Abstract: The present invention is directed to an extrace of Psilotum spp., as a skin whitening agent. Whitening agents according to the invention exhibit superior effects, for example, by lightening and whitening skin pigmentation, lightening and whitening aging spots, freckles, chloasma, or the like after sunburn. The Psilotum spp. extract of the invention has a superior free radical scavenging ability permitting the extract to control skin aging and skin diseases caused by active oxygen (free radicals), while having a high level of safety.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an extrace of Psilotum spp., as a skin whitening agent. Whitening agents according to the invention exhibit superior effects, for example, by lightening and whitening skin pigmentation, lightening and whitening aging spots, freckles, chloasma, or the like after sunburn. The Psilotum spp. extract of the invention has a superior free radical scavenging ability permitting the extract to control skin aging and skin diseases caused by active oxygen (free radicals), while having a high level of safety.

Abstract: Provided are a novel carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) structure and a method for producing the same. The CMC structure of the present invention is useful as a medical material and particularly as an adhesion-preventing material, and has good biocompatibility and bioabsorbability and controllable periods of functioning and dissolving, or has both effects for preventing adhesions and wound healing. The CMC structure of the present invention is substantially composed of carboxymethyl celluloses, comprising an acid carboxymethyl cellulose and an alkaline metal carboxymethyl cellulose in a mixed state. The method of production of the present invention comprises subjecting the alkaline metal (or acid) carboxymethyl cellulose structure to an acid (or alkali) treatment, wherein the acid (or alkali) treatment is terminated before the alkaline metal (or acid) carboxymethyl cellulose is fully converted to the acid (or alkaline metal) carboxymethyl cellulose.

Abstract: A wrinkle-improving agent that has an effect of improving wrinkles, that does not entail problems of safety or pain even when applied to the skin, and that contains a very safe substance as an active component. A discovery was made that N-benzoyl-?-alanine, other specific ?-alanine derivatives, and salts thereof have a wrinkle-improving effect, whereby a wrinkle-improving agent containing as an active component one, two, or more types of compounds selected from the group composed of these specific ?-alanine derivatives and the salts thereof was developed.

Abstract: Provided are a whitener having superior whitening action and superior skin lightening and whitening effects against pigment deposition, age spots, freckles, liver spots and the like, and an antioxidant and anti-aging agent having superior free radical capturing abilities that prevent and/or inhibit skin aging and skin diseases caused by active oxygen (free radicals). The whitener, antioxidant and anti-aging agent contain an extract from Polyalthia longifolia.

Abstract: The development of a skin-whitening agent which has a lower molecular weight, can be synthesized through a fewer steps and can be produced at low cost has been demanded. Thus, it is provided by the present invention a skin-whitening agent including one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of 4-cis-hydroxyproline and its derivative and/or its salt, a skin-whitening composition for external formulation to the skin, a cosmetic composition and a pharmaceutical composition, each of which contains the skin-whitening agent of the invention, and a cosmetic method for whitening the skin, which includes a step of administering one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of 4-cis-hydroxyproline and its derivative and/or its salt. In the skin-whitening agent and the cosmetic method for whitening the skin of the invention, the 4-cis-hydroxyproline may be 4-cis-L-hydroxyproline and/or 4-cis-D-hydroxyproline.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a whitening agent having a superior skin whitening activity, and having a superior effect in lightening and whitening pigmentation, aging spots, freckles, chloasma, or the like after sunburn, and an antioxidant agent and an anti-aging agent having a superior free radical scavenging ability for preventing and controlling aging in the skin and skin diseases caused by active oxygen (free radicals), and having a high level of safety. [Means for Solving the Problem] An extract of Psilotum spp., the family Psilotaceae, the genus Psilotum is contained.

Abstract: The invention provides anti-aging agents, angiogenesis inhibitors and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression inhibitors containing one or more galenicals selected from the group consisting of mukurossi peel extract, hazelnut extract, linden extract, coix extract, chlorella extract and tormentilla extract.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel wrinkle-improving agent that has an effect of improving wrinkles, that does not entail problems of safety or pain even when applied to the skin, and that contains a very safe substance as an active component. A discovery was made that N-benzoyl-?-alanine, other specific ?-alanine derivatives, and salts thereof have a wrinkle-improving effect, whereby a wrinkle-improving agent containing as an active component one, two, or more types of compounds selected from the group composed of these specific ?-alanine derivatives and the salts thereof was developed.

Abstract: The invention provides anti-aging agents, angiogenesis inhibitors and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression inhibitors containing one or more galenicals selected from the group consisting of mukurossi peel extract, hazelnut extract, linden extract, coix extract, chlorella extract and tormentilla extract.

Abstract: The present invention provides a skin test method for predicting the formation of spots in the skin. This method judges skin to be susceptible to the formation of spots in the case expression in the epidermis of MCP-2 gene, a polynucleotide capable of hybridizing under highly stringent conditions to mouse AK012157 gene, human FLJ21763 gene or rat S74257 gene, or Mcp9, Mcp10, Isg15, Usp18, Oas12, Gbp2, Gtpi, Ifi47, Igtp, Tgtp, Sprr2A, Krt2-6b, Cdk5rap2, Mef2C, Gsta4, Osf2, Tnc, Igfbp6, Ppicap or Mm. 74656 gene, is increased as compared with normal expression in the epidermis.

Abstract: A digital switch may have an advantageous actuating member including, in addition to pawls for a ratchet mechanism, a pair of main bodies and spring portions integrally formed therewith, whereby the mechanical integrity of the actuating member and smooth operation are assured. The spring portions are interconnected by a mounting plate which is in turn engaged to a casing member. The switch may include an advantageous electro-conductive pattern which is made by insert molding an embossed metallic plate into synthetic resin, whereby the dimensional accuracy of the pattern is assured and the production may be facilitated. Further, the switching element may make use of a set of concentric cams which selectively drive movable contact pieces onto fixed contact pieces according to the step-wise rotation of a ratchet wheel.