Abstract: Provision of a material, which has activity of inhibiting endothelin-converting enzyme and is effective for skin whitening or antihypertension. An endothelin-converting enzyme inhibitor comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one selected from the group consisting of Hiptage candicans, Piper sarmentosum, Solanum stramonifolium, Anaxagorea luzonensis, Smilax corbularia, Ardisia elliptica, Erythrina suberosa, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Hopea ferrea and extracts thereof.

Abstract: Provision of a material, which has tyrosinase-inhibiting activity and is effective for skin whitening. A tyrosinase inhibitor comprising Syzygium polyanthum or an extract therefrom as an active ingredient is provided. Also, a compound represented by any one of the following formulae (I) to (III) and a tyrosinase inhibitor comprising the compound as an active ingredient are provided.

Abstract: Provision of a material, which has activity of inhibiting endothelin-converting enzyme and is effective for skin whitening or antihypertension. An endothelin-converting enzyme inhibitor comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one selected from the group consisting of Hiptage candicans, Piper sarmentosum, Solanum stramonifolium, Anaxagorea luzonensis, Smilax corbularia, Ardisia elliptica, Erythrina suberosa, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Hopea ferrea and extracts thereof.

Abstract: Provision of a material, which has tyrosinase-inhibiting activity and is effective for skin whitening. A tyrosinase inhibitor comprising Syzygium polyanthum or an extract therefrom as an active ingredient is provided. Also, a compound represented by any one of the following formulae (I) to (III) and a tyrosinase inhibitor comprising the compound as an active ingredient are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates a hair quality improver containing the extract, steam distillate or pressed product of a plant selected from Eucalyptus, hop, ginger, gardenia, clove or safflower. Use of this hair quality improver brings about an improvement in the quality or touch of the hair such as strength-body, fluffiness, manageability or gloss.

Abstract: The present invention relates a hair quality improver containing the extract, steam distillate or pressed product of a plant selected from Eucalyptus, hop, ginger, gardenia, clove or safflower.

Abstract: The present invention relates to flavanonol derivatives represented by formula (1): ##STR1## (wherein R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group, and each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an alkoxyl group which may have a substituent, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, or a halogen atom), as well as to hair-nourishing and hair-growing compositions containing the derivatives. The compounds accelerate differentiation and proliferation of hair matrix cells, thereby exhibiting remarkable hair-nourishing and hair-growing effects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to flavanonol derivatives represented by formula (1): ##STR1## (wherein R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group, and each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an alkoxyl group which may have a substituent, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, or a halogen atom), as well as to hair-nourishing and hair-growing compositions containing the derivatives. The compounds accelerate differentiation and proliferation of hair matrix cells, thereby exhibiting remarkable hair-nourishing and hair-growing effects.

Abstract: A vasodilating agent and a hair growth promoting agent comprising an extract of hypericum erectum thunb as an effective component are disclosed. The hypericum erectum thunb extract is prepared from ground leaf, stem, root, fruit, seed, or flower of hypericum erectum thunb by extraction with an organic solvent. It is effective for curing or preventing diseases caused by disorder in blood circulation such as hypertension, angina pectories, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, frostbite, chilblain, cold constitution, and alopecia.

Abstract: A vasodilating agent and a hair growth promoting agent comprising an extract of hypericum erectum thunb as an effective component are disclosed. The hypericum erectum thunb extract is prepared from ground leaf, stem, root, fruit, seed, or flower of hypericum erectum thunb by extraction with an organic solvent. It is effective for curing or preventing diseases caused by disorder in blood circulation such as hypertension, angina pectories, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, frostbite, chilblain, cold constitution, and alopecia.