Abstract: A composition for preventing or ameliorating multiple risk factor syndrome involving visceral fat-type obesity, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia and hypertension, which comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a licorice hydrophobic extract, a turmeric extract, a clove extract, and a cinnamon extract.

Abstract: The present invention easily and efficiently provides a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ligand, and a composition for amelioration of insulin resistance or for prevention and/or amelioration of the insulin resistance syndrome containing the same, as an active ingredient. The present invention relates to a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ligand which comprises a prenylflavonoid, a chalcone derivative exclusive of prenylflavonoids, a flavonol derivative exclusive of prenylflavonoids, and a salt, a glycoside and/or an esterified substance thereof acceptable as a pharmaceutical preparation or a food or a beverage; a composition containing the above ligand; a plant-derived extract containing the above ligand; and a process for producing the above extract.

Abstract: The present invention easily and efficiently provides a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ligand, and a composition for amelioration of insulin resistance or for prevention and/or amelioration of the insulin resistance syndrome containing the same, as an active ingredient. The present invention relates to a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ligand which comprises a prenylflavonoid, a chalcone derivative exclusive of prenylflavonoids, a flavonol derivative exclusive of prenylflavonoids, and a salt, a glycoside and/or an esterified substance thereof acceptable as a pharmaceutical preparation or a food or a beverage; a composition containing the above ligand; a plant-derived extract containing the above ligand; and a process for producing the above extract.

Abstract: The present invention easily and efficiently provides a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ligand, and a composition for amelioration of insulin resistance or for prevention and/or amelioration of the insulin resistance syndrome containing the same, as an active ingredient. The present invention relates to a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ligand which comprises a prenylflavonoid, a chalcone derivative exclusive of prenylflavonoids, a flavonol derivative exclusive of prenylflavonoids, and a salt, a glycoside and/or an esterified substance thereof acceptable as a pharmaceutical preparation or a food or a beverage; a composition containing the above ligand; a plant-derived extract containing the above ligand; and a process for producing the above extract.

Abstract: The present invention has its object to provide a specific compound derived from a naturally occurring substance, and a composition for the prevention and/or treatment of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance syndrome which comprises that as an active ingredient, easily and efficiently. The present invention relates to a composition for the prevention and/or treatment of metabolic syndrome and a composition for the prevention and/or treatment of insulin resistance syndrome, each of which comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one compound selected from among the compound represented by the formula (1), compounds represented by the formula (4) and compounds represented by the formula (5), or a salt or ester thereof.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ? (PPAR?) ligand derived from a natural product and to provide a composition for prevention or improvement of insulin resistant syndrome, diabetes mellitus, obesity, or visceral fat obesity, characterized by comprising the ligand as an active ingredient. The present invention provides a PPAR? ligand comprising as an active ingredient, at least one compound selected from the group consisting of coumaperine and derivatives thereof. The present invention also provides a composition for prevention or improvement of insulin resistant syndrome, diabetes mellitus, obesity, or visceral fat obesity comprising the compound as an active ingredient.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide IL-8 production promoters derived from safe food materials and to provide immunostimulants or preventive or treating agents of infectious disease comprising the IL-8 production promoter. The present inventors have found that a composition comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one plant extract from peppermint, dokudami (houttuynia herb), or licorice promotes IL-8 production, and that a composition comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one compound selected from the group consisting of ?-humulene, ?-pinene, ?-pinene, and L-menthol promotes IL-8 production. These IL-8 production promoters can be used in foods and drinks supplemented with immunostimulants or preventive or treating agents of infectious disease.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide PPAR? ligand derived from naturally occurring sources and a composition for preventing and/or improving Insulin Resistance Syndrome, diabetes mellitus, obesity or visceral fat obesity comprising the PPAR? ligand as an active agent. The present invention relates to a ligand for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor which comprises curcumin or its derivatives. The composition according to the present invention, which comprises the PPAR? ligand as an active agent is useful for preventing and/or improving Insulin Resistance Syndrome, diabetes mellitus, obesity or visceral fat obesity.

Abstract: The invention aims at a composition for preventing or ameliorating multiple risk factor syndrome involving visceral fat-type obesity, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia and hypertension, which comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a licorice hydrophobic extract, a turmeric extract, a clove extract, and a cinnamon extract.

Abstract: The present invention easily and efficiently provides a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ligand, and a composition for amelioration of insulin resistance or for prevention and/or amelioration of the insulin resistance syndrome containing the same, as an active ingredient. The present invention relates to a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ligand which comprises a prenylflavonoid, a chalcone derivative exclusive of prenyl flavonoids, a flavonol derivative exclusive of prenylflavonoids, and a salt, a glycoside and/or an esterified substance thereof acceptable as a pharmaceutical preparation or a food or a beverage; a composition containing the above ligand; a plant-derived extract containing the above ligand; and a process for producing the above extract.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide PPAR&ggr; ligand derived from naturally occurring sources and a composition for preventing and/or improving Insulin Resistance Syndrome, diabetes mellitus, obesity or visceral fat obesity comprising the PPAR&ggr; ligand as an active agent.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a composition having a TNF production inhibitory effect and TNF production inhibitors, which raise no adverse effect or safety problem, can inhibit any excessive production of TNF and is useful in the prevention or amelioration of various TNF-mediated diseases, such as chronic inflammatory diseases, acute inflammatory diseases, infectious inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, and allergic diseases.

Abstract: The invention aims at a composition for preventing or ameliorating multiple risk factor syndrome involving visceral fat-type obesity, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia and hypertension,

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide PPAR&ggr; ligand derived from naturally occurring sources and a composition for preventing and/or improving Insulin Resistance Syndrome, diabetes mellitus, obesity or visceral fat obesity comprising the PPAR&ggr; ligand as an active agent.