Abstract: A melanin eliminator preparation comprising a metal chelate compound represented by the following formula (I), wherein M denotes a metal, and R denotes hydroxyl, O-lower alkyl, an amine bonded at N, an amino acid bonded at N, or a peptide bonded at N, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: Provided are novel ?-lipoic acid derivatives represented by the following formula (I), which have a tyrosinase inhibiting activity, a melanin production suppressing activity and an elastase inhibiting activity. (In the formula, M denotes a metal, and A denotes an amino acid which is bound via N.

Abstract: A novel ?-lipoic acid derivative represented by the following formula (I). It has a tyrosinase inhibiting activity, melanin production inhibitory activity, and elastase inhibiting activity. (I) (In the formula, M represents a metal and A denotes an amino acid residue bonded through the nitrogen atom.).

Abstract: A melanin eliminator preparation comprising a metal chelate compound represented by the following formula (I), wherein M denotes a metal, and R denotes hydroxyl, O-lower alkyl, an amine bonded at N, an amino acid bonded at N, or a peptide bonded at N, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A melanin eliminator preparation comprising a metal chelate compound represented by the following formula (I), wherein M denotes a metal, and R denotes hydroxyl, O-lower alkyl, an amine bonded at N, an amino acid bonded at N, or a peptide bonded at N, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: L-Ascorbic acid-2-O-maleic acid-&agr;-tocopherol diester.1-propanol adduct or its pharmacologically acceptable salt; cosmetic components, antioxidants, radical scavengers, anti-inflammatory agents and elastase inhibitors containing the same as the active ingredient; and a process for producing the above-described adduct characterized by comprising extracting a solution containing L-ascorbic acid-2-O-maleic acid-&agr;-tocopherol diester with a solvent, distilling off the solvent, and adding to the residue 1-propanol mixed with an organic solvent followed by crystallization.

Abstract: L-Ascorbic acid-2-O-maleic acid-&agr;-tocopherol diester.1-propanol adduct or its pharmacologically acceptable salt; cosmetic components, antioxidants, radical scavengers, anti-inflammatory agents and elastase inhibitors containing the same as the active ingredient; and a process for producing the above-described adduct characterized by comprising extracting a solution containing L-ascorbic acid-2-O-maleic acid-&agr;-tocopherol diester with a solvent, distilling off the solvent, and adding to the residue 1-propanol mixed with an organic solvent followed by crystallization.

Abstract: A novel a-lipoic acid derivative represented by the following formula (I). It has tyrosinase inhibitory activity, melanin production inhibitory activity, and elastase inhibitory activity. (I) (In the formula, M represents a metal and A represents an amino acid residue bonded through the nitrogen atom.).

Abstract: According to the present invention, there are provided diester compounds of maleic acid (or fumaric acid) or their pharmacologically acceptable salts represented by the formula: 1

Abstract: The present invention provides novel vitamin E derivatives represented by the following formula (I) wherein: R1 and R2 are the same or different and each denotes hydrogen or methyl, R3 denotes an S-linked SH compound (glutathione, &ggr;-glutamylcysteine, cysteine, penicillamine, an ester thereof or cysteamine), and R4 denotes hydroxyl, a N-substituted amino acid (glycine, &bgr;-alanine, &ggr;-aminobutyric acid, 5-aminovaleric acid, &egr;-aminocaproic acid, anthranilic acid, tranexamic acid, proline, an ester thereof, aminoethylsulfonic acid , aminoethylsulfinic acid) or serotonin, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, which are useful as hepatopathy suppressing agents, anticataract agents, cerebral metabolism improving agents, antioxidants and cosmetic components.

Abstract: A hydroquinone compound is represented by the following formula or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof with W, R, R1-4, and B1-2 defined herein.

Abstract: Urocanic acid derivatives useful as antiallergic agents represented by the following formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R2 denotes hydrogen or lower alkyl, R3 denotes nitro, amino, cyano or COOR2, wherein R2 in said COOR2 is as defined above, and Q denotes carbon or nitrogen.

Abstract: A medicament for reducing side effects of adrenocortical hormones comprising a phosphodiester compound of the following formula or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and each denotes hydrogen or methyl.

Abstract: A hydroquinone derivative useful as an intraocular pressure lowering, anti-hypertensive and radical scavenging agent represented by the following formula 1

Abstract: The present invention provides a piperazine derivative of the following formula or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a benzene ring, naphthalene ring, quinoline ring, indole ring or chroman ring that may be substituted by lower alkyl, lower alkoxy and/or hydroxy; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently represent hydrogen or lower alkyl.The compound of the present invention has potent antiallergic activity and can therefore be used with advantage in the treatment of various allergic diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the therapy of acne vulgaris which comprises a phosphoric diester compound of the following formula or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may be the same or different and each represents hydrogen or methyl.

Abstract: This invention provides a benzylpiperazine derivative of formula (I) and a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a pyridine ring or a group of either formula (IV) or formula (V); R.sub.2 represents hydrogen or lower alkyl ##STR2## wherein R.sub.3 represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, a pyridine ring or a benzene ring which may be substituted by halogen; X represents halogen ##STR3## wherein R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 may be the same or different and each represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halogen or carboxy.

Abstract: 1. A corticoid derivative of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R represents hydrogen, hydroxy, methyl or methylene; inclusive of the acylation product thereof where the 17-position of the steroid skeleton is hydroxy and the ketone form thereof where R is hydroxy, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.Since the corticosteroid derivative of this invention is readily soluble in water and has antiallergic, antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities, it can be used with advantage in the prevention and therapy of various allergic diseases, inflammatory diseases, cataract and various ischemic organ diseases.

Abstract: An improved method for isolating and purifying a glutathione derivative is disclosed. More particularly, the invention provides a method for isolating and purifying S-(1, 2-dicarboxyethyl)glutathione or its pharmacologically acceptable salt from a reaction mixture available upon reacting glutathione or its salt with either fumaric acid or its salt or maleic acid or its salt, which comprises a first step of converting the S-(1, 2-dicarboxyethyl)glutathione or salt thereof in the reaction mixture to the corresponding copper salt, dissolving the copper salt in an aqueous solution of acetic acid, formic acid or propionic acid, and removing the contaminant glutathione, oxidized glutathione and fumaric acid copper salts with the aid of activated carbon and a second step of dissolving or suspending the isolated S-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)glutathione copper salt in water and blowing hydrogen sulfide gas through the resulting aqueous solution or suspension to remove copper.

Abstract: Presented is a novel quinolonecarboxylic acid derivative of the formula I and its pharmaceutically acceptable salt: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, halogen or lower alkoxy, R.sub.2 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, --NH.sub.2, --NHCOCH.sub.3 or halogen,R.sub.3 is lower alkyl, and z is a group represented by the formula II or III: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are identical or different and are hydrogen or lower alkyl. A method of preparation of these compound and a method of treatment of diseases caused by bacterial infection are also presented.