Abstract: EEM-S obtained by extracting with hot water or a lower alcohol at least one mushroom selected from among Lentinus edodes, Flammulina velutipes, Hypsizygus marmoreus, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pholiota nameko, Grifola fondosa, Volvariella speciosa ver. speciosa, Lyophllum decastes, blanc du pays, Tricholoma matsutake, Ganoderma lucidum and Phellinus yucatensis, treating the obtained extract by the molecular sieve method and thus eliminating low-molecular-weight and high-molecular-weight fractions: and preparations thereof. This EEM-S exerts physiological effects such as anticancer, immunopotentiating, antioxidative, hypotensive and hypoglycemic effects.

Abstract: EEM-S obtained by extracting with hot water or a lower alcohol at least one mushroom selected from among Lentinus edodes, Flammulina velutipes, Hypsizygus marmoreus, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pholiota nameko, Grifola fondosa, Volvariella speciosa ver. speciosa, Lyophllum decastes, blanc du pays, Tricholoma matsutake, Ganoderma lucidum and Phellinus yucatensis, treating the obtained extract by the molecular sieve method and thus eliminating low-molecular-weight and high-molecular-weight fractions: and preparations thereof. This EEM-S exerts physiological effects such as anticancer, immunopotentiating, antioxidative, hypotensive and hypoglycemic effects.

Abstract: A 13-propylberberine salt, which is represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X.sup.- means HSO.sub.4 or H.sub.2 PO.sub.4, has strong inhibitory effect against secretion, good stability and high water solubility. Its effects are shown promptly after its oral administration.

Abstract: A novel and efficient method is proposed for the preparation of isosorbide-5-nitrate which is a promising medicinal compound for several diseases due to disorder in heart. The method comprises direct nitration of isosorbide with a concentrated nitric acid in a specific reaction medium containing an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, e.g. benzene, in addition to conventional acetic acid and acetic anhydride. After neutralization of the reaction mixture and removal of the dinitrate as a byproduct therefrom, the reaction mixture is admixed with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide so that a sodium salt of isosorbide-5-nitrate is precipitated in the form of a hydrate, which is a novel compound not known in the prior art. This hydrate sodium salt is then decomposed with an acid to give the desired isosorbide-5-nitrate in a high yield.