Abstract: To provide a method for producing a Hippocastanaceae plant seed extract which is less colored and is suitably incorporated into a composition such as a pharmaceutical product or a cosmetic composition. A method for producing a Hippocastanaceae plant seed extract, which includes removing hulls from seeds of a Hippocastanaceae plant, followed by extraction with a solvent.

Abstract: Provided are a VEGF production promoter, a hair quality improver, and an external preparation for skin, each of which has a VEGF production promoting activity and can be used as a pharmaceutical agent, a cosmetic, a food, or a material therefor. The VEGF production promoter, the hair quality improver, and the external preparation for skin each comprises, as an active ingredient, a cycloartane-type glycoside represented by the following general formula (1) (where R represents a xylose residue or an arabinose residue, and the ring D moiety represents any one of the following moieties a to f (where R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an acetyl group, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl, group, R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group, and Ac represents an acetyl group)).

Abstract: An agent for preventing or ameliorating skin aging, which exhibits a more excellent effect on the suppression of formation, or the amelioration, of wrinkles on the skin or sagging skin. An agent for preventing or ameliorating skin aging, containing triterpenoid saponins represented by the following formula (1) as an active ingredient, wherein at least one of R1 and R2 is a tigloyl group and the other represents a tigloyl group or an angeloyl group; R3 represents a methyl group or a hydroxymethyl group; and R4 represents Glc, Xyl or Gal.

Abstract: Provided are a VEGF production promoter, a hair quality improver, and an external preparation for skin, each of which has a VEGF production promoting activity and can be used as a pharmaceutical agent, a cosmetic, a food, or a material therefor. The VEGF production promoter, the hair quality improver, and the external preparation for skin each comprises, as an active ingredient, a cycloartane-type glycoside represented by the following general formula (1) (where R represents a xylose residue or an arabinose residue, and the ring D moiety represents any one of the following moieties a to f (where R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an acetyl group, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl, group, R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group, and Ac represents an acetyl group)).

Abstract: An agent for preventing or ameliorating skin aging, which exhibits a more excellent effect on the suppression of formation, or the amelioration, of wrinkles on the skin or sagging skin. An agent for preventing or ameliorating skin aging, containing triterpenoid saponins represented by the following formula (1) as an active ingredient, wherein at least one of R1 and R2 is a tigloyl group and the other represents a tigloyl group or an angeloyl group; R3 represents a methyl group or a hydroxymethyl group; and R4 represents Glc, Xyl or Gal.

Abstract: To provide a method for producing a Hippocastanaceae plant seed extract which is less colored and is suitably incorporated into a composition such as a pharmaceutical product or a cosmetic composition. A method for producing a Hippocastanaceae plant seed extract, which includes removing hulls from seeds of a Hippocastanaceae plant, followed by extraction with a solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dermatologic preparation containing a diamide derivative represented by the following formula (1): (wherein, R1 represents a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms which may be substituted by one or more hydroxy and/or alkoxy groups, R2 represents a linear or branched divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R3 represents a linear or branched divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 42 carbon atoms). This diamide derivative (1) is capable of fundamentally improving the water retention capacity and barrier functions of the horny layer, is excellent in miscibility and mixing stability and can be prepared efficiently at a low cost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dermatologic preparation containing a diamide derivative represented by the following formula (1): 1

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dermatologic preparation containing a diamide derivative represented by the following formula (1): (wherein, R1 represents a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms which may be substituted by one or more hydroxy and/or alkoxy groups, R2 represents a linear or branched divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R3 represents a linear or branched divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 42 carbon atoms). This diamide derivative (1) is capable of fundamentally improving the water retention capacity and barrier functions of the horny layer, is excellent in miscibility and mixing stability and can be prepared efficiently at a low cost.