Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of processing a fat-containing bean, e.g., cocoa beans, for producing solids comprising active polyphenols and/or fat-containing products, comprising extracting the fat to produce solids and fat-containing products. Additionally, the inventive method also provides cocoa compositions comprising at least one active polyphenol, wherein the concentration of the polyphenol(s) with respect to the nonfat solids is conserved with respect to the concentration of the active polyphenol(s) in the bean from which the compositions are derived.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting or preventing the growth of tumor cells is disclosed. In one embodiment, this method comprises the step of administering a compound selected from the group consisting of citracetal, citral dimethyl acetal, citral diethyl acetal, geranyl benzoate, geranyl tiglate, geranyl anthranilate, farnesyl benzoate, farnesyl anthranilate, farnesyl tiglate, farnesyl acetate and combinations thereof to a human tumor patient, wherein the amount is effective to reduce or inhibit tumor growth by at least 50%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions of cactus fruit extract which are dried to a powder form for use in food products and nutritional supplements. The novel powders of the present invention may be used in food products and drinks as well as capsules or tablets.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a test microorganism is a known microorganism, involving use of an agent that specifically affects the growth of the known microorganism. The invention also features a method of identifying E. coli O157:H7 that are based on the following criteria: a test microorganism is E. coli O157:H7 if the microorganism is (i) E. coli, (ii) incapable of fermenting sorbitol, and (iii) susceptible to infection by AR1 phage.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a stable, homogenous extract of plants or plant parts is disclosed. The process comprises mixing and extracting the plants or plant parts charged in a fresh and/or dried state with at least one solvent and at least one agent (having various disclosed properties), then filtering insoluble compounds to obtain a filtrate which is substantially free of secondary reaction products and contains a native compound mixture. The filtrate is concentrated to a spissum extract and the pressure used for the concentration is adjusted according to the vapor pressure of the solvent(s).

Abstract: A therapeutic composition comprising oregano oil, laurel oil, and myrtle oil useful in alleviating pain and discomfort associated with arthritis, migraines, bronchitis, soft tissue injuries, muscle aches and pains and neck and back pains and strains in humans, as well as upper respiratory, joint and shin ailments in animals.

Abstract: A patient replica is created from layered culture medium where solid culture medium is formed so that a discontinuity exists, for example, between layers of culture medium or between culture medium and the container holding the medium. An injection port is provided in registration with the discontinuity so that a sample of patient blood can be infused into the discontinuity to form a thin layer of blood in contact with a surface of culture medium. The thin layer of blood obviates the requirement for any anticoagulant allowing blood-borne pathogens to be readily cultured without using broth. Further antibiotics or other drug samples may be placed on an exposed surface of the culture medium above the blood layer so that the antibiotic can diffuse through the culture medium and reveal the sensitivities of the cultured pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for eliminating effectively ATP in a sample, using adenosine phosphate deaminase alone or in combination with at least one enzyme from the group consisting of apyrase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, hexokinase and adenosine triphosphatase, a process for determining biological cells contained in foods and beverages in convenient and precise manner in combination with bioluminescence method, and a reagent for the determination thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to potentiating insulin activity in a patient in need thereof. This invention provides a composition comprising an insulin potentiating agent; such composition comprises one or more substance derived from a water extract of Polygonum multiflorum, Agaricaceae, or Cinnamomum mairei. This invention also provides a method for treating hyperglycemia in a patient by administering to the patient an insulin potentiating agent. The method can be used to decrease blood glucose and/or glycosylated hemoglobin and/or glucose level.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal mucus from patients suffering from cystic fibrosis has been found to contain large amounts of chondroitin sulfate polymer. This finding indicates that the enzyme chondroitinase is useful for preventing gastrointestinal mucus from accumulating in cystic fibrosis patients, and subjects suffering from other diseases or conditions characterized by excess mucus secretion.

Abstract: The invention provides a herbal formulation useful as a therapeutic and cosmetic applications for the treatment of general skin disorders, the composition comprising at least two or more plant extracts in the form of oil or powder or mixtures thereof, the plant extracts being selected from the group consisting of Gymnena sylvestrae water extract 3 to 6 wt. %; Tridax procumbens water extract 3 to 6 wt. %; its methanolic extract 4 to 6 wt. %, Allium sativum oil hexane extract 1 to 3 wt. %; dried juice of Aloe vera 2 to 6 wt. %; Gum Olibanum powder in the natural form 4 to 7 wt. %; Gum Olibanum resinoid organic solvent extract 3 to 8 wt. %; and resinoid free Gum Olibanum meal 5 to 10 wt. %., optionally, including any drug having anti-inflammatory and wound healing property or mixture thereof, the drug being selected from the group consisting of Disclofenac sodium 1-3 wt. %, Salicyclic acid 1 to 4 wt. %, Piroxicam 1 to 2 wt. %, Turmeric powder 0.1 to 1 wt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of medical management for men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), involving combination therapy of an &agr;1-adrenergic antagonist, i.e., terazosin in combination with a phytotherapeutic agent, Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) extract. The combination provides relief from both dynamic and mechanical obstructive effects of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Therapeutic compositions useful for such treatment and pharmaceutical-nutraceutical kits containing such compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cosmetic products having whitening effect, which contains fractionated extracts of Ramulus mori (Marus) extracts. According to the present invention, an aqueous suspension of the Ramulus mori extracts, which have been obtained by extracting young twig of plants belonged to Morus Genus with water or an organic solvent, is solvent-fractionation-extracted to obtain a fractionated extracts of Ramulus mori extracts, which is then added to conventional skin-care cosmetics to give whitening cosmetics having excellent whitening effect.

Abstract: A novel extract from the root of Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's Claw) which contains high levels of the compound harpagoside and a method for producing the extract.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of natural extracts of algae for the preparation of a product meant to prevent and to treat skin diseases. The invention also relates to natural extracts of algae meant to prevent and to treat these diseases. Said use of natural extracts of algae consists in using concentrated extracts of algae of the chlorella type. The invention especially applies to diseases such as skin rashes or allergic reactions to cosmetic compositions.

Abstract: A composition providing an all-natural, non-surgical preventative of or improvement to disorders of the prostate gland is described. The invention relates to a composition for the prevention of or improvement of prostatitis, and for relieving symptoms and improving objective signs of prostatitis. The formula of the composition preferably includes the following ingredients each in a therapeutically effective amount: Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, zinc, glycine, L-alanine, Glutamic acid, Saw palmetto, Pygeum extract, Pumpkin seed, Stinging nettle, Echinacea, garlic, Ginkgo leaves, and selenium.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of preparing storage stable aqueous Azadirachtin containing Azadirachtin A to provide a predominant pesticidal composition which comprises the steps of diluting 50,000-100,000 ppm Azadirachtin with 25,000 to 50,000 Azadirachtin A weight/volume with ethanol water solvent in a ratio in the range 100-70:0-30 volume/volume to produce 2,000-40,000 ppm Azadirachtin containing 1,000-20,000 ppm of Azadirachtin A weight/volume. This is followed by emulsifying of the diluted Azadirachtin with non-ionic and non-toxic emulsifying agents in an amount ranging from 0.2 to 30% and neem oil 20-50% volume/volume. The pH of the emulsified diluted Azadirachtin is adjusted to 3.5 to 6.0 by adding an alkali solution. 1-2.5% of a sunscreen like p.aminobenzoic acid or its esters and 1-10% oleic acid volume/volume are added to create a micro-emulsion for stabilizing the composition with a good bio-efficacy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an elemental liquid nutritional product useful for providing nutrition to a patient having a malabsorption condition by enterally feeding to the patient a nutritionally effective amount of the liquid nutritional products of the present invention. One nutritional product of the present invention includes a protein system in which at least 65 w/w % of said proteins have a molecular weight of less than 5,000 daltons. The proteins system includes soy protein hydrolysate, and partially hydrolyzed caseinate. The preferred products further include a structured lipid formed from marine oil and medium chain triglyceride oil. Palatability of elemental nutritional products has been improved by keeping caloric density in a range from 0.60 kcal/ml to about 1.05 kcal/ml and incorporating sufficient amounts of selected palatability enhancers.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for the treatment and/or prevention of hair loss and methods for the regeneration or restoration of hair growth comprising a step of identifying an individual suffering from or susceptible to hair loss or hair thinning or in need of hair regeneration, and a step of administering an extract of the root of a Vetiver grass. Preferably, the extract is an aqueous extract and is administered topically. Also preferably, the Vetiver grass is a subspecies of Vetiveria zizanioides, and is most preferably Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash. The present invention also provides a composition, preferably in the from of a lotion, gel, cream, or other suspension, and a distinct chemical compound or class of chemical compounds therein, effective in restoring hair growth, preventing hair loss, and/or reversing the effects of hair thinning.

Abstract: A cosmetic skin-care composition containing as the active principle a depigmentationally active combination of (a) an acidic mixture including (i) at least one &agr;-hydroxylated acid or a derivative thereof, with the exception of ascorbic acid, and (ii) at least one compound selected from the group which consists of kojic acid, caffeic acid, azelaic acid, aminobutyric acid, fusaric acid, 5-hydroxy 2-hydroxymethyl-&ggr;-pyridone, and derivatives thereof, and (b) at least one active component of a plant extract from at least one plant selected from white mulberry, liquorice, skull cap, grapefruit, birch, heather, strawberry tree, bearberry, lemon, lettuce, oarweed, cucumber, ginseng, hop, sweet corn, feverfew, sage, soya, elder, spirulina, lime, ferocious aloe, yukinoshita, bloodwort, hoelen, wood rose, &agr;-orizanol, burnet, ginkgo biloba, tanlex VB and Eclipsa alba, with the proviso that when the composition contains kojic acid and a liquorice extract, it contains at least one other plant extract component.