Enhancing agent for nerve growth factor production comprising a compound having a coumarin backbone or a compound having a 2-dimethyl chroman backbone

An enhancing agent for nerve growth factor production, wherein the agent comprises as an effective ingredient at least one isolated or purified compound selected from the group consisting of

• 7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-8-prenyl coumarin,
• 7-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-6-prenyl coumarin,
• 3′-O-β-D-glucopyranoyl khellactone,
• 4′-O-angeloyl-3′-O-[6-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-khellactone,
• a compound represented by the general formula (III):
• wherein R6 is a hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, carboxyl group, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, an aromatic-aliphatic group or a saccharide residue, and pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof.

A food, beverage or feed for enhancing nerve growth factor production, wherein the food, beverage or feed comprises as an effective ingredient at least one isolated or purified compound selected from the group consisting of

• 7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-8-prenyl coumarin,
• 7-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-6-prenyl coumarin,
• 3′-O-β-D-glucopyranoyl khellactone,
• 4′-O-angeloyl-3′-O-[6-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-khellactone,
• a compound having a 2-dimethyl chroman backbone, and
• pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof.

A method for enhancing nerve growth factor production, said method comprising:

• administering to an animal, as an effective ingredient, at least one isolated or purified compound selected from the group consisting of
• 7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-8-prenyl coumarin,
• 7-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-6-prenyl coumarin,
• 3′-O-β-D-glucopyranoyl khellactone.
• 4′-O-angeloyl-3′-O-[6-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-khellactone,
• a compound represented by the general formula (III):
• wherein R6 is a hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, carboxyl group, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, an aromatic-aliphatic group or a saccharide residue,
• and pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof.