Abstract: The invention concerns the use of at least an oil derived from the seeds of the gourd family selected from the group consisting of Lagenaria, Luffa and Momordica, for preparing a composition designed to inhibit 5&agr;-reductase activity, and the use of said oil for preparing a composition for treating prostatic hypertrophy, prostatic adenoma, acne, hyperseborrhea, alopecia, and hirsutism. The invention also concerns cosmetic treatment methods, in particular for greasy skin. The invention further concerns the use of at least an oil derived from seeds of the gourd family in a nutritional food composition for humans and/or animals as additive for inhibiting 5&agr; reductase activity.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for extracting usaponifiable matters from a vegetable oil comprising at least a saponification step whereby the oil is transformed into a hydro alcoholic solution, a step for extracting the hydro alcoholic solution with a organic solvent such as chloro-1-butane, preferably the treated vegetable oil is avocado or soya oil.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extract from the pods of lupin seeds containing lupeol, more particularly an extract wherein the content thereof by weight is greater than 30%, preferably greater than 50%, even more advantageously 70-100% The invention also relates to a method for obtaining said extract.

Abstract: The invention concerns a peptide extract of lupine (lupinus) characterised in that it has a metalloprotease inhibiting activity, in particular collagenase and gelatinase. The invention also concerns a pharmaceutical, cosmetic or nutritional composition comprising a peptide extract, optionally an inert carrier, in particular for treating humans or mammals suffering from a condition or disease related to excessive degeneration of support by a metalloprotease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an avocado leaf extract rich in furanic lipids, the raw material for which consists of avocado leaves, and which comprises the following steps: a liquid-solid extraction step followed by evaporation under vacuum, and a heat treatment step between 80 and 120° C. which is continued for a period of between 5 and 72 hours, it being possible for these two steps to be carried out in this order or in the reverse order.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions intended for external topical use comprising a true solution containing a chromane or chromene derivative having formula (I), preferably a flavonoid, dissolved in a suitable solvent. The invention also relates to a method for preparing such compositions and the use of said compositions as sun protection agents for the skin, advantageously as agents having an anti-erythemal, anti-oxidant, anti-radical, anti-inflammatory or vasculotropic activity.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition, characterised in that it comprises at least a compound for inhibiting Langerhans' cell migration, said active compound being selected in the group consisting of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibiting compounds, matrix metalloprotease (MMP) inhibiting compounds, and combinations thereof, and at least a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable carrier. Said composition enables to inhibit considerably Langerhans' cell migration induced by the presence or an allergenic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an avocado leaf extract rich in furanic lipids, the raw material for which consists of avocado leaves, and which comprises the following steps: a liquid-solid extraction step followed by evaporation under vacuum, and a heat treatment step between 80 and 120° C. which is continued for a period of between 5 and 72 hours, it being possible for these two steps to be carried out in this order or in the reverse order.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for obtaining a furan lipid-rich unsaponifiable material from avocado, which comprises the successive steps (1) of controlled dehydration of fresh avocados or of avocados that have undergone preliminary transformations, (2) of extraction of the oil from dehydrated fruit, (3) of a heat treatment of the extracted oil and of a step of concentration of the unsaponifiable fraction of the oil or alternately, these two operations possibly being carried out successively in this order or in the reverse order, and finally (4) a step of saponification and of extraction of the unsaponifiable material.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing a fatty substance ester, characterised in that it consists in subjecting to an esterification reaction at least a fatty substance with at least an alcohol compound selected from the group consisting of sterols, stanols, 4-methylsterols and their hydrogenated homologous, triterpene alcohols and their hydrogenated homologues, and mixtures thereof, in the presence of at least a solid catalyst selected in the group consisting of lanthanide oxides and the mixtures of said oxides.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of at least a fatty ester for preparing a composition designed to inhibit 5&agr;-reductase activity. Said use produces a remarkable inhibiting effect of 5&agr;-reductase thereby providing a novel response for treating dermatological pathologies and/or disorders related to congenital or acquired exaggeration of 5&agr;-reductase activity, in particular for treating prostatic hypertrophy, prostatic adenoma, acne, hyperseborrhea, alopecia and hirsutism. The invention also concerns cosmetic treatment methods, in particular for greasy skin, and the use of said fatty esters as additives in a food product for human and/or animal consumption.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for extracting usaponifiable matters from a vegetable oil comprising at least a saponification step whereby the oil is transformed into a hydroalcoholic solution, an step for extracting the hydroalcoholic solution with an organic solvent such as chloro-1-butane, preferably the treated vegetable oil is avocado or soya oil.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for selectively extracting furan lipids and polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols of avocado, characterised in that it comprises steps which consist in: preparing an unsaponifiable matter of avocado; then in subjecting the unsaponifiable matter of avocado to a step of molecular distillation using adjusted temperature and pressure means to obtain either a distillate comprising mainly furan lipids and polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols of avocado. Said method enables in particular to extract selectively furan lipids of avocado having a furan lipid content of more than 80 wt. %, even close to 98%.

Abstract: The invention concerns a natural vegetable oil selected among palm oil, corn germ oil, sunflower oil and canola oil, concentrated in unsaponifiable matters, such that said oil unsaponifiable matter content is 3 to 15 % m/m. Said concentrated natural vegetable oil constitutes a novel food ingredient enriched in particular in vitamin E and phytosterol, useful as favoured food source in vitamin E and phytosterol, meeting recommended daily intake.