Abstract: This is to provide a useful application of plasmalogen, which is not yet known. A composition contains plasmalogen for enhancing a verbal memorization ability and/or a visual memorization ability.

Abstract: The present invention is achieved based on a novel finding that chitosan gel having retentivity in tissue has an antitumor activity and provides an antitumor composition containing chitosan gel having retentivity in tissue. The chitosan gel having retentivity in tissue of the present invention is preferably chitosan gel formed of a chitosan derivative having a carbohydrate chain introduced thereto as a base, to which a photoreactive group is further introduced to form crosslink with photo-irradiation; or chitosan gel formed of a polyion complex, which is formed of a carbohydrate chain-containing chitosan derivative and another substance, for example, an acidic polysaccharide. The antitumor composition of the present invention can suppress growth of a tumor without bringing it into contact with the tumor but by simply arranging it near the tumor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for skin care by orally administering a skin care agent comprising an ingestible carrier and natural-type N-acetylglucosamine obtainable by hydrolysis of chitin with an acid, an enzyme, or an acid and an enzyme, wherein the natural-type N-acetylglucosamine is contained in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight, by which the moisture and tension of skin can be improved and the rough skin and fine wrinkles can be prevented or ameliorated. The skin care agent may be a skin care agent containing chitinoligosaccharide in an amount of from 0.1 to 20% by weight and natural-type N-acetylglucosamine in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight; or a skin care agent containing collagen peptide in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight and natural-type N-acetylglucosamine in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight.

Abstract: An antifatigue composition for reducing muscular fatigue or the like during or after exercise, which includes an imidazole compound obtained from extracts of fishes, shelifishes, fowl, flesh or the like, as an active ingredient. The imidazole compound in the antifatigue composition is preferably at least one compound selected from the group consisting of histidine, anserine, carnosine, valenine and salts thereof. The antifatigue composition preferably further contains D-ribose as an active ingredient. By orally ingesting the antifatigue composition, the amount of lactic acid in plasma during or after exercise can be kept low, and therefore muscle fatigue caused by exercise can be controlled, and as a result, the ability to exercise can be improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for skin care by orally administering a skin care agent comprising an ingestible carrier and natural-type N-acetylglucosamine obtainable by hydrolysis of chitin with an acid, an enzyme, or an acid and an enzyme, wherein the natural-type N-acetylglucosamine is contained in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight, by which the moisture and tension of skin can be improved and the rough skin and fine wrinkles can be prevented or ameliorated. The skin care agent may be a skin care agent containing chitinoligosaccharide in an amount of from 0.1 to 20% by weight and natural-type N-acetylglucosamine in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight; or a skin care agent containing collagen peptide in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight and natural-type N-acetylglucosamine in an amount of from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a skin care agent comprising N-acetylglucosamine as an active ingredient, and a method of skin care using it. The promoter is preferably in the form of tablets, capsules, powder such as dust or granules, liquid or past. The skin care agent of the present invention may be incorporated into foods such as confectioneries, powdered soup and beverages. By orally ingesting the skin care agent of the present invention, the N-acetylglucosamine as an active ingredient is rapidly absorbed, and by utilizing a part thereof as a starting material of acidic mucopolysaccharides such as hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulfate, the moisture and tension of skin can be improved and the rough skin and fine wrinkles can be prevented or ameliorated.

Abstract: A new method is presented which is useful in the prevention of the common cold (also called non-allergic rhinitis, viral upper respiratory tract infection, viral URI, etc and for this presentation will be referred to as the “common cold”) in mammals, including humans, and which also lessens the duration and intensity of the symptoms of the said condition should infection occur. Within the scope of the present invention is a method of treating pain in mammals, such as humans. The active ingredient in these methods can be a water soluble mixture available in oral form and selected from the chitin oligomers di N-acetyl chitobiose, tri N-acetyl chitotriose, tetra N-acetyl chitotetraose, penta N-acetyl chitopentaose, and hexa N-acetyl chitohexaose, with the water soluble oral chitosan oligomers selected from chitobiose, chitotriose, chitotetraose, chitopentaose, chitohexaose, and chitoheptaose.

Abstract: An antifatigue composition by which muscular fatigue or the like during or after exercise can be reduced, is obtained by incorporating an imidazole compound obtainable from extracts of fishes, shellfishes, fowl, flesh or the like, as an active ingredient. In the antifatigue composition, the imidazole compound is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of histidine, anserine, carnosine and valenine, and salts thereof. It is further preferred to contain D-ribose as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A new method is presented which is useful in the prevention of the common cold (also called non-allergic rhinitis, viral upper respiratory tract infection, viral URI, etc and for this presentation will be referred to as the “common cold”) in mammals, including humans, and which also lessens the duration and intensity of the symptoms of the said condition should infection occur. Within the scope of the present invention is a method of treating pain in mammals, such as humans. The active ingredient in these methods can be a water soluble mixture available in oral form and selected from the chitin oligomers di N-acetyl chitobiose, tri N-acetyl chitotriose, tetra N-acetyl chitotetraose, penta N-acetyl chitopentaose, and hexa N-acetyl chitohexaose, with the water soluble oral chitosan oligomers selected from chitobiose, chitotriose, chitotetraose, chitopentaose, chitohexaose, and chitoheptaose.

Abstract: A method for treating liver dysfunction includes administering at least one member selected from a chitin oligosaccharide, a chitosan oligosaccharide and salts thereof, in an effective amount. As the chitin oligosaccharide, preferred is an oligosaccharide having a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 7. As the chitosan oligosaccharide, preferred is an oligosaccharide having a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 8. As the method for administration, it is preferred to add these oligosaccharides to foods, medicines or feeds, and to orally ingest them. However, when used as medicines, administration methods such as intravenous injection and muscular injection may be used.

Abstract: A method for treating and improving diabetes and liver dysfunction, can be obtained by administering at least one selected from a chitin oligosaccharide, a chitosan oligosaccharide and salts thereof, in an effective amount. As the chitin oligosaccharide, preferred is one having the degree of polymerization of from 2 to 7. As the chitosan oligosaccharide, preferred is one having the degree of polymerization of from 2 to 8. As the method for administration, it is preferred to add them to e.g. foods, medicines or feeds, and orally ingest them. However, when used as medicines, administration methods such as intravenous injection and muscular injection, may be used.