In some embodiments, a composition is disclosed that includes pure silk fibroin-based protein fragments that are substantially devoid of sericin, wherein the composition has an average weight average molecular weight ranging from about 17 kDa to about 38 kDa, wherein the composition has a polydispersity of between about 1.5 and about 3.0, wherein the composition is substantially homogeneous, wherein the composition between 0 ppm to about 500 ppm of inorganic residuals, and wherein the composition includes between 0 ppm to about 500 ppm of organic residuals. In some embodiments, a composition is disclosed that includes silk fibroin-based protein fragments and is suitable for use in consumer applications. In some embodiments, a preserved composition is disclosed that includes silk fibroin-based protein fragments. In some embodiments, a method of preserving a solution using silk fibroin-based protein fragments is disclosed.

In some embodiments, a composition is disclosed that includes pure silk fibroin-based protein fragments that are substantially devoid of sericin, wherein the composition has an average weight average molecular weight ranging from about 17 kDa to about 38 kDa, wherein the composition has a polydispersity of between about 1.5 and about 3.0, wherein the composition is substantially homogeneous, wherein the composition between 0 ppm to about 500 ppm of inorganic residuals, and wherein the composition includes between 0 ppm to about 500 ppm of organic residuals. In some embodiments, a composition is disclosed that includes silk fibroin-based protein fragments and is suitable for use in consumer applications. In some embodiments, a preserved composition is disclosed that includes silk fibroin-based protein fragments. In some embodiments, a method of preserving a solution using silk fibroin-based protein fragments is disclosed.

A first problem is to provide a novel technique for forming hyaluronan into particles. Further, a second problem is to provide a novel technique suitable for production of a composite particle containing an anionic polymer and a peptide. Means for solving the first problem is a composite particle containing an anionic polymer, and a cationic polymer (except for chitosan) having a degree of cationization of 0.2 or more. Means for solving the second problem is to mix an anionic polymer and a peptide in an aqueous solvent having a pH of 5 or less.

A first problem is to provide a novel technique for forming hyaluronan into particles. Further, a second problem is to provide a novel technique suitable for production of a composite particle containing an anionic polymer and a peptide. Means for solving the first problem is a composite particle containing an anionic polymer, and a cationic polymer (except for chitosan) having a degree of cationization of 0.2 or more. Means for solving the second problem is to mix an anionic polymer and a peptide in an aqueous solvent having a pH of 5 or less.

A natural peptide comprising a cellular growth promoting fragment of a protein selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 13, and a composition comprising a plurality of growth promoting peptides, is described. Also disclosed is the use of the peptides and compositions in prevention of ageing of human skin, treatment of diseases or conditions characterised by damaged epithelial cells or tissue such as colon cancer and peripheral inflammatory disorders, and wound treatment. Specific pea and rice protein derived peptides are described in SEQ ID NOs: 15 to 505, and 546 to 704.

A natural peptide comprising a cellular growth promoting fragment of a protein selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 13, and a composition comprising a plurality of growth promoting peptides, is described. Also disclosed is the use of the peptides and compositions in prevention of ageing of human skin, treatment of diseases or conditions characterised by damaged epithelial cells or tissue such as colon cancer and peripheral inflammatory disorders, and wound treatment. Specific pea and rice protein derived peptides are described in SEQ ID NOs: 15 to 505, and 546 to 704.

A method for inhibiting hair growth in mammals using compositions containing FP receptor antagonists (e.g., prostaglandin F analogs that are block activation of the FP receptor). The compositions can be applied topically to the skin and/or hair. The compositions can arrest hirsutism or hypertrichosis, reverse hirsutism and hypertrichosis, and further prevent hair growth. These compositions can also be used to protect hair from chemical or radiation-induced alopecia or hair loss. These compositions can also be used to inhibit pigmentation of the hair or skin.

A method for inhibiting hair growth in mammals using compositions containing FP receptor antagonists (e.g., prostaglandin F analogs that are block activation of the FP receptor). The compositions can be applied topically to the skin and/or hair. The compositions can arrest hirsutism or hypertrichosis, reverse hirsutism and hypertrichosis, and further prevent hair growth. These compositions can also be used to protect hair from chemical or radiation-induced alopecia or hair loss. These compositions can also be used to inhibit pigmentation of the hair or skin.

The inventive subject is directed towards ready-to-use topical cosmetic formulations that include at least one defensin present in sub-antimicrobially effective concentrations. Surprisingly, even at such low concentrations, defensins recruit LGR6+ stem cells from hair follicles to the interfollicular space. Including defensins in the inventive topical cosmetic formulations may reduce one or more of wrinkle depth, wrinkle length, wrinkle width, pore size, irregularity in texture of a skin surface, oiliness, brown spots, and red spots in non-injured skin, thus reducing apparent age.

The inventive subject is directed towards ready-to-use topical cosmetic formulations that include at least one defensin present in sub-antimicrobially effective concentrations. Surprisingly, even at such low concentrations, defensins recruit LGR6+ stem cells from hair follicles to the interfollicular space. Including defensins in the inventive topical cosmetic formulations may reduce one or more of wrinkle depth, wrinkle length, wrinkle width, pore size, irregularity in texture of a skin surface, oiliness, brown spots, and red spots in non-injured skin, thus reducing apparent age.