| abstract |
The object of the present invention is to elucidate anbiologically active function of a component constitutingnundegraded sericin and to provide a novel medical material,ncosmetic material, etc. utilizing the functional composition. n Disclosed is a cell growth promoter obtainable by elutionnfrom a fiber discharged by a domestic silkworm, e.g., cocoonnfilaments or the like, wherein the cell growth promoter comprisesnsericin having a molecular weight of about 400,000 as measurednby sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresisn(SDS-PAGE) as a main component. n This cell growth promoting agent (substance) is extremelynuseful because growth of cells is promoted when it is used inna wound dressing material, a vascular endothelium formingnmaterial and an organ forming material for medical use, in a cellnculture base material for biological use, or in a cosmeticnmaterial for skin care use. |