Abstract: Drugs and cosmetics which are highly safe, and which are effective in preventing, improving, or treating various pathological conditions caused by estrogen depletion are provided. Provided are aromatase activators containing at least one member selected from plants such as Labiatae sps. including Isodon, Scutellaria (huangcen), Schizonepeta (jingjie), sage, lavender, Lamium album, and thyme, an extract thereof; yeast extract; silk protein extract; milk protein; trehalose; natto extract; royal jelly; oryza oil; hydrolyzated wheat extract; shea butter; and rice fermentation extract.

Abstract: Provided is a deodorant composition containing (A) an extract of a plant selected from phellodendron (Phellodendron amurense or P. chinensis), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), Lithospermum erythrorhizon, licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides), and (B) an unsaturated fatty acid. This deodorant composition has benefits such as an excellent deodorant effect and even if it contains powder, it does not leave substantially any white residue on the skin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lipolysis stimulator and a slimming agent which stimulate or facilitate lipolysis of accumulated adipose tissue, to thereby exert the body slimming effect. The lipolysis stimulator or the slimming agent of the present invention contains as an active ingredient any form of a plant or an extract thereof, the plant being selected from among common juniper, togenashi, rosehip, areca, polygala root, plantago herb, calumba, zuikorodoku, garden nasturtium, kidachiumanosuzukusa, bayberry, cogon grass, kohon, shoyokanzo, Japanese white birch, tanjin, kikubafuro, white mustard, common sunflower, ground ivy, Chinese wolfberry, Japanese pagota tree, sennenken, common fig, kankatto, Chinese hibiscus, usubaakaza, fenugreek, English walnut, sozuku, koniwa-zakura, gardenia, shima-kan-giku, akamino-akane, futaba-mugura, karoou, schizonepeta spike, purslane, karabyakushi, and prostrate knotweed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hair growth inhibitor and a depilation accelerator, each comprising a crude drug selected from Bupleuri Radix, Perillae Herba, Rhei Rhizoma and Akebiae Caulis, or an extract thereof. This inhibitor or accelerator makes it possible to inhibit the growth of body hair or promote depilation, respectively, thereby reducing the frequency of hair removal treatment. Moreover, it makes the hair body finer, thereby facilitating the removal of the hair from feet or arms.

Abstract: The invention contemplates drugs useful for maintenance or promotion at sites of regenerating nerves and for prevention or treatment of pathological conditions caused by denaturation or cell damage in the nervous system. Thus, the invention provides an apolipoprotein D degradation inhibitor containing lauric acid or oleic acid as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an aromatase activating agent containing a plant selected from among mulberry bark, ginseng, cucumber, and phellodendron bark; or chlorella; or an extract of any of these ingredients. The aromatase activating agent of the present invention is highly safe to the human body, and useful as a drug or cosmetic composition for prevention, amelioration, or treatment of various lesions caused by estrogen deficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hair growth inhibitor and a depilation accelerator, each comprising a crude drug selected from Bupleuri Radix, Perillae Herba, Rhei Rhizoma and Akebiae Caulis, or an extract thereof. This inhibitor or accelerator makes it possible to inhibit the growth of body hair or promote depilation, respectively, thereby reducing the frequency of hair removal treatment.

Abstract: This invention relates to amide derivatives represented by the following formula (1), amide derivative synthesis intermediates represented by the following formula (2), (3) or (4), and external skin care preparations, cosmetic hair care formulations and bath medicines containing the amide derivatives (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.1a are, for example, tetradecyl or hexadecyl, R.sup.2 is, for example, tridecyl or pentadecyl, R.sup.3 is, for example, ethylene or trimethylene, R.sup.3a is, for example, trimethylene, and R.sup.4, R.sup.4a and R.sup.4b are, for example, methoxy or ethoxy. When added to external skin care preparations, bath medicines and cosmetic hair care formulations, the amide derivatives (1) exhibit advantageous effects such as skin-roughness preventing/curing effects and hair touch-feeling improving effects.

Abstract: Disclosed is an amine derivative represented by the following formula (1) or an acid addition salt thereof: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a group ##STR2## a cyclopentyl group, cyclohexyl group, or a cycloheptyl group, R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or C1-C3 alkyl group which may be substituted by one or more hydroxyl groups, m is an integer falling in the range from 3 to 5 inclusive, and n is an integer falling in the range from 9 to 11 inclusive. Also, intermediates useful in the manufacture of the amine derivative (1), compositions for external application to the skin containing the amine derivative, and keratinization improvers containing the amine derivative as an active component are described. The compound (1) has excellent keratinization improving action, pigmentation preventing action, etc.

Abstract: An amide derivative represented by the following formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a C.sub.1-40 hydrocarbon; R.sup.2 represents a C.sub.1-6 alkylene; R.sup.3 represents H, OH or alkoxyl; R.sup.4 represents a C.sub.1-39 hydrocarbon; R.sup.5 represents ##STR2## with the proviso that when R.sup.5 represents ##STR3## R.sup.3 does not represent OH; and a composition of the amide derivative for topical application to human skin. The composition improves the barrier function of the stratum corneum, providing improvement and prevention of dermatitis, skin roughness, or similar disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amine derivative represented by the following general formula (I) or (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 means a heteroatom-containing C.sub.1 -C.sub.40 hydrocarbon group which may have a ring structure, or the like; R.sup.2 -R.sup.5 each denote a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 hydrocarbon group, hydrogen or the like; A.sup.1 represents ##STR2## or R.sup.15 --Z--.sup.16 --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --; B.sup.1 stands for hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 hydrocarbon group, nitrogen or the like; C.sup.1 denotes hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 hydrocarbon group, nitrogen, alcohol residue, phosphoric acid residue or the like; a dermatologic preparation containing the same; and a process for producing the amine derivative. This amine derivative has excellent effects of smoothing or removing wrinkles and improving keratinization.