Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to identify compounds having an inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation, and to provide pharmaceutical compositions and food compositions for prevention, improvement, or treatment of obesity or obesity related diseases. By enthusiastically studying natural products that inhibit the differentiation induction of adipocyte precursors into adipocytes, sesquiterpenoid derivatives, which are extracts from a Compositae plant, Calea, growing in Central and South America, were demonstrated to have an excellent inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation induction. Calea extract or the sesquiterpenoid derivatives are expected to be used in pharmaceutical compositions and food compositions for prevention, improvement, or treatment of obesity related diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent for improving renal dysfunction comprising as an active ingredient a compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein each R1, R2, and R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and X represents a linear or branched alkylene or alkenylene group having 10 to 28 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An indole derivative represented by the following general formula (1): wherein at least one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 represents an alkoxy group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and other groups of the R1, R2, R3, and R4 represent hydrogen, an alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, acetyl group, or hydroxyl group; and either one of X and Y represents —(CH2)nOH wherein n is an integer of 0 to 30, and the other one of the X and Y represents hydrogen atom; or a salt thereof; and a drug and an agent for promoting differentiation of a stem cell containing such indole derivative or its salt as an effective component, wherein the indole derivative (1) has action of inducing differentiation of neural stem cell specifically into a neuron, and this indole derivative is useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic drug for brain dysfunction or neuropathy caused by loss or degeneration of the neuron.

Abstract: A process for producing cyclohexenone long-chain alcohol represented by the following formula (1): (wherein A represents a C10-C18 alkylene or alkenylene group, and each of R1, R2, and R3 individually represents hydrogen or methyl), comprising reacting a 3-alkoxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one derivative represented by the following formula (2): (wherein R1, R2, and R3 have the same meanings as above, and R4 represents a C1-C5 alkyl group) with a Grignard's reagent prepared by protecting the hydroxyl groups of C10-C18 ?-halogenoalcohol through silylation, and hydrolyzing the resultant reaction product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a TNF-? production inhibitor containing a kavalactone as an active ingredient, which inhibitor has high safety, exerts an excellent effect of inhibiting TNF-? production, and is useful as a drug or an animal drug for preventing, ameliorating, or treating diseases such as cachexia attributed to cancer or infectious diseases, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory diseases, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rejection during bone marrow transplantation, multiple organ failure, AIDS, meningitis, hepatitis, and type-II diabetes. The present invention also provides a preventive, ameliorating, or therapeutic agent for diseases caused by abnormal production of TNF-?, the agent containing a kavalactone as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Provided is a medicament having an excellent therapeutic effect on ageing macular degeneration. The therapeutic agent for ageing macular degeneration comprises a progesterone derivative represented by the following formula (1): (wherein, R1 represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 23 carbon atoms) as an effective ingredient.

Abstract: A process for producing cyclohexenone long-chain alcohol represented by the following formula (1): (wherein A represents a C10-C18 alkylene or alkenylene group, and each of R1, R2, and R3 individually represents hydrogen or methyl), comprising reacting a 3-alkoxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one derivative represented by the following formula (2): (wherein R1, R2, and R3 have the same meanings as above, and R4 represents a C1-C5 alkyl group) with a Grignard's reagent prepared by protecting the hydroxyl groups of C10-C18 ?-halogenoalcohol through silylation, and hydrolyzing the resultant reaction product. The process of the present invention for producing cyclohexenone long-chain alcohol requires a reduced number of reaction steps, can be performed with ease and with reduced production cost, and thus finds utility in the industry.

Abstract: The present invention provides a TNF-? production inhibitor containing a kavalactone as an active ingredient, which inhibitor has high safety, exerts an excellent effect of inhibiting TNF-? production, and is useful as a drug or an animal drug for preventing, ameliorating, or treating diseases such as cachexia attributed to cancer or infectious diseases, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory diseases, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rejection during bone marrow transplantation, multiple organ failure, AIDS, meningitis, hepatitis, and type-II diabetes. The present invention also provides a preventive, ameliorating, or therapeutic agent for diseases caused by abnormal production of TNF-?, the agent containing a kavalactone as an active ingredient.

Abstract: An indole derivative represented by the following general formula (1): wherein at least one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 represents an alkoxy group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and other groups of the R1, R2, R3, and R4 represent hydrogen, an alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, acetyl group, or hydroxyl group; and either one of X and Y represents —(CH2)n OH wherein n is an integer of 0 to 30, and the other one of the X and Y represents hydrogen atom; or a salt thereof; and a drug and an agent for promoting differentiation of a stem cell containing such indole derivative or its salt as an effective component. The indole derivative (1) of the present invention has action of inducing differentiation of neural stem cell specifically into a neuron, and this indole derivative is useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic drug for brain dysfunction or neuropathy caused by loss or degeneration of the neuron.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flange coupling of two pipes, in particular the pipes of an exhaust system of a motor vehicle internal combustion engine. The coupling is characterized in that: each of the flanges is formed onto the corresponding pipe by the shaping of one of the pipe regions that form the respective flanges; a first of the two flanges is configured with a first connection pipe section, which engages radially in the interior of the second flange; a sealing ring is clamped between the flanges; the flanges are axially fixed by a clamping deice. The coupling is designed to be produced in an efficient manner, easy to mount and configured so that it functions reliably.

Abstract: A preventive and/or therapeutic agent for dysuria, which comprises as an effective ingredient a cyclohexenone long-chain alcoholic derivative represented by the following formula (1): [wherein, R1, R2 and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and X represents a linear or branched C10-28 alkylene or alkenylene group].

Abstract: An inhibitor of the rennin-angiotensin system is useful for the treatment or prevetion of the lipodystrophy syndrome, e.g. in AIDS patients also receiving anti-retroviral therapy.

Abstract: Provided is a preventive or remedy for diseases caused by a cerebrovascular disturbance, which comprises as an effective ingredient a cyclohexenone long-chain alcoholic compound represented by the following formula (1): [wherein, R1, R2 and R3 each independently represents H or CH3 and X represents a C10-28 alkylene or alkenylene group].

Abstract: A preventive and/or therapeutic agent for dysuria, which comprises as an effective ingredient a cyclohexenone long-chain alcoholic derivative represented by the following formula (1):[wherein, R1, R2 and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and X represents a linear or branched C10-28 alkylene or alkenylene group]. This compound alleviates dysuria due to hypofunction of the urinary bladder so that they are useful as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for dysuria.

Abstract: Provided is a stem-cell differentiation and induction promoter, which comprises as an effective ingredient a cyclohexenone long-chain alcoholic derivative represented by the formula (1):[wherein, R1, R2 and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and X represents a linear or branched C10-28 alkylene or alkenylene group]. Since the cyclohexenone long-chain alcoholic derivative according to the present invention promotes differentiation-induction of stem cells into cells expressing a specific biological function, a medicament comprising the derivative is useful as a preventive or remedial drug for diseases such as nervous diseases, bone diseases, circulatory diseases and myopathy, caused by the degeneration of tissues or cells or cell death.

Abstract: A preventive and/or therapeutic agent for diabetes complications, which comprises as an effective ingredient a cyclohexenone long-chain alcoholic derivative represented by the following formula (1): wherein, R1, R2 and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and X represents a linear or branched C10-28 alkylene or alkenylene group. The cyclohcxcnone long-chain alcoholic derivative of the present invention significantly suppresses a reduction in a peripheral nerve conduction rate and alleviates the hypofunction of the bladder so that it is useful as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for diabetes complications, particularly, for diabetic neuropathy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a TNF-&agr; production inhibitor containing a kavalactone as an active ingredient, which inhibitor has high safety, exerts an excellent effect of inhibiting TNF-&agr; production, and is useful as a drug or an animal drug for preventing, ameliorating, or treating diseases such as cachexia attributed to cancer or infectious diseases, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory diseases, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rejection during bone marrow transplantation, multiple organ failure, AIDS, meningitis, hepatitis, and type-II diabetes. The present invention also provides a preventive, ameliorating, or therapeutic agent for diseases caused by abnormal production of TNF-&agr;, the agent containing a kavalactone as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a TNF-&agr; production inhibitor containing a kavalactone as an active ingredient, which inhibitor has high safety, exerts an excellent effect of inhibiting TNF-&agr; production, and is useful as a drug or an animal drug for preventing, ameliorating, or treating diseases such as cachexia attributed to cancer or infectious diseases, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory diseases, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rejection during bone marrow transplantation, multiple organ failure, AIDS, meningitis, hepatitis, and type-II diabetes. The present invention also provides a preventive, ameliorating, or therapeutic agent for diseases caused by abnormal production of TNF-&agr;, the agent containing a kavalactone as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a TNF-&agr; production inhibitor containing a kavalactone as an active ingredient, which inhibitor has high safety, exerts an excellent effect of inhibiting TNF-&agr; production, and is useful as a drug or an animal drug for preventing, ameliorating, or treating diseases such as cachexia attributed to cancer or infectious diseases, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory diseases, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rejection during bone marrow transplantation, multiple organ failure, AIDS, meningitis, hepatitis, and type-II diabetes. The present invention also provides a preventive, ameliorating, or therapeutic agent for diseases caused by abnormal production of TNF-&agr;, the agent containing a kavalactone as an active ingredient.