The present invention relates to the field of prebiotics. Provided are uses for compositions comprising synergistically effective amounts of polyfructose and galactooligosaccharides (GOS).

The present invention provides a beverage and a dermatological composition comprising water molecules, the water molecules having oxygen atoms of different isotopes, the beverage being enriched in at least one of the oxygen isotopes, the enrichment being in reference to (i) the amount of that oxygen isotope in the water used to produce the beverage or (ii) the amount of that oxygen isotope in ground water, or (iii) Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water. The water molecules may be derived from a plant source, such as a juice, a sap or a tree water.

The present invention provides a beverage and a dermatological composition comprising water molecules, the water molecules having oxygen atoms of different isotopes, the beverage being enriched in at least one of the oxygen isotopes, the enrichment being in reference to (i) the amount of that oxygen isotope in the water used to produce the beverage or (ii) the amount of that oxygen isotope in ground water, or (iii) Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water. The water molecules may be derived from a plant source, such as a juice, a sap or a tree water.

An extract from leaves of mulberry is disclosed. The extract has an IC.sub.50 value sufficient to inhibit -glucosidase I. The extract may comprise 5-40% (w/w) total imino sugars and 20-70% (w/w) total amino acids. The extract may reduce the production of melanin for the treatment of such ailments or diseases caused by pigmentation as freckle, chloasma, striae gravidarum, sensile plaque and melanoma. The extract may also control blood glucose level.

An extract from leaves of mulberry is disclosed. The extract has an IC.sub.50 value sufficient to inhibit -glucosidase I. The extract may comprise 5-40% (w/w) total imino sugars and 20-70% (w/w) total amino acids. The extract may reduce the production of melanin for the treatment of such ailments or diseases caused by pigmentation as freckle, chloasma, striae gravidarum, sensile plaque and melanoma. The extract may also control blood glucose level.

A skin whitening composition includes amorphigeni or a salt thereof as an effective ingredient. Amorphigeni suppresses the expression of tyrosinase and induces autophagy on melanosomes. As such, it was confirmed that amorphigeni not only suppresses melanin production but also exhibits the effect of removing melanin previously produced by -MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone). Accordingly, amorphigeni can be advantageously used as a functional material for skin whitening and skin lightening.

Provided are a method of efficiently producing a ginseng leaf extract including rare ginsenosides Rg6, Rk3, and Rh4 in increased amounts, and use of a ginseng leaf extract produced by the method.

The present invention relates to a use of a banana stamen extract for promoting hair growth. The banana stamen extract according to the present invention promotes gene expression of VEGF and IGF1 to enhance the proliferation level of hair follicles, so that the density of hairs grown is increased. In addition, the banana stamen extract also inhibits gene expression of SRD5A1, SRDA2 and AR to decrease hair loss, and promote the gene expression of KROX20 so as to significantly enhance hair growth.

The present invention relates to a use of a banana stamen extract for promoting hair growth. The banana stamen extract according to the present invention promotes gene expression of VEGF and IGF1 to enhance the proliferation level of hair follicles, so that the density of hairs grown is increased. In addition, the banana stamen extract also inhibits gene expression of SRD5A1, SRDA2 and AR to decrease hair loss, and promote the gene expression of KROX20 so as to significantly enhance hair growth.

The present invention provides dietary formulations comprising polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. The present invention further provides methods of treating various conditions, generally involving administering to an individual in need thereof an effective amount of a subject dietary formulation.