Abstract: An astringency reducing agent including an arabinogalactan which has a molecular weight of from 10,000 to 1,000,000 and a ratio of 1,3-bound galactose to total galactose of 12 mol % or more, as an active ingredient. A method for reducing astringency, including blending the astringency reducing agent into an oral product including an astringent substance.

Abstract: Provided is an astringency reducing agent having a high astringency reducing effect. The astringency reducing agent has a cold ethanol precipitation product of pear juice as an active ingredient. A method for producing an astringency reducing agent includes placing a mixed liquid comprising pear juice and ethanol at a cold temperature to form a precipitate, and collecting the obtained precipitate.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a red perilla leaf extract which enables to collect rosmarinic acid with a high yield from red perilla leaves to which an acid is added. The method for producing a red perilla leaf extract includes the following step (1): (1) a step of extracting red perilla leaves to which an acid has been added with water under a condition of a pH of from 4.0 to 8.0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound that inhibits the activity of TRPV4 and is useful for prevention or amelioration of an overactive bladder, an irritable bowel syndrome, etc.

Abstract: Provided is a GIP elevation inhibitor useful as, e.g., a pharmaceutical product and food. The GIP elevation inhibitor comprises mannitol as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Provided is a material effective for improving the activity of nerves in the brain or for preventing or ameliorating brain dysfunction. An agent for activating astrocyte glucose metabolism, brain nerve cells activating agent, a brain hypofunction suppressing agent, a brain function improving agent, or an agent for preventing or ameliorating brain dysfunction comprising, as an active ingredient, one or more selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic solvent extracts of tien-cha, rooibos, grape and black tea.

Abstract: Provided is a material effective for improving the activity of nerves in the brain or for preventing or ameliorating brain dysfunction. An agent for activating astrocyte glucose metabolism, brain nerve cells activating agent, a brain hypofunction suppressing agent, a brain function improving agent, or an agent for preventing or ameliorating brain dysfunction comprising, as an active ingredient, one or more selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic solvent extracts of tien-cha, rooibos, grape and black tea.

Abstract: Provided is a material effective for improving the activity of nerves in the brain or for preventing or ameliorating brain dysfunction. An agent for activating astrocyte glucose metabolism, brain nerve cells activating agent, a brain hypofunction suppressing agent, a brain function improving agent, or an agent for preventing or ameliorating brain dysfunction comprising, as an active ingredient, one or more selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic solvent extracts of tien-cha, rooibos, grape and black tea.

Abstract: A xanthine oxidase inhibitor and a uric acid-producing inhibitor, each containing an extract from at least one member selected from the group consisting of Zanthoxylum bungeanum, Sorghum nervosum, Cuminum cyminum, Rosa centifolia, Pimenta officinalis, Origanum majorana, Psidium guajava, Pimpinella anisum, Olea europaea, Illicium verum, Canavalia gladiata, Hyssopus officinalis, Ribes nigrum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Artemisia princeps and Haematoxylon campechianum L.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing roasted coffee beans, comprising: a first step of adding water to raw material roasted coffee beans, followed by heating of the resultant; and a second step of subjecting the raw material roasted coffee beans after the first step to supercritical carbon dioxide extraction.

Abstract: Provided is a cycloartenol-containing composition which can be used as a material for food and beverage, cosmetics, or the like, and has high biological activities. The cycloartenol-containing composition has a cycloartenol content of more than 37% by mass, a 24-methylenecycloartanol content of more than 5% by mass, and a sum content of cycloartenol and 24-methylenecycloartanol of more than 76% by mass, relative to the total mass of sterols.

Abstract: A process for producing triterpene alcohol, comprising sequentially conducting the following steps (A) to (C): (A) subjecting ?-oryzanol to alkaline hydrolysis; (B) mixing the alkaline hydrolysate with a low polarity organic solvent, and extracting triterpene alcohol to obtain a triterpene alcohol-containing low polarity organic solvent; and (C) adding water to the triterpene alcohol-containing low polarity organic solvent thus obtained, removing the low polarity organic solvent, and then melting triterpene alcohol in hot water, followed by cooling.

Abstract: A postprandial hyperglycemia-improving agent, the agent is highly safe and exhibits excellent effects of inhibiting the postprandial increase of blood glucose. The postprandial hyperglycemia-improving agent comprises a cycloartenol or a derivative thereof as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A process for producing triterpene alcohol, comprising sequentially conducting the following steps (A) to (C): (A) subjecting ?-oryzanol to alkaline hydrolysis; (B) mixing the alkaline hydrolysate with a low polarity organic solvent, and extracting triterpene alcohol to obtain a triterpene alcohol-containing low polarity organic solvent; and (C) adding water to the triterpene alcohol-containing low polarity organic solvent thus obtained, removing the low polarity organic solvent, and then melting triterpene alcohol in hot water, followed by cooling.

Abstract: Provided are a motor function improver, an endurance improver, a muscle strength improver, a muscle strength deterioration suppressor, an anti-fatigue agent, a mitochondrial function improver, an energy consumption promoter, and a lipid combustion promoter which contain a sphingomyelin as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A postprandial hyperglycemia-improving agent, the agent is highly safe and exhibits excellent effects of inhibiting the postprandial increase of blood glucose. The postprandial hyperglycemia-improving agent comprises a cycloartenol or a derivative thereof as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A GIP-increase inhibitor, which is useful as a drug or a food, comprising a rice bran extract as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A xanthine oxidase inhibitor and a uric acid-producing inhibitor, each containing an extract from at least one member selected from the group consisting of Zanthoxylum bungeanum, Sorghum nervosum, Cuminum cyminum, Rosa centifolia, Pimenta officinalis, Origanum majorana, Psidium guajava, Pimpinella anisum, Olea europaea, Illicium verum, Canavalia gladiata, Hyssopus officinalis, Ribes nigrum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Artemisia princeps and Haematoxylon campechianum L.