Abstract: The present invention provides a novel ascorbic acid derivative as a provitamin C with improved stability in the body and prolonged life in the body compared to conventionally known 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid. The composition comprising the novel compound 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid has been extracted from plants such as from Ningxia Lycium barbarum L. and/or Lycium chinense Mill. The compositions comprising 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be enzymatically synthesized using ?-D-glucosyltransferase. Pure 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be produced from such compositions. Alternatively, 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be produced by chemical synthesis. The 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid results in higher stability and a prolonged life of vitamin C when ingested in the body compared to the corresponding ?-D-glucopyranosyl derivative, and is therefore highly suitable as a provitamin C to be used in cosmetics and foods.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a Mallotus philippinensis extract containing readily water soluble rottlerin. A further object of the present invention is to improve convenience at production steps in a method for producing such an extract, by avoiding the staining of filters and/or pipes during extraction and filtration to reduce washing costs, or by facilitating the introduction of freeze drying and so on. When a dye extract is extracted with water and alcohol from a Mallotus philippinensis plant body, the addition of a base component drastically improves the water solubility of the Mallotus philippinensis extract. This improves extraction rates of rottlerin, facilitates washing in the production and the pulverization of the extract, and also improves the water solubility of the obtained extract.

Abstract: Skin care products which contain as a vitamin C component 6-O-PUFA ascorbates represented by general formula (I): RCO-A ??(I) where RCO— is an acyl group derived from a polyunsaturated fatty acid, and A is a residue of ascorbic acid that binds by —O— derived from the hydroxyl group in ascorbic acid. The products show improved transfer of ascorbic acid to tissues or cells, allow the functions of ascorbic acid to be exhibited efficiently, and also have the potential to show the functions of PUFAs. Also provided are foods and beverages that contain 6-O-PUFA ascorbates represented by general formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel ascorbic acid derivative as a provitamin C with improved stability in the body and prolonged life in the body compared to conventionally known 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid. The composition comprising the novel compound 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid has been extracted from plants such as from Ningxia Lycium barbarum L. and/or Lycium chinense Mill. The compositions comprising 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be enzymatically synthesized using ?-D-glucosyltransferase. Pure 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be produced from such compositions. Alternatively, 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be produced by chemical synthesis. The 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid results in higher stability and a prolonged life of vitamin C when ingested in the body compared to the corresponding ?-D-glucopyranosyl derivative, and is therefore highly suitable as a provitamin C to be used in cosmetics and foods.

Abstract: The present invention provides substances having sufficiently antibacterial activity against heat-resistant spore-forming bacteria that they can be used to improve the shelf life of beverages and processed foods, as well as to control the growth of microorganisms in cosmetics. The present invention provides a catechin ester in which at least one of the hydroxyl groups of a catechin is esterified with a medium-chain fatty acid. This medium-chain fatty acid ester of a catechin, which may be used either alone or as a composition, shows a strong growth suppressing effect on heat-resistant spore-forming bacteria and, if added to foods or beverages, can prevent them from rotting or deterioration and, if added to cosmetics, can prevent their rotting or deterioration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for screening a microorganism or protein having a useful function by using a micro-chamber array. Using the screening method and screening apparatus in accordance with the present invention, a target protein having an enzymatic activity or a microorganism producing such a protein is screened from a sample serving as a screening object by using a base plate having a plurality of micro-chambers arranged in the form of an array. With this method and apparatus, a protein having an enzymatic activity or a microorganism producing such a protein that is present in a micro-chamber is detected by detecting a fluorescence produced by an enzyme reaction of the protein having an enzymatic activity and a fluorescence substrate.

Abstract: A composition for external use, comprising 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid represented by the formula (I): or a salt or ester thereof which is safe to the human body, and a koji mold or a processed koji. The composition for external use is excellent in skin permeability, containing an ascorbic acid derivative which is excellent in stability, utilized persistently in the living body, and strong in antioxidant activity, and has little skin irritation.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a Mallotus philippinensis extract containing readily water soluble rottlerin. A further object of the present invention is to improve convenience at production steps in a method for producing such an extract, by avoiding the staining of filters and/or pipes during extraction and filtration to reduce washing costs, or by facilitating the introduction of freeze drying and so on. When a dye extract is extracted with water and alcohol from a Mallotus philippinensis plant body, the addition of a base component drastically improves the water solubility of the Mallotus philippinensis extract. This improves extraction rates of rottlerin, facilitates washing in the production and the pulverization of the extract, and also improves the water solubility of the obtained extract.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel ascorbic acid derivative as a provitamin C with improved stability in the body and prolonged life in the body compared to conventionally known 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid. The composition comprising the novel compound 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid has been extracted from plants such as from Ningxia Lycium barbarum L. and/or Lycium chinense Mill. The compositions comprising 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be enzymatically synthesized using ?-D-glucosyltransferase. Pure 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be produced from such compositions. Alternatively, 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be produced by chemical synthesis. The 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid results in higher stability and a prolonged life of vitamin C when ingested in the body compared to the corresponding ?-D-glucopyranosyl derivative, and is therefore highly suitable as a provitamin C to be used in cosmetics and foods.

Abstract: A quianazoline derivative having the formula (1): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which has a chymase inhibitory activity and suppresses the exacerbation of vascular permeability induced by chymase and useful as a medicament, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same as an essential ingredient.

Abstract: A lipid-improving agent containing a triglyceride(s) where a poly-unsaturated fatty acid is bonded to 2-position of a triglyceride(s).

Abstract: The invention provides a process for powdering highly unsaturated fatty acid esters of ascorbic acid which are pasty and problematic in physical properties by a simple and easy means; highly unsaturated fatty acid esters of ascorbic acid which are improved in stability by powdering; and compositions containing the powdered highly unsaturated fatty acid esters of ascorbic acid.

Abstract: A pyrrolesulfonamide derivative having the following formula (I): wherein the ring P represented by is a pyrrole ring having the following structure: wherein R represents alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl-alkyl or aralkyl; the dashed line indicates the presence or absence of a bond; and, when the bond is present, Z2 is not present and Z1 represents H but, when the bond is absent, Z1 represents H and Z2 represents OH or Z1 and Z2 are combined together to represent O or a group NOR1, in which R1 represents H, or alkyl, aralkyl or aryl; l stands for 0 or 1; A represents alkylene, alkenylene or alkynylene; and Y represents a group in which W represents CH, C? or N; m stands for 0 or 1 when W is CH or N, or m stands for 1 when W is C?; B represents a specific divalent group; E1 and E2 each independently represents H or lower alkyl; and D represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group.

Abstract: The present invention provides an astaxanthin medium-chain fatty acid ester, which is expected to be applied in the fields of food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and has higher digestibility and tissue penetration than long chain fatty acid ester form astaxanthins. When the synthesis of an astaxanthin medium-chain fatty acid ester is attempted using the catalytic action of lipase by conventional methods, ester cannot be formed. However, according to the present invention, a composition comprising an astaxanthin medium-chain fatty acid monoester and/or diester is produced by adding a certain amount of water into a reaction system and reacting an astaxanthin or a long chain fatty acid ester thereof with a medium-chain fatty acid, a triglyceride thereof or a suitable ester. Moreover, these monoesters and/or diesters are isolated, as necessary. The present invention further provides food or cosmetics comprising the composition of the present invention.

Abstract: There is provided a preventive or therapeutic agent for diseases accompanied by abnormal vascular function in which lipid deposition in the blood vessel is involved, said agent comprising a chymase inhibitor as an active ingredient. As the chymase inhibitor, a quinazoline derivative represented by the following formula is used. In the above formula, the ring A represents an aromatic ring.

Abstract: A quinazoline derivative having formula (1) and a pharmacrutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein the ring A represents an aryl group. which derivative has a chymase inhibitory activity and suppresses the exacerbation of cascular permeability induced by chymase, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same as an essential ingredient. These compounds are useful for treatment of allergic diseases, rheumatic diseases, and cardiac and circulatory system diseases which are due to the abnormal exacerbation of Angiotensin II production.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel ascorbic acid derivative as a provitamin C with improved stability in the body and prolonged life in the body compared to conventionally known 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid. The composition comprising the novel compound 2-?-(-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid has been extracted from plants such as from Ningxia Lycium barbarum L. and/or Lycium chinense Mill. The compositions comprising 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be enzymatically synthesized using ?-D-glucosyltransferase. Pure 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be produced from such compositions. Alternatively, 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid may be produced by chemical synthesis. The 2-O-(?-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid results in higher stability and a prolonged life of vitamin C when ingested in the body compared to the corresponding ?-D-glucopyranosyl derivative, and is therefore highly suitable as a provitamin C to be used in cosmetics and foods.

Abstract: A quinazoline derivative having formula (1) and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein the ring A represents an aryl group, which derivative has a chymase inhibitory activity and suppresses the exacerbation of vascular permeability induced by chymase, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same as an essential ingredient. These compounds are useful for treatment of allergic diseases, rheumatic diseases, and cardiac and circulatory system diseases which are due to the abnormal exacerbation of Angiotensin II production.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure A pyrrolesulfonamide derivative, Compound (I), which has strong serotonin-2 receptor antagonistic action and low toxicity and less side effects, and is useful as a therapeutic for circulatory diseases such as ischemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular disturbances and peripheral circulatory disturbances.

Abstract: A pyrrolesulfonamide derivative having the following formula (I): 1