Provided are benzopyran compounds of formula I, for example, pomiferin-3′,4′-dimethyl ether, and the use of such compounds and compositions thereof to modulate (e.g., inhibit) melanogenesis and pigmentation. ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 are described herein. Also provided are plant extracts containing a compound of formula I, and the use of such a plant extract to modulate (e.g., inhibit) melanogenesis and pigmentation. The compound or plant extract may be prepared as pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of conditions that are related to aberrant melanogenesis activity.

Provided are benzopyran compounds of formula I, for example, pomiferin-3′,4′-dimethyl ether, and the use of such compounds and compositions thereof to modulate (e.g., inhibit) melanogenesis and pigmentation. ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 are described herein. Also provided are plant extracts containing a compound of formula I, and the use of such a plant extract to modulate (e.g., inhibit) melanogenesis and pigmentation. The compound or plant extract may be prepared as pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of conditions that are related to aberrant melanogenesis activity.

The present invention relates to a method of preventing or alleviating symptoms of andropause comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of an extract of Ficus auriculata Lour. To a patient in need thereof. The extract of Ficus auriculata Lour. of the present invention exhibits the effect of preventing and alleviating erectile dysfunction by inhibiting the activity of PDE5, and the effect of preventing and alleviating prostatic hyperplasia by suppressing the expression of AR and PSA.

The present invention relates to a method of preventing or alleviating symptoms of andropause comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of an extract of Ficus auriculata Lour. To a patient in need thereof. The extract of Ficus auriculata Lour. of the present invention exhibits the effect of preventing and alleviating erectile dysfunction by inhibiting the activity of PDE5, and the effect of preventing and alleviating prostatic hyperplasia by suppressing the expression of AR and PSA.

A Maclura pubescens extract or fraction or a Prunus cerasoides extract or fraction having neuroglobin (Ngb) activation and neuroprotective effects and, on the basis thereof, a neuroprotective composition containing, as an active ingredient, a Maclura pubescens extract or fraction or a Prunus cerasoides extract or fraction. The neuroprotective composition can be used, through the activation of neuroglobin (Ngb), as a pharmaceutical composition or a food composition for treatment, alleviation and prevention of a stroke, a cerebral infarction, thrombosis, cerebral degenerative disease, vascular dementia, memory loss, short-term memory impairment, a concentration disorder, anxiety, nervousness and the like, and for brain damage protection, brain function improvement and cranial nerve cell protection.

A Maclura pubescens extract or fraction or a Prunus cerasoides extract or fraction having neuroglobin (Ngb) activation and neuroprotective effects and, on the basis thereof, a neuroprotective composition containing, as an active ingredient, a Maclura pubescens extract or fraction or a Prunus cerasoides extract or fraction. The neuroprotective composition can be used, through the activation of neuroglobin (Ngb), as a pharmaceutical composition or a food composition for treatment, alleviation and prevention of a stroke, a cerebral infarction, thrombosis, cerebral degenerative disease, vascular dementia, memory loss, short-term memory impairment, a concentration disorder, anxiety, nervousness and the like, and for brain damage protection, brain function improvement and cranial nerve cell protection.

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, food composition, and food additive for preventing or alleviating symptoms of andropause containing extract of Ficus auriculata Lour. as an active ingredient.

The extract of Ficus auriculata Lour. of the present invention exhibits the effect of preventing and alleviating erectile dysfunction by inhibiting the activity of PDE5, and the effect of preventing and alleviating prostatic hyperplasia by suppressing the expression of AR and PSA. Therefore, the extract of Ficus auriculata Lour. of the present invention may be usefully used as an active ingredient of a pharmaceutical composition, food composition, and food additive for alleviating symptoms of andropause.

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, food composition, and food additive for preventing or alleviating symptoms of andropause containing extract of Ficus auriculata Lour. as an active ingredient.

The extract of Ficus auriculata Lour. of the present invention exhibits the effect of preventing and alleviating erectile dysfunction by inhibiting the activity of PDE5, and the effect of preventing and alleviating prostatic hyperplasia by suppressing the expression of AR and PSA. Therefore, the extract of Ficus auriculata Lour. of the present invention may be usefully used as an active ingredient of a pharmaceutical composition, food composition, and food additive for alleviating symptoms of andropause.

A plant extraction method includes the following steps: 1) preparation of a crude plant extraction solution; 2) separation of the crude extraction solution through a cation resin and an optional anion resin to obtain a collection solution; 3) concentration of the collection solution obtained in step 2); 4) alcohol precipitation of the concentration solution obtained in step 3); and optionally, step 5) concentration and drying. The method can effectively reduce the content of heavy metals in an extract, and reduce the amount of ethanol used in extraction, thereby improving the product quality and lowering the production cost, and the efficiency and safety of industrial production are improved. The extract obtained by this method can be used to prepare drugs for lowering blood lipid, treating abnormal glucose tolerance, treating diseases related to abnormal blood glucose, or regulating intestinal flora, and can be processed into food products, health-care products or drinks.

A plant extraction method includes the following steps: 1) preparation of a crude plant extraction solution; 2) separation of the crude extraction solution through a cation resin and an optional anion resin to obtain a collection solution; 3) concentration of the collection solution obtained in step 2); 4) alcohol precipitation of the concentration solution obtained in step 3); and optionally, step 5) concentration and drying. The method can effectively reduce the content of heavy metals in an extract, and reduce the amount of ethanol used in extraction, thereby improving the product quality and lowering the production cost, and the efficiency and safety of industrial production are improved. The extract obtained by this method can be used to prepare drugs for lowering blood lipid, treating abnormal glucose tolerance, treating diseases related to abnormal blood glucose, or regulating intestinal flora, and can be processed into food products, health-care products or drinks.