Abstract: The present invention provides a composition that can effectively improve peripheral blood flow to thereby ameliorate cold sensation, numbness, pains and other skin symptoms, as well as frostbites, chilblains and chaps and other skin disorders associated with disturbed peripheral blood flow. This composition has no side effects. Specifically, the peripheral blood flow-improving composition contains, as an active ingredient, a extract of a plant of the genus Lepidium of the family Cruciferae. More specifically, the composition contains as an active ingredient a extract of maca plant (Lepidium meyenii Walp). Food and beverage products, perfumes and cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products containing the peripheral blood flow-improving composition are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel fat combustion accelerator which can promote lipid metabolism without changing the total consumption calories, characterized in that said fat combustion accelerator comprises proanthocyanidin as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oral skin moisturizer that is readily available to those who are suffering from dry skin, has no side effects, and when orally ingested, enhances the moisture-retaining ability of the skin. The invention also provides food products or the like that contain the oral skin moisturizer. Specifically, the oral skin moisturizer contains, as an active ingredient, a extract of a plant of the genus Lepidium of the family Cruciferae. More specifically, the oral skin moisturizer contains as an active ingredient a extract of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp). Food products, liquors, functional food products, and pharmaceutical products containing the oral skin moisturizer are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for improving physiological motor functions which is characterized in containing proanthocyanidin as an effective ingredient. It is useful as an agent for preventing and improving the fatigue in which rise in lactic cid value upon physical exercise is suppressed whereby muscular fatigue is reduced and continuous exercise is made easy, and particularly as an agent for prevention and improvement of muscular fatigue, and as a health food for prevention and improvement of fatigue.

Abstract: A composition having autonomic nerve function regulating action, comprising sesamin and/or episesamin as an active ingredient, is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circadian rhythm normalizing composition containing astaxanthin and/or its ester as an active ingredient, and a composition having the action of enhancing the circadian rhythm normalizing action of melatonin by protecting melatonin. The composition can be in the form of a drug, a functional food, a food or a beverage. This composition has a circadian rhythm normalizing action, and has the action of preventing or alleviating sleep disorder and various diseases due to disturbance of the circadian rhythm.

Abstract: By using xylobiose or xylooligosaccharide containing xylobiose as a main ingredient in place of lactulose, there is provided a blood ammonia lowering agent, a therapeutic agent of hyperammonemia or a therapeutic agent of hepatic encephalopathy that need be adminstered in smaller doses and which have no concern over side effects. Lactulose conventionally used as such drugs has to be administered in high doses and involves a safety problem when administered to patients with galactosemia or diabetes mellitus. The drug of the invention which contains xylobiose as a main ingredient solves these problems.

Abstract: A food or beverage containing an effective amount of a fructose-6-phosphate-2-kinase inhibitor which is safe and effective in vivo, such as itaconic acid, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the inhibitor as an active ingredient are disclosed. This food, beverage or pharmaceutical composition safely exerts an antiobesity, antidiabetic, and an antilipemic effect.

Abstract: A novel technique for relieving arachidonic acid deficient conditions and maintaining a good fatty acid balance in vivo. Utilizaiton of a DPA-containing material for relieving arachidonic acid deficient conditions and maintaining a good fatty acid balance in vivo; and compositions for relieving arachidonic acid deficient conditions and maintaining a good fatty acid balance in vivo which contain a DPA-containing material in an amount efficacious in relieving arachidonic acid deficient conditions and maintaining a good fatty acid balance in vivo per unit dose.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circadian rhythm normalizing composition containing astaxanthin and/or its ester as an active ingredient, and a composition having the action of enhancing the circadian rhythm normalizing action of melatonin by protecting melatonin. The composition can be in the form of a drug, a functional food, a food or a beverage.

Abstract: There is provided a composition comprising carnosine, in which said composition comprises carnosine so that the amount of carnosine per ingestion is 0.7 &mgr;g/kg to 0.09 mg/kg, and which may take the form of a tablet, a capsule, powders, granules, a drink, bread, biscuit, cake and the like. The composition preferably has an effect of controlling the autonomic nervous system, and more specifically it has an effect of preventing, improving or alleviating disturbances in the autonomic nervous system and disease conditions resulting therefrom.

Abstract: A chymase inhibitor containing as its effective ingredient a quinazoline derivative, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having the formula (1): ##STR1## and a pharmaceutical preparation for the prevention of cardiac and circulatory system diseases derived from abnormal exacerbation of Ang II production containing the same as its effective ingredient.

Abstract: A dipeptide derivative having the formula (I):R.sup.1 NH--CH(R.sup.2)--CO--NH--CH(R.sup.3)--COCH.sub.2 F (I)wherein, R.sup.1 is an aliphatic acyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms or a benzyloxycarbonyl group; andR.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently a hydrogen atom or a straight or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and a prophylactic or therapeutic agent containing the same as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A prophylactic or therapeutic agent for malignant hypercalcemia, bone Paget's disease and osteoporosis is disclosed, which contains as an active ingredient a dipeptide derivative represented by formula:R.sup.1 NH--CH(R.sup.2)--CO--NH--CH(R.sup.3)--R.sup.4 (I)wherein R.sup.1 represents an aliphatic acyl group, a halogen-substituted aliphatic acyl group, or benzyloxycarbonyl group; R.sup.2 represents a lower alkyl group or an aralkyl group; R.sup.3 represents a lower alkyl group, an aralkyl group, or methylthioethyl group; R.sup.