Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a freeze-dried fruit of Parkia, preferably Parkia speciosa comprising the steps of a) freezing a fruit, preferably beans from Parkia to ?20° C. or below to obtain a frozen fruit and b) subsequently freeze-drying the frozen fruit by reducing the pressure surrounding the said frozen fruit to allow water and volatiles to sublimate and/or evaporate from the frozen fruit to obtain the freeze-dried fruit of Parkia, wherein the temperature of the fruit during freeze-drying is at most 0° C., wherein the temperature of the fruit from the beginning of step a) until the end of step b) does not exceed 30° C. The invention also relates to the products obtained with the process, including their use as a medicament in the treatment, co-treatment and/or prevention of diabetes mellitus and/or for weight regulation.

Abstract: An improved wound dressing using a honey composition is provided. Preferably, the honey composition includes buckwheat honey.

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species associated with a wound are modulated through treatment of the wound with a solution of metal ions selected from the group consisting of potassium ions, zinc ions, calcium ions and rubidium ions, at a pH of between about 5 and about 7. Preferably, citric acid is employed to adjust the pH of the solution. Application of the extract to a wound exhibiting superoxide anions has been found to be effective in the treatment of these wounds through the reduction of the level of superoxide anions. Moreover, treatment of partial thickness excision wounds as well as contact burn wounds with the present composition has been found to improve epithelialization of these wounds. In addition to the antioxidant activity of the present invention, treatment of the wound employing the present composition produces inhibitory effects on ROS production by human PMNs and on human complement activation, and therefore, is further beneficial in chronic wound management.