Abstract: The invention provides a method of improving the preservation stability of glutathione in a solid composition containing glutathione and arginine. In particular, glutathione and arginine are made to be coexistent with an organic acid such as citric acid, tartaric acid, ascorbic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid and the like. The amount of the organic acid to coexistent with glutathione and arginine is generally 0.1-2 parts by weight relative to 1 part by weight of arginine.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition containing a fruit body of Agaricus blazei murill or an extract of the fruit body, and an amino acid constituting the ornithine cycle or a salt thereof, wherein the pharmacological activities of the fruit body of Agaricus blazei murill or the extract of the fruit body and the amino acid constituting the omithine cycle or the salt thereof are increased synergistically. Such a composition can contain a fruit body of Agaricus blazei murill or an extract of the fruit body, and an amino acid constituting the ornithine cycle or a salt thereof in 10-100 parts by weight per 1 part by weight of the fruit body or the extract.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of improving the preservation stability of glutathione in a solid composition containing glutathione and arginine. In particular, glutathione and arginine are made to be coexistent with an organic acid such as citric acid, tartaric acid, ascorbic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid and the like. The amount of the organic acid to coexistent with glutathione and arginine is generally 0.1-2 parts by weight relative to 1 part by weight of arginine.

Abstract: A composition for oral administration is provided, which includes at least one dipeptide represented by the formula: (wherein X represents alanyl, and Y represents valine, leucine or isoleucine), with an object of providing a composition for oral administration which is excellent in nutrition, pharmacological effect and gustation, or providing a composition for oral administration which is excellent in processing characteristics such as solubility and tableting property.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition containing a fruit body of Agaricus blazei murill or an extract of the fruit body, and an amino acid constituting the ornithine cycle or a salt thereof, wherein the pharmacological activities of the fruit body of Agaricus blazei murill or the extract of the fruit body and the amino acid constituting the omithine cycle or the salt thereof are increased synergistically. Such a composition can contain a fruit body of Agaricus blazei murill or an extract of the fruit body, and an amino acid constituting the ornithine cycle or a salt thereof in 10-100 parts by weight per 1 part by weight of the fruit body or the extract.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for oral administration, which comprises at least one kind of dipeptide represented by the formula: X-Y (wherein X represents alanyl, glycyl, arginyl, seryl, ?-aspartyl or ?-glutamyl, and Y represents valine, leucine or isoleucine), with an object of providing a composition for oral administration which is excellent in nutrition, pharmacological effect and gustation and comprises at least one kind selected from valine, leucine and isoleucine, or providing a composition for oral administration which is excellent in processing characteristics such as solubility and tableting property and comprises at least one kind selected from valine, leucine and isoleucine.

Abstract: A liver function protecting or improving agent which comprises a compound represented by the formula (I) {in the formula (I), R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 may be the same or different, and represent hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, alkoxy or alkyl; and RA represents the formula (II) [in the formula (II), R10 and R11 may be the same or different, and represent hydrogen or halogen, or R10 and R11 together represent a binding] or the formula (III) [in the formula (III), R12 represents hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, cyano or alkyl, R13 and R14 may be the same or different, and represent hydrogen or halogen, or R13 and R14 together represent a binding]} or a glycoside thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A liver function protecting or improving agent which comprises a compound represented by the formula (I) 1

Abstract: The present invention provides a liver function protecting or improving agent, foods and drinks or feeds having liver function protecting or improving activity, and additives for foods and drinks or feeds having liver function protecting or improving activity, which comprise a plant of the family Saxifragaceae or an extract of the plant. Also provided is a method of screening for liver function protecting or improving agents.