Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating, ameliorating or preventing diseases with sensitivity to 3,6-anhydrogalactopyranose represented by formula (1): foods, drinks, cosmetics, etc. containing as the active ingredient at least one member selected from the group consisting of the above-mentioned compound, its aldehyde, its hydrate and 2-O-methylated derivatives thereof and soluble sugar compounds containing the above compound. This compound also shows, for example, an apoptosis-inducing activity, a carcinostatic activity and inhibitory activities on the production of active oxygen, lipid peroxide radicals and NO, which makes it useful also as the active ingredient of antioxidants and preservatives.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating, ameliorating or preventing diseases with sensitivity to 3,6-anhydrogalactopyranose represented by formula (1): foods, drinks, cosmetics, etc. containing as the active ingredient at least one member selected from the group consisting of the above-mentioned compound, its aldehyde, its hydrate and 2-O-methylated derivatives thereof and soluble sugar compounds containing the above compound. This compound also shows, for example, an apoptosis-inducing activity, a carcinostatic activity and inhibitory activities on the production of active oxygen, lipid peroxide radicals and NO, which makes it useful also as the active ingredient of antioxidants and preservatives.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating, ameliorating or preventing diseases with sensitivity to 3,6-anhydrogalactopyranose represented by formula (1): foods, drinks, cosmetics, etc. containing as the active ingredient at least one member selected from the group consisting of the above-mentioned compound, its aldehyde, its hydrate and 2-O-methylated derivatives thereof and soluble sugar compounds containing the above compound. This compound also shows, for example, an apoptosis-inducing activity, a carcinostatic activity and inhibitory activities on the production of active oxygen, lipid peroxide radicals and NO, which makes it useful also as the active ingredient of antioxidants and preservatives.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating, ameliorating or preventing diseases with sensitivity to 3,6-anhydrogalactopyranose represented by formula (1): foods, drinks, cosmetics, etc. containing as the active ingredient at least one member selected from the group consisting of the above-mentioned compound, its aldehyde, its hydrate and 2-O-methylated derivatives thereof and soluble sugar compounds containing the above compound. This compound also shows, for example, an apoptosis-inducing activity, a carcinostatic activity and inhibitory activities on the production of active oxygen, lipid peroxide radicals and NO, which makes it useful also as the active ingredient of antioxidants and preservatives.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating, ameliorating or preventing diseases with sensitivity to 3,6-anhydrogalactopyranose are represented by formula (I): These compositions include foods, drinks, cosmetics, etc. containing as the active ingredient at least one such compound, its aldehyde, its hydrate and 2-O-methylated derivatives thereof and soluble sugar compounds containing the above compound. These compounds show an apoptosis-inducing activity, carcinostatic activity and inhibitory activities on the production of active oxygen, lipid peroxide radicals and NO, which makes them useful also as the active ingredient of antioxidants and preservatives.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating, ameliorating or preventing diseases with sensitivity to 3,6-anhydrogalactopyranose represented by formula (1): foods, drinks, cosmetics, etc. containing as the active ingredient at least one member selected from the group consisting of the above-mentioned compound, its aldehyde, its hydrate and 2-O-methylated derivatives thereof and soluble sugar compounds containing the above compound. This compound also shows, for example, an apoptosis-inducing activity, a carcinostatic activity and inhibitory activities on the production of active oxygen, lipid peroxide radicals and NO, which makes it useful also as the active ingredient of antioxidants and preservatives.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating or preventing diabetes, rheumatoid, diseases wherein inflammation should be inhibited, diseases wherein &agr;-glycosidase should be inhibited, diseases wherein the synthesis of prostaglandin should be inhibited, diseases wherein endotoxin shock should be inhibited, diseases wherein the production of interleukin should be inhibited, diseases wherein the production of heme oxygenase should be induced, and diseases wherein the production of tumor necrosis factor or carcinogenesis should be inhibited, which contain as the active ingredient at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 3,6-anhydrogalactopyranose represented by formula (I), its aldehyde, its hydrate and 2-O-methylated derivatives and 2-O-sulfated derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Apoptosis inducers, anticancer drugs and carcinostatic drugs containing sulfated-fucose-containing polysaccharide(s) and/or degradation product(s) thereof, and a method for inducing apoptosis by using sulfated-fucose-containing polysaccharide(s) and/or degradation product(s) thereof as the active ingredient. A degrading enzyme which is useful in the production of the degradation products of sulfated-fucose-containing polysaccharides.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating, ameliorating or preventing diseases with sensitivity to 3,6-anhydrogalactopyranose are represented by formula (I): 1

Abstract: Remedies or preventives for diseases with a need for immunoregulation, diseases with a need for inhibition of inflammation, diseases with a need for regulation of tumor necrosis factor production, diseases with a need for regulation of fungal growth, diseases with a need for regulation of cell adhesion or disease with a deed for induction of heat-shock protein, which contain as the active ingredient at least one compound selected from among cyclopentenone derivatives represented by general formula [I], optically active isomers and salts thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represents hydrogen, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group or an aromatic aliphatic group.

Abstract: Compounds represented by general formula (I) wherein X represents OH or OSO3H; and R represents a substituent other than OH which allows, after leaving, the induction of unsaturated bonds into the 3- and 4-positions of 3,6-anhydrogalactose or its sulfated derivative, and/or a substituent showing a tissue-specific affinity.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for treating, ameliorating or preventing diseases with sensitivity to 3,6-anhydrogalactopyranose represented by formula (1): foods, drinks, cosmetics, etc. containing as the active ingredient at least one member selected from the group consisting of the above-mentioned compound, its aldehyde, its hydrate and 2-O-methylated derivatives thereof and soluble sugar compounds containing the above compound. This compound also shows, for example, an apoptosis-inducing activity, a carcinostatic activity and inhibitory activities on the production of active oxygen, lipid peroxide radicals and NO, which makes it useful also as the active ingredient of antioxidants and preservatives.

Abstract: Apoptosis inducers, anticancer drugs and carcinostatic drugs containing sulfated-fucose-containing polysaccharide(s) and/or degradation product(s) thereof, and a method for inducing apoptosis by using sulfated-fucose-containing polysaccharide(s) and/or degradation product(s) thereof as the active ingredient. A degrading enzyme which is useful in the production of the degradation products of sulfated-fucose-containing polysaccharides.

Abstract: An antirheumatic agent which is characterized in containing at least one compound selected from a group consisting of 4,5-dihydroxy-2-cyclopenten-l-one represented by the following formula [I] and an optically active substance and a salt thereof as an effective component.

Abstract: An antiallergic agent which is characterized in containing at least one compound selected from a group consisting of 4,5-dihydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-one represented by the following formula [I] and an optically active substance and a salt thereof as an effective component.

Abstract: Apoptosis inducers, anticancer drugs and carcinostatic drugs containing sulfated-fucose-containing polysaccharide(s) and/or degradation product(s) thereof, and a method for inducing apoptosis by using sulfated-fucose-containing polysaccharide(s) and/or degradation product(s) thereof as the active ingredient. A degrading enzyme which is useful in the production of the degradation products of sulfated-fucose-containing polysaccharides.

Abstract: A therapeutic or preventive agent for diabetes mellitus which is characterized in containing at least one compound selected from a group consisting of 4,5-dihydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-one represented by the following formula [I] and an optically active substance and a salt thereof as an effective component.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following formula [I] or an optically active substance or a salt thereof. (In the formula, a bond shown by a dotted line in the five-membered ring means that said five-membered ring may be any of a cyclopentene ring having a double bond and a cyclopentane ring where said bond is saturated and, in the case of a cyclopentene ring, X is OH, Y is ═O and Z is H while, in the case of a cyclopentane ring, X is ═O, Y is OH and Z is OH. R is a residue after removal of an SH group from the SH-containing compound.