Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a novel ASMT expression promoter. Provided are an ASMT expression promoter comprising ectoine or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient, and a melatonin synthesis promoter comprising ectoine or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient, which promotes melatonin synthesis through the promotion of ASMT expression. Effects such as improvement of sleep disorder, improvement of cognitive function, improvement of mood disorder, enhancement of antioxidant activity, and enhancement of anti-inflammatory activity can be enhanced by promoting melatonin synthesis through the promotion of ASMT expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel substance that promotes expression of filaggrin gene involved in improvement of the moisture retention function of skin. The inventors of the present invention found that expression of filaggrin gene fluctuates rhythmically over a roughly 24 hour cycle, screened candidate substances based on the time at which expression reaches a maximum following addition of the candidate substance, and identified zanthoxylum extract, 3-(1?-piperidine)propionic acid, geranium oil, cypress oil, rose oil, galvanum oil, pepper oil, basil oil, methyl-o-toluate, methyl anthranilate and dimethyl anthranilate as filaggrin gene expression promoting agents.

Abstract: A method for promoting expression of a clock gene and/or a hyaluronic acid synthase gene in skin, comprising applying onto skin a composition comprising one kind or two kinds selected from lavender oil and eucalyptus oil, and an alkylene oxide derivative.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel substance that promotes expression of filaggrin gene involved in improvement of the moisture retention function of skin. The inventors of the present invention found that expression of filaggrin gene fluctuates rhythmically over a roughly 24 hour cycle, screened candidate substances based on the time at which expression reaches a maximum following addition of the candidate substance, and identified zanthoxylum extract, 3-(1?-piperidine)propionic acid, geranium oil, cypress oil, rose oil, galvanum oil, pepper oil, basil oil, methyl-o-toluate, methyl anthranilate and dimethyl anthranilate as filaggrin gene expression promoting agents.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a method for elevating skin temperature comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising an effective amount of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of dihydro-?-ionol and 4-methoxystyrene. Also disclosed is a method for elevating skin temperature comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising an effective amount of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of dihydro-?-ionol, 4-methoxystyrene, clary sage extract, Japanese peppermint extract, juniper berry extract, and geraniol.

Abstract: A method for promoting expression of a clock gene and/or a hyaluronic acid synthase gene in skin, comprising applying onto skin a composition comprising one kind or two kinds selected from lavender oil and eucalyptus oil, and an alkylene oxide derivative.

Abstract: The present invention provides substances that can be used in a broad range of applications and effectively regulate clock gene expression. Provided is a clock gene expression regulating agent comprising, as an active ingredient, one or more selected from the group consisting of caryophyllene oxide and compounds represented by the following structural formula: wherein X is CH3, NH2 or NHCH3.

Abstract: The present invention provides substances that can be used in a broad range of applications and effectively regulate clock gene expression. Provided is a clock gene expression regulating agent comprising, as an active ingredient, one or more selected from the group consisting of caryophyllene oxide and compounds represented by the following structural formula: wherein X is CH3, NH2 or NHCH3.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a skin temperature elevating agent that can further effectively raise a skin temperature. Another object is to provide a cosmetic composition, a food and a sundry article having a skin temperature elevating effect. A skin temperature elevating agent of the present invention is selected from one or more selected from a group consisting of: an extract of Japanese peppermint; an extract of clary sage; dihydro-?-ionol; and geraniol, and thus it can raise a skin temperature of a cheek. The skin temperature elevating agent according to the present invention is also selected from one or more selected from a group consisting of: an extract of Japanese peppermint; an extract of juniper berry; and 4-methoxystyrene, and thus it can raise a skin temperature of a hand fingertip. Hence, the skin temperature elevating agent according to the present invention can further effectively raise a skin temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sympathetic inhibitor allowing more effective inhibition of activity of a sympathetic nerve, as well as a cosmetic composition, a food, and a sundry article containing the same. Ethyl 4-methoxybenzoate is efficacious for quieting down the activity of the sympathetic nerve. The sympathetic inhibitor, the cosmetic composition, the food and the sundry article containing the same enable more effective inhibition of the activity of the sympathetic nerve.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substance which can modulate expression of a Bmal gene effectively and with a wide range of application. Provided is an expression modulator for the Bmal gene comprising, as an active ingredient, one or more selected from the group consisting of hinoki cypress extract, chlorella extract, hop extract, Zanthoxylum extract, juniper oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, olibanum, cypress oil, palmarosa oil, pineneedle oil, rose oil, ylang-ylang oil, elemi oil, petitgrain oil, pepper oil, thyme oil and chamomile oil.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substance which can modulate expression of a Period gene effectively and with a wide range of application. Provided is an expression modulator for the Period gene comprising, as an active ingredient, one or more selected from the group consisting of arnica extract, nuphar extract, black tea extract, Zanthoxylum extract, juniper oil, cedar oil, lavender oil, clove bud oil, cypress oil, rose oil, ylang-ylang oil, galbanum oil, petitgrain oil, pepper oil, thyme oil, basil oil, and beta-caryophyllene.

Abstract: Skin blood circulation is improved, skin temperature is increased, or shoulder stiffness or sensitivity to cold is prevented or improved by using, as an active ingredient, at least one of the members selected from the group consisting of an Arabian jasmine (matsurika, jasmin sambac) extract, a damask rose (Rosa damascena) steam distillate, 3-methyloctano-4-lactone, and bornyl acetate.

Abstract: Sympathetic nerve-stimulating fragrant compositions with weight-loss effects, characterized by containing one or more selected from among fennel oil, grapefruit oil, pepper oil, hyssop oil, sage oil, estragon oil, eucalyptus oil, rosemary oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil, ylang ylang oil, ginger oil, geranium oil and olibanum, or one or more from among limonene, pinene, myrcene and benzyl benzoate as the active ingredients in the oils, and preferably also containing caffeine.

Abstract: Sympathetic nerve-stimulating fragrant compositions with weight-loss effects, characterized by containing one or more selected from among fennel oil, grapefruit oil, pepper oil, hyssop oil, sage oil, estragon oil, eucalyptus oil, rosemary oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil, ylang ylang oil, ginger oil, geranium oil and olibanum, or one or more from among limonene, pinene, myrcene and benzyl benzoate as the active ingredients in the oils, and preferably also containing caffeine.

Abstract: Sympathetic nerve-stimulating fragrant compositions with weight-loss effects, characterized by containing one or more selected from among fennel oil, grapefruit oil, pepper oil, hyssop oil, sage oil, estragon oil, eucalyptus oil, rosemary oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil, ylang ylang oil, ginger oil, geranium oil and olibanum, or one or more from among limonene, pinene, myrcene and benzyl benzoate as the active ingredients in the oils, and preferably also containing caffeine.

Abstract: A natural flavor or fragrance can be easily and effectively produced by using a “unicellularized plant”, obtained by unicellularizing, without destroying, the cells of a plant usable as a starting material for a natural flavor or fragrance, as a material for the natural flavor or fragrance and further applying an enzymatic treatment or chemical treatment or continuously heating the same, to thereby remarkably shorten the aging period for producing the natural flavor or fragrance, or by homogenizing a plant usable as the starting material quickly after harvesting to thereby promote the aging.