Abstract: The invention provides an early insulin secretion stimulator consisting of corosolic acid, etc. The early insulin secretion stimulator of the invention is capable of rapidly inducing secretion of insulin immediately after meals without inducing secretion of excess insulin in the absence of blood glucose increase.

Abstract: The present invention provides early insulin secretion stimulators consisting of triterpenes represented by the following general formula (1) and/or triterpenes represented by the following general formula (2). [where R1 represents COOH, etc., R11 and R12 represent CH2OH, etc., X1 represents hydrogen or OH and X11, X12, X21 and X22 represent OH, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glucose tolerance improving agent containing as an active ingredient at least one triterpene selected from the group consisting of corosolic acid, an analogous compound of corosolic acid, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a triterpene composition wherein callus induced from banaba, loquat, perilla or guava is cultured with indoleacetic acid and another plant hormone, and a triterpene composition containing at least one selected from the group consisting of corosolic acid, tormentic acid, 2?,19?-dihydroxy-3-oxo-urs-12-en-28-oic acid and maslinic acid is obtained from the cultured callus.

Abstract: The present invention provides early insulin secretion stimulators consisting of triterpenes represented by the following general formula (1) and/or triterpenes represented by the following general formula (2). [where R1 represents COOH, etc., R11 and R12 represent CH2OH, etc., X1 represents hydrogen or OH and X11, X12, X21 and X22 represent OH, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides sweeteners wherein corosolic acid, and at least one selected from the group consisiting of a sucrase inhibitor and indigestible dextrin, are added to sucrose.

Abstract: The invention provides an early insulin secretion stimulator comprising corosolic acid, etc. The early insulin secretion stimulator of the invention is capable of rapidly inducing secretion of insulin immediately after meals without inducing secretion of insulin in the absence of blood glucose increase.

Abstract: A composition for inhibiting an increase in, or lowering, a blood sugar level, which comprises, as a main component, a concentrate of a hot water or alcohol extract of leaves of Lagerstroemia speciosa, Linn. or Pers. and has an corosolic acid content of 0.01 to 15 mg per 100 mg of the concentrate, and a method of inhibiting an increase in, or lowering, a blood sugar level by oral administration of the composition.

Abstract: A liquid composition to be vaporized for inhibiting an increase in blood sugar level which is prepared by dissolving or dispersing a concentrate of a hot water extract or alcohol extract of leaves of Lagerstroemia Speciosa, Linn. or Pers. as an active ingredient in an aqueous medium, a vaporizer for vaporizing the concentrate from a container containing the liquid composition by heating or nebulization and scattering it into the air, and a method of inhibiting an increase in blood sugar level by causing the vaporized active ingredient to be absorbed through the respiratory passage.

Abstract: A composition for inhibiting an increase in, or lowering, a blood sugar level, which comprises, as a main component, a concentrate of a hot water or alcohol extract of leaves of Lagerstroemia speciosa, Linn. or Pers. and has an corosolic acid content of 0.01 to 15 mg per 100 mg of the concentrate, and a method of inhibiting an increase in, or lowering, a blood sugar level by oral administration of the composition.

Abstract: A composition for inhibiting an increase in, or lowering, a blood sugar level, which comprises, as a main component, a concentrate of a hot water or alcohol extract of leaves of Lagerstroemia Speciosa, Linn. or Pers. and has an corosolic acid content of 0.01 to 15 mg per 100 mg of the concentrate, and a method of inhibiting an increase in, or lowering, a blood sugar level by oral administration of the composition.

Abstract: A composition for inhibiting an increase in, or lowering, a blood sugar level, which comprises, as a main component, a concentrate of a hot water or alcohol extract of leaves of Lagerstroemia Speciosa, Linn. or Pers. and has an corosolic acid content of 0.01 to 15 mg per 100 mg of the concentrate, and a method of inhibiting an increase in, or lowering, a blood sugar level by oral administration of the composition.

Abstract: A machine tool includes two movable tables on which workpiece is mounted. A base mount has an upper surface provided with at least two machinable regions and workpiece handling regions. A column is supported above the base mount and movable in a first direction, and a spindle head is supported on the column and movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The spindle head is movable over the machinable regions. The tables are arranged in parallelism and movable in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. Each of the tables is movable between each of the machinable regions and the workpiece handling regions. First, second and third drive means are connected to the column, the spindle head and the tables, respectively. The drive means are also connected to a numerical control unit for numerically controlling the movements of the column, the spindle head and the tables in the first, the second and the third directions respectively.