Abstract: It is intended to prepare a composition which contains polysaccharide at a high concentration and yet remains in the state of a liquid having low viscosity to thereby provide drugs, eyedrops, foods, cosmetics, toiletry products having a novel texture or function. The composition in the state of a liquid having low viscosity is obtained by heating polysaccharide at a high concentration in a water-containing liquid and then cooling under applying a shear force, which enables the provision of the above-described drugs. The composition is usable as an aqueous drug vehicle which is free from gelling due to temperature changes during storage and easily applied without pouring and/or streaming down. Eyedrops containing agar have an effect of enhancing ocular drug penetration. Eyedrops containing particulate agar maintain a low viscosity and, achieve easy instillation and impart a favorable feel in instillation.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a composition which is excellent in safety and capable of dispersing uniformly on the mucous tissue when topically administered to mammals, and an ophthalmic solution comprising the composition and capable of stabilizing the tear film and keeping the tear film on the eyeball surface smooth. In a composition comprising a polysaccharide, particularly agar, and water as essential components, an ophthalmic solution comprising the agar-containing composition of which an amount of precipitated agar after performing centrifugal separation at with 40,000 ×g is less than 65 wt % of a total agar content has an excellent tear film stabilizing effect which was proved by a test on changes of corneal surface irregularity. Therefore, the agar-containing ophthalmic solution of the present invention has the effect of stabilizing the tear film on the eyeball surface over a prolonged period of time and is usable as an artificial tear fluid.

Abstract: It is intended to prepare a composition which contains polysaccharide at a high concentration and yet remains in the state of a liquid having low viscosity to thereby provide drugs, eyedrops, foods, cosmetics, toiletry products having a novel texture or function. The composition in the state of a liquid having low viscosity is obtained by heating polysaccharide at a high concentration in a water-containing liquid and then cooling under applying a shear force, which enables the provision of the above-described drugs. The composition is usable as an aqueous drug vehicle which is free from gelling due to temperature changes during storage and easily applied without pouring and/or streaming down. Eyedrops containing agar have an effect of enhancing ocular drug penetration. Eyedrops containing particulate agar maintain a low viscosity and, achieve easy instillation and impart a favorable feel in instillation.