in a neutral cleaning solution; washing the tissue matrix with a weak acidic cleaning solution; cryopreserving or freeze-drying the tissue matrix in a neutral solution. The soak solution for the animal tissue contains 0.01˜0.2% (w/v) of the metal peroxide and 0.05˜1.0% (w/v) of the detergent. The animal tissue pretreated by the method is advantageous to the preservation and further decellularization treatment of the tissue for manufacture of an intact scaffold material of a tissue matrix.