Abstract: This invention relates generally to formulations and methods for improving level of moisture absorption and retention by the skin and for improving the appearance, feel, or comfort of the skin, wherein the formulations comprise pure rainwater. In another embodiment of the invention, the formulations comprise a combination of natural extracts. The present invention is a formulation made substantially without the use of synthetic chemicals and petroleum by-products, wherein the formulation is used for personal care. More specifically, the present invention is a skin care product formulation wherein 90% or more of the ingredients are natural products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus of extraction with the use of vacuum and can be used to extract the bioactive agents from raw materials. The method of extraction of materials, includes the heating the extractant, the preliminary extraction of raw materials with the heated rollers by means of extractant, the impregnation of raw material with extractant and extraction of raw materials in vacuum-impulsive mode by cycles, which include the heating with hot coolant gas not exceeding 39° C. and a creation of vacuum in the chamber in the regime of quick vacuum-impulsive exposure with stepwise multiple pressure drop from the atmospheric pressure to the pressure not more 0.0001 MPa, followed by keeping under vacuum to stabilize the temperature of the mixture and the vacuum relief at the end of the cycle. The distilled water, or organic solvents or mixtures thereof are used as the extractants.

Abstract: A method of growing cells on a droplet actuator is provided. The method may include providing a droplet actuator including a cell culture droplet including a cell culture medium and one or more cells; and maintaining the droplet at a temperature suitable for causing the cells to grow in the cell culture medium on the droplet actuator. Related methods, droplet actuators, and systems are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a perfume composition including grapefruit oil and bergamot oil and further including one or more selected from a group consisting of pine oil, lemon oil, cypress oil, rose oil and armoise oil. The perfume composition is useful in the field of beauty care, cosmetics, or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating mammals with HIV/AIDS comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising an extract of Rubia cordifolia. The extract is preferably an alcohol extract, an aqueous extract, or mixtures thereof. The alcohol preferably comprises ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to methods and supplements for improving the health of human beings.

Abstract: A method of improving health in a canine includes administering to the canine a nutritional supplement comprising an amino acid secretagogue composition, which stimulates the pituitary gland of the canines to produce growth hormone. The nutritional supplement may be administered orally. The nutritional supplement may comprise L-arginine hydrochloride, Oxo-proline, L-lysine hydrochloride, and cysteine. When desired, the nutritional supplement may consist essentially of L-arginine hydrochloride, Oxo-proline, L-lysine hydrochloride, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, L-glutamine, and schizonepeta powder.

Abstract: The invention discloses an herbal composition of treating uterine fibroid. The herbal composition comprises Antrodia cinnamomea, Astragalus membranaceus, and Leonurus japonicus; wherein the weight percentages of Antrodia cinnamomea, Astragalus membranaceus and Leonurus japonicus are 25 to 75%, 20.8 to 62.5% and 4.2 to 12.5% by weight of the formula, respectively. The invention also discloses a method of treating uterine fibroid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to process for reducing the endotoxin content of a sample of fermentation broth containing polysialic acid and endotoxin comprising the sequential steps: (i) adding to the sample a base having a pKa of at least 12 to form a basic solution having a pH of at least 12, incubating the solution for a pre-determined time at a pre-determined temperature; and (ii) recovery of PSA, suitably by (iii) passing the sample through an anion-exchange column whereby polysialic acid is absorbed on the ion exchange resin; (iv) washing the column with one washing buffer, whereby polysialic acid remains absorbed on the ion exchange resin; and (v) eluting the polysialic acid from the column using an elution buffer to provide a product solution of polysialic acid having reduced endotoxin content.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for preparing sulfated psyllium derivatives for use to reduce the risk of chronic human diseases. The sulfation of psyllium was carried out with sulfur, trioxide, pyridine, dimethylformamide and chlorosulfonic acid in pyridine. Six total sulfated psyllium derivatives named SP1, SP2, SP3, SPR1, SPR2, and SPR3 were prepared and evaluated for their morphological and rheological properties, and bile acid-binding abilities. The invention offers a novel approach to obtaining sulfated psyllium derivatives for use in functional foods or supplemental and pharmaceutical products to increase health benefits.

Abstract: A melt-processed protein composition formed from a protein, plasticizer, and an electrophilic reagent is provided. The electrophilic reagent, for instance, may be selected to undergo a nucleophilic addition reaction with free sulfhydryl and/or thiyl radicals to help minimize the formation of disulfide crosslinking bonds that could otherwise lead to protein aggregation during melt processing. To enhance the degree to which the electrophilic reagent can limit crosslinking, a plasticizer is also employed that helps to mediate the adsorption of the electrophilic reagent into the internal structure of the protein, where it can be more stably retained. Furthermore, the temperature and shear rate employed during melt blending may also be selected to be relatively low to help limit polypeptide dissociation, thereby minimizing the impact of aggregation and embrittlement.

Abstract: A composition can include: silene extract; and a carrier having the silene extract. The composition can include an active agent, such as a pharmaceutical or a nutraceutical. The composition can be in a form of a solid, paste, gel, gum, or combination thereof. The carrier can facilitate retention in the mouth, chewing, sucking, holding in the lip next to the gums, or other non-liquid format. A method can provide an alternative to an activity that reduces desire to perform the activity, the method can include: administering to a subject in need thereof the composition having silene. The method can include administering the composition in an effective amount to treat one or more of smoking dependence, tobacco withdrawal symptoms, and tobacco dependence in the subject, wherein the activity is smoking.

Abstract: The Convolvulus extract for treating peptic ulcer and Helicobacter pylori infection is an ethanolic extract from C. pilosellifolius. The extract is prepared by homogenizing Convolvulus pilosellifolius aerial plant parts to prepare a powder, percolating the powder with an organic solvent to prepare a suspension, filtering the suspension to obtain a filtrate, and obtaining the extract as a dry powder by drying the solvent under reduced pressure from the filtrate. The active ingredient in the extract is a compound that was isolated from the extract of C. pilosellifolius as a purified triterpene using silica gel column chromatography, the compound being named: 2-propoxyethyl 13-(4-ethoxy-4-oxobutyl)-6b,8a12b,14a-tetramethyl-5,6,6a,6b,7,8,8a,9,10,11,12,12a,12b,14a-tetradecahydropicene-2-carboxylate. Both the extract and the isolated active ingredient exhibit anti-ulcerogenic activity, and disk diffusion tests show that various strains of H. pylori are susceptible to both the extract and the active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention proposes methods for obtaining concentrated polyphenol extracts resulting from the stirring process, through a step in which a partially purified beer is placed into contact with a resin that adsorbs the polyphenols, followed by a step in which the polyphenols adsorbed onto said resin are recovered. The invention also relates to the extracts thus obtained, which feature remarkable properties, as well as to several applications for these extracts.

Abstract: Provided are bioactive compounds and metabolites derived from Chromobacterium species culture responsible for controlling pests, compositions containing these compounds, methods for obtaining these compounds and methods of using these compounds and compositions for controlling pests.

Abstract: In the present invention, a method of inhibiting fatty liver disease is disclosed. The method comprises administrating an effective amount of an extract of Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa to a subject in need thereof at a dosage of 150 to 600 mg for per kilogram per day of the subject in need, lasting for 4 weeks. The extract of Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa is obtained by extracting roots of Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa through a process of supercritical fluid extraction, water extraction, or organic solvent extraction. A preparation method of the extract of Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa is also disclosed in the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an extract isolated from Sophorae Radix useful for prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical drug comprising the Sophorae Radix extract having excellent effects of inhibiting airway contraction, respiratory infections, 5-lipoxygenase activity, phosphodiesterase 4 activity, airway hyper-responsiveness and airway remodeling; antagonistic activity against leukotriene D4; and an antitussive effect, thus being useful for prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma, acute or chronic bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, acute upper respiratory infections and acute lower respiratory infections, and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an extract containing at least 40% (m/m) of polyphenols from Cistus creticus L., said method comprising the following steps: plant parts are extracted from Cistus creticus L. using an extraction agent selected from the group comprising water, alcohols and mixtures thereof; the extraction residues are removed; the extraction agent is at least partially removed; redissolution is carried out in an aqueous solvent and the undissolved constituents are removed; and selective enriching is carried out by means of either a) a two-phase extraction, and b) a membrane filtration.

Abstract: This invention disclosed is a tangerine peel extract with the effect of weight gain. This extract uses tangerine peel as the raw ingredient and is obtained through extraction processes using supercritical CO2, water, or organic solvents. The resulting extraction component contains a large quantity of flavonoids and terpenoids, which can effectively regulate the function of the spleen and stomach leading to desired weight gain. This invention also declares the preparation methods of the above mentioned tangerine peel extraction, which is simple in technique and highly effective in extraction. This invention also further declares the application of the above mentioned tangerine peel extraction in preparing healthcare food with the function of gaining weight.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for repelling biting midges, sand flies, and mosquitoes comprising applying to human skin compositions comprising neem oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and monoi oil. This composition is non toxic to mammals, marine vertebrates or invertebrates and other forms of aquatic life.