CA2078347C - Use of copper(ii) containing compounds to accelerate wound healing - Google Patents

Abstract

Compositions of copper(II) containing compounds for use as active therapeutic substances, to accelerate healing of wounds in warm-blooded animals, and in the manufacture of medicaments for accelerating wound healing in warm-blooded ani-mals are disclosed. Methods of the present invention include systemic loading of copper(II) to accelerate the rate of wound heal-ing following injury or surgery. The copper(II) containing compounds include copper(II) complexes with amino acids and pep-tides, and copper(II) salts.

Description

Wo gl/144371 Pcr/ussl/o2o28 ~ , ,2D783;g Description USE OF COPPER(II) CONTAINING COMPOUNDS
5TO ACC~F.~ ~P~TE WOUND HEALING

Technical Field The present invention relates in general to the use of compositions 0 of copper(II) cont~ining compounds as active therapeutic substances, includingtheir use to accelerate healing of wounds in warm-blooded ~nim~l~, and more specifically to systernic loading of copper(II) compounds to accelerate the rate of wound healing following injury or surgery to warm-blooded ~nim~1s.

5 Bacl~1oulld of the Invention Wound he~lin~ and tissue repair in h11m~n~ and other warrn-blooded ~nim~lc are often in~-lelln~te or 1ln~cceptably slow. This is especiallytrue in certain chronic Aice~ces such as diabetes in the elderly, and in cancer patients. Chronic non-healing wounds create serious medical problems with 2o infections, pain, extended hospit~1i7~tion, and costly tre~tm~-rt Wound he~1ing is a very complex process which involves the following phases or events. The first phase involves the recruitment of the proper types of white blood cells to cleanse the wound and initiate the he~1ing response.
The body seals off blood flow into the area and a white cell type called 2 5 "neutrophils" secrete toxic molecules (such as superoxide anion) into the wound to kill bacteria and induce a general infl~mm~tion The second phase involves the forrnation of gr~n~ tion tissue (a ure of fibroblasts, macrophages and new blood vessels in a loose matrix of collagen and other material) and the ~upp-ession of the infl~mm~tory response 30 This occurs while while macrophages, monocytes, and other white blood cells - invade to clean up tissue debris and open a path for mast cells and fibroblasts to follow and secrete angiogenic factors to attract capillary endothelial cells. There is a great proliferation of fibroblasts that secrete the structural protein collagen and glycos~minoglycans into the wound area. Reepitheli~1i7~tion of skin surface 35 wounds will also commence early in the second phase.
The third and final stage involves the remodeling and formation of new connective tissue components, and wound closure.

WO 9l/14437 PCr/US9l/02028 ~ 2~78347 A variety of approaches have been pursued to develop materials and methods w_ich will aid in the he~lin~ process in warm blooded ~nim~ls. One approach for the treatment of chronic wounds and skin ulcers has been the topical application of protein growth factors to the wound area (G.L. Brown et al., ~.
5 FnQ J. Med., ~:76-79, 1989). Other methods inrlll~e the topical application ofvasoactive peptides (P.A. Janssen, J. Am. Acad. nermatol., ~1:85-90, 1989) and the systemic ~dministration of macrophage activating agents such as tetrachloro~ec~--Yygen (R.A. Hatz et al., pl~ct. ~n-l Reconst. Sur~, 84:953-gS9,1989). In addition, certain peptide and peptide-derivative copper(II) complexes 10 have been shown to accelerate wound he~lin,~ in ~nim~lc when applied topically or by injection at the locality of the wound (U.S. Patent Nos. 4,665,054, 4,760,051, 4,810,693 and 4,877,770).
H~wever, even though these compounds have shown positive results in wound he~lin~, there still exists a need in the art ~or co~ osilions and methods 15 which accelerate tl e he~ling of wounds in warm-blo~oded ~nim~lc.

SummaTy of the Invention Briefly stated, the present invention discloses col~os;~ionc for use ac active therapeutic s~lbst~n~ec. In ~ ition~ the instant compositions find use in 20 accelerating wound healing irl warm-blooded ~nim~lc, and may be used in the m~nllf~cture of medicaments for such use. The co,ll~osilions inrJIlde copper(II)(i.e., Cu2+) CO..~ col"~uu~lds in combination with a pharm~ce--sically acceptable carrier or ~iltlent The present invention also discloses methods for the systemic ~l",i,.i~ tion of a therapeutically effective arnount of a composition 2 5 cont~inin~ copper(II) compounds. The methods are particularly useful to accelerate the rate of wound he~lin~ following injury or :~Ul,~ r in warm-blooded ~nim~
A~ tion of compositions of the present invention may be accomplished in any manner which ~-vill result in a systemic dose of copper(II) to 3 o the ~nim~l For example, such ~lmini~tration may be by injection (intr~m~ r, inll~vel~ous, subcutaneous or intradermal), oral, nasal, or suppository applications.
Typically, compositions of the present invention inrlllcle copper(II) con~ining compounds in solution for various forms for injection, or in pharmaceutical preparations which are form~ ted for the sustained release of the copper(II) 35 compounds for oral, nasal, or suppository dosage application. The balance of the composition or pharmaceutical l,re~aration comprises an inert, physiological WO 91/14437 PCr/US9l/02028 ~ -~ 2~783~7 acceptable carrier. Preferably, this carrier does not interact with the effectiveness of the copper(II) compounds.
Compounds of the present invention inc~ le copper(II) compounds that are capable of delivering copper(II) by systemic application. Such 5 compounds in~ lde copper(II) complexed with naturally occuring substances suchas amino acids, inclll-ling glycine, ~l~nine, valine, lysine, hictitlin~, arginine, trytophan, phenyl~l~nine, serine, le~ ine, isolell~ne, proline, or any other naturally occu~ g amino acids. In ~ tiorl to naturally occurring amino acids, a number of other subst~n~es may similarly be complexed to copper(II), incllltling10 amino acid derivatives such as 3-methyl-hicti~in~, and organic co~ oul.ds such as citrate. Preferably, copper(II) complexes of the present invention bind copper(II) in such a m~nner that, after systemic ~(lminictration~ the copper(II) may be eYrh~nEed with binding sites in the body of the warm-blooded ~nim~l For example, the binding site for copper of bovine serum albumin (BSA).
Compounds of the present invention also include combinations of two or more amino acids or amino acid derivatives complexed with copper(II), such as the naturally OC.;ulLllg dipeptide ~-alanyl-hicti~line (i.e., carnosine).
Compounds of the present invention also inrl~ e co~pe-(II) complexed with, for example, glycyl-glycine, glycyl-glycyl-glycine, alanyl-(3-methyl)-histidine, histidyl-valine, valyl-histidine, glycyl-serine, leucyl-glycine, phenyl~l~nine-glycine, arginine-lysyl-glycine, histidyl-serine, lysyl-~l~nine and tyrosyl-lysine.
In yet another embollim~-nt, compounds of the present invention include copper(II) salts, such as copper(II) slllf~te, cop~el (II) acetate, and copper(II) chloride.
2 5 In addition, compounds of the present invention also in~lude copper:peptide and copper peptide derivative complexes of the following general formulas ~l~cign~ted A through I:

A: [glycyl-L,histidyl-~lysine-R]:copper(II) 3 0 wherein R is an aminoalkyl moiety con~ining from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L,tryptophan, (glycyl)~L,tryptophan, where y= 1~, L,prolyl-Xl-L, phenylalanyl-X2 or Xl-L,phenylalanyl-X2, where Xl and X2 are selected from the group co~cisting of ~valine, ~l~nin~ and glycine, and where Xl and X2 are not 3 5 both L,valine, (X3)n-L,tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate such as glucose, m~nnose g~l~ctose, glucos~mine or g~l~ctQs~mine and n = 1-S;

WO 91/14437 PCr/US91/02028 B: [glycyl-Rl-R2-R3]:copper(II) wherein Rl is selecte~l from the group cQ~;cl;.. g of L-histidyl, ~(3-W)-histidyl and L,(S-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety cont~ining from 1 to 12 carbons atorns or aryl moiety CQ~ i"g from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is -NHCH((CH2)nNH3 + )CO- where n = 5-10; and R3 is -NH2, an ~mino~lkyl moiety co~ in~ from 1 to 18 carbon atorns, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)~ L-tryptophan, where y = 1 4, L,prolyl-X1-L, 0 phenylalanyl-X2 or Xl-L.phenylalanyl-X2, where Xl and X2 are selected from the group COl sis~ g of L,valine, ~ nine and glycine, and where Xl and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or ~(X4)n~ where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate such as ~hlcose, m~nnose, galactose, ~hlsos~mine or g~l~çtQs~mine and n = 1-5;
C: [glycyl-Rl-R2-R3]:copper(1I) wherein Rl is selected from the group consisting of L,(3-W)-histidyl and L, (S-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety cont~ining from 1 to 12 carbons atoms 2 o or aryl moiety cont~ining from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L,lysyl; and R3 is -NH2, an ~mino~lkyl moiety cont~ining from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is I~tryptophan, (glycyl)~ Lo~han, where y = 1~, L~prolyl-Xl-L, phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-~phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L,valine, L,~l~nine and glycine, and where Xl and X2 are notboth Irvaline, (X3)n-L,~ol~han, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate such as glucose, m~nnose, g~l~ctQse7 ghlcQs~mine or g~l~ctQs~min~o and n = 1-S;

3 o D: [glycyl-~l-R2-R3]:copper(II) wherein Rl is selected from the group consisting of L,histidyl, L,(3-W)-histidyl and L-(S-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety cont~ining from 1 to 12carbons atoms or aryl moiety cont~inin~ from 6-12 carbon atoms;
3 5 R2 is a basic amino acid such as arginine, a basic amino moiety such as cadave,me, spermine or spermidine, or a modiSed basic amino acid such as caprolactone; and WO 9l/l4437 Pcr/Us9l/02028 ~ 2~783~7 } 5 R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety cont~ininE from 1 to 18 carbon atorns, an aryl moiety cont~ining from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety cont~ining from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety cont~ining from 6-12 carbon atoms, an ~mino~lkyl moiety cQnt~ining from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or 5 is L,tryptophan, (glycyl)~L,tryptophan, where y = 11, L,prolyl-X1-L, phenylalanyl-X2 or Xl-I~phenylalanyl-X2, wbere Xl and X2 are selected from the group co~ cl;~.g of L,valine, I~ nin~o and glycine, (X3)n-I~tryptophan, where X3is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate such as ~lncQse m~nnl se, ~ ctQse, glucos~mine or 0 ~ ctQs~mine and n = 1-5;

E: [R1-R2-glycine-R3]:copper(II) wherein Rl is I~lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10;
R2 is selected from the group con.cicting of L,histidyl, L,(3-W)-histidyl and L,(S-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety cQnt~inin~ from 1 to 12carbons atoms or aryl moiety cont~ining from 6-12 carbon atoms; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety co.~ ing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety co.ll~ g from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy 2 o moiety cont~ining from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety cont~inin~ from 6-12 carbon atoms, an ~mino~lkyl moiety con~ining from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L,tryptophan, (glycyl)~L,tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L,prolyl-Xl-L, phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-~phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group con.cicting of L,valine, ~l~nine and glycine, (X3)n-L,tryptophan, where X3is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate such as El~-cose m~nnose, ~ ctose, ~ cos~mine or galactosamine and n = 1-5;

F: [R1-R2-R3-R4l:copper(II) 3 o wherein - Rl is L,lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3 + )CO- where n = S-10;R2 is selected from the group con.cisting of L,histidyl, L,(3-W)-histidyl and L,(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moie~h~r cont~inin~ from 1 to 12 carbonc atoms or aryl moiety cont~ining from 6-12 carbon atoms;
3 5 R3 is a basic amino acid such as arginine, an amino moiety such ascadaverine, spermine or spermidint~, or a modi~led basic amino acid such as caprolactone; and WO 91/14437 Pcr/ussl/o2o28 ,~ _ 6 ~078347 -R4 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety cont~inin~ from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety cont~inin~ from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety cont~inin~ from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety cont~ining from 6-12 carbon atoms, an ~minl~lkyl moiety c~nt~ining from 1 to 18 c~rbon atoms, or is L,L,~ptc~han, (glycyl)~ tol~han, where y= 14, L,prolyl-Xl-L, phenylalanyl-X2 or Xl-L,phenylalanyl-X2, where Xl and X2 are selected from the group concicting of I~valine, L~ ninP and glycine, (X3)n-L,ll~JLophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate such as glllcose, m~nnose, g~l~ctQse, glucos~mine or 0 galactosamine and n = 1-5;

G: [Rl-glycyl-R2-R3]:Copper(II) wherein Rl is selected from the group concistin~ of L,histidyl, L,(3-W)-histidyl and I~(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety cont~ining from 1 to 12carbons atoms or aryl moiety cont~ining from 6-12 carbon atoms;
E~2 is L~lysyl, -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO-, where n = 5-10, or a basic arnino acid such as arginine, an amino moiety such as cadaverine, spermineor spermi~line or a modified basic amino acid such as caprolactone; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety co~ in~ from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl rnoiety cont~ining from 6 to 12 carbon atom." an alkoxy moiety cont~ining from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety CO.~ from 6-12 carbon atoms, an ~mino~lkyl moiety cont~inin~ from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L,~ ophan, (glycyl)~L,tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L,prolyl-Xl-L, 2 5 phenylalanyl-X2 or Xl-L,phenylalanyl-X2, where Xl and X2 are selected from the group con~i~ting of L,valine, 1~1~nine and glycine, (X3)n-L,tryptophan, where X3is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate such as glucose, m~nnose, E~l~ctQse, ~ cns~mine or galactosamine and n - 1-5;
H: [L,alanyl-Rl-R2-R3]:copper(II) wherein Rl is selected from the group consisting of L,histidyl, L~(3-W)-histidyl and L,(S-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety cont~ining from 1 to 12carbons atoms or aryl moiety contz~inin~ from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L,lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3 + )CO- where n = 5-10; and wo 91/14437 PCr/US9l/02028 ~ 2~ 783 ~ ~ .

R3 is -NH2, an ~minn~lkyl moiety cont~ining from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tlyptophan, (glycyl)~L~ to~han, where y = 1~, I,prolyl-Xl-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or Xl-L,phenylalanyl-X2, where Xl and X2 are selected from the group concictin~ of I~valine, L-~l~nine and glycine, and where Xl and X2 are not5 both L,valine, (X3)n-L,L,~lo~han, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where ~ is a naturally occurring carbohydrate such as cose, m~nnosç~ gpl~ctQse~ gluc~!s~mine or~ ctQs~mine and n = 1-5; and I: [glycyl-Rl-R2-R3]:copper(II) wherein R1 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3 + )CO- where n = 5-10 R2 is selected from the group concicting of L,histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety cont~ining from 1 to 12carbons atoms or aryl moiety cont~inin~ from 6-12 carbon atoms; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety cont~ining from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety cont~ining from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety cont~ining from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety cont~inin~ from 6-12 carbon atoms, an ~mino~lkyl moiety cont~ining from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L,tryptophan, (glycyl)~, L,tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L,prolyl-Xl-L, 2 o phenylalanyl-X2 or Xl-L,phenylalanyl-X2, where Xl and X2 are selected from the group concictin~ of L,valine, L,~l~ninP and glycine, (X3)n-~l, yl,lophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate such as glucose, m~nnose, ~l~ctQse~ ços~mine or galactos~mine and n = 1-5.
In another embodiment of the present invention, an additional chelating agent may be added to the copper:peptide complex to form a ternary metal:peptide:chelating agent complex. Suitable chelating agents inclll~le imidazole and imid~7ole cont~ining compounds, such as histidine, and sulfur-cont~ining amino acids, such as cysteine and methionine.
3 o Methods of the present invention inclllde the systemic ~clmini~tration to the warm-blooded animal of a therapeutically effective amountof a composition which includes a copper(II) cont~ining compound of the present invention. Any pharrn~celltically acceptable form of copper(II) compound may be used in the method of this invention. The method results in a loading of a therapeutic amount of copper(II) in the animal reslllting in the acceleration ofwound healing.

WO 9l/14437 PCr/US9l/02028 Other aspects of the present invention will beco~ne evident upon reference to the following detailed description.

Det~ilçd Di~ription of the Invention The present invention discloses compo~itionC which accelerate the he~1in~ of wounds, lesions, surgical in~sion~ and other hard or soft tissue defects in warm-blooded ~nim~1~ The invention also ~ c1oses methods for the general enh~nce-ment or acceleration of wound he~1in~ by the systemic ~d~ ;sl~ation of compositions or pharmeceutical l)re~)~ations cont~inin,~ copper(II) co,ll~ou~lds of 10 the present invention.
Cornpo~ition~ cont~inin~ copper(II) compounds can be liquids with inert ingredients or pharmaceutical ~re~)arations~c~omprising a slow release forrn of copper(II) co~ oullds and suitable inert~ ingredients or pharm~ce11tiç~1 preparations for either oral, nasal, suppository, or parenteral applications. These 5 pharmaceutical pr~ ~alations can be prepared according to methods well known in the art.
.l..~i..i~l.dtion of compositions of the present invention may be ~comI)lished in any m~nn~r which will result in a systemic dose of copper(II) tothe ~nim~l For example, such ~lministration may be by injection (intr~m~
2 o inl~vellous, subc~1t~neous or intradermal), oral, nasal, or suppository applications.
Typically, compositions of the present invention inc1u(le co~er(II) cont~ining compounds in solution for various forms for injection, or in pharmaceutical preparations wbicb are forrm11~te~1 for the sllst~in~d release of the copper(II)con~)uu~lds for oral, nasal, or suppository dosage application. Tbe balance of the 2~ composition or pharm~ce~tical ~repaYation comprises an inert, pbysiological acceptable carrier. Preferably, this carrier does not interact with the effectiveness of the copper(II) compounds.
Copper(II) co~t~inin~ compounds of the present invention accelerate he.~lin~ throughout the animal and need not be ~tlmini~tered directly to 3o the damaged or affli~ted tissue. Rather, acceleration of wound he~lin~ in internal wounds is achieved by systemic ~ 'ini~l. ation of the copper(II) cont~ining compound. Many wounds are too deep or are tûû irregular to treat ade~uately by local 7~dministration of healing agents. It is also difEIcult to ~d~ is~er he~lin~
agents to wounds rem~inin~ after internal sul~e.y of bone repair. Systemic 35 5~1mini~tration permits the copper(II) CO~ compounds of the present invention to be transported to the wound site via the blood vessel network, thusper,~.;ll;..~ a natural delivery of the copper(II) compounds to the cell and tissues.

WO 9l/14437 Pcr/ussl/o2o28 ~ 9 20783~7 .

Compounds of the present invention in~ de copper(II) compounds that are capable of delivt;sillg copper(II) by systemic applic~tion Such compounds include copper(II) complexed with naturally occuring s~lbst~nces such as amino acids, jn~ ling glycine, ~l~nine, valine, lysine, histidine, arginine, 5 trytophan, pheny~ nine~ serine, lel-çin~, isolel-çin~, proline, or any other naturally occurring amino acids. In ~ ition to naturally occurring amino acids, a number of other s~bst?~nces may similarly be complexed to copper(II), inrlntlingamino acid delivalives such as 3-methyl-hi~titline, and organic compounds such as citrate. Preferably, copper(II) complexes of the present invention are capable of 0 binding copper(II) in such a m~nner that after systemic ~lii~l.alion, the copper(II) may be eYt~n~e.d with binding sites in the body of the warm-blooded ~nim~l, such as, for example, the binding site for copper of BSA.
Compounds of the present invention also jnclutle combinations of two or more amino acids or amino acid de-lv~tives complexed with copper(II), such as the naturally occuring dipeptide ,~-alanyl-histi~line (i.e., carnosine).Compounds of the present invention also in~lnde copper(II) complexed with, for example, glycyl-glycine, glycyl-glycyl-glycine, alanyl-(3-methyl)-histidine, histidyl-valine, valyl-histidine, glycyl-serine, leucyl-glycine, phenyl~l~nine-glycine, arginine-lysyl-glycine, histidyl-serine, Iysyl-~l~nin~ and tyrosyl-lysine.
In yet another embodiment, compounds of the present invention inclu~le copper(II) salts, such as cop~e, (II) slllf~te copper(II) ~cet~te, and copper(II) chloride.
In still another embodiment, compounds of the present invention include the complexes of the general formula .lesign~ted A through I above. For example, in Formula F if Rl is L,lysyl, R2 is L,histidyl, R3 is arginine, R4 is an n-octyl alkoxy moiety, and the metal is copper(II), the structure of the copper(II):peptide complex would be as follows:

Wo 91/14437 Pcr/ussl/o2o28 w v ~ - lo 207 8341 +H3NCHCO- NHCHCO NHCHCO O(CH2)7CH3 CH2 IH2 lH2 IH2 +HI NH CH2 :~P~(Il) NH3+ C =NH2+

Similarly, if R4 were an ~mino~lkyl moiety cont~ining three carbon atoms of the formula ~ H2)2CH3, the metal:peptide complex would have the 2 o following structure:

+H3NCHOO NHfHCO - NHCHCO NH(CH2)2CH3 lH2 lH2 lH2 C =CH lH2 lH2 +HN NH lH2 :~pper(ll) IH3+ C =NH2+

The chiral amino acids of the present invention have been desi~n~ted as the L form. However, one skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the D forms of the amino acids may be utilized as a substitute for 4 o the L forms.
It will be recognized to one skilled in the art that compounds of the present invention also inclllde penicill~mine, ethylento~ minetetraacetic acid, dessel~oY~ i..e, and other copper(II) chelating agents complexed with copper(II).
The ability of a chelating agent to bind copper(II) is typically 4 5 expressed as a "log K" binding or stability constant (Martell et. al., ~Q7~3347 Det~rTnin~tion ~nd Use of St~hility Con~t~nt~- V CH. Publishers IDC, Ncw Yorlc.
N.Y~ 198~ ) Preferably, the coppcr(II) cont~ining compoun~s of thc prescnt invention posscss a log K binding constant for copper(II), at physiolo~cal pH, Icss than the binding corLstant of EDTA for s copper~II). Chelating agents with binding c~ls~ s cqu~l to or greater than EDTA bind c~pper(II) too tightly, and thus will not exchange the coppcr with thebinding sites in the body of the warm-blooded ~nim~l The pcptides of the prescnt invention may ~e synthesi7~d either by solution chemical techniques or by sol~d phasc techlliques. Thc general procedure 10 illvolves the stepwisc addition of protected ~mino acids to build up thc dcsired peptide sequence. Such methodology is well known to those skilled in thc ar~
Illustrative syn~heses of complexcs of the prcsent inve~tion are presented in the examplcs herein~elow.
Within the prescnt invention, one may utilize a molar ratio of 5 pcptide or ~mino acid to copper~II) o for examplc, 1:1, 2:1 or ~eater (e.g, 3:1).
Preferably, thc peptidc or amino acid to copper(II) molar ratio is 2:1.
Ill another embodimcnt of thc present invention, a chcl~ting agent may bc addcd to the c~ppcr(II) pcptide complex to form a ternary copper(II):pcptide:chel~ting agent c~mplc~ Suitable ~hci~ting agents includc 2 o imi~l~7ole or imir~7~lC~Ilt~ining compoullds, such as 'nistidine, and sulfur cont~ining amino acids, such as cy~.teine or methionine. Thus, if thc co~ c.(II)peptide complex is glycyl-Irhistidyl-L,lysinc:copper(II), hi~h~inc maybe added to yicld the tcrIlary complcx glycyl-~his~idyl-~lysine:coppcr~ histidine. H~ .,.cr, to form such a ternary complcx, thc molar 25 .~tio of coppcr(lI) to peptide to ch~ ting agcnt TmlSt be considerc~ For cxamplc, if the r~io of peptide to coppcr(II) is 2:1, the addition of a ~hel~tin~ agcnt to the copper(II) pephde complex, although possible, is difflallt due to sitc oa upancy by the pcptidc. However, by ...~ ining the ratio of peptide to'copper(II) near 1:1,a chel~ting ~roup may readily be addcd to form the ternary complc~ Prcferably, 30 thc pcptide to coppcr(lI) to chclating agent ratio is 1:1:1.
Compc~sitions or pharmacc~ltical preparations of thc present invcntion m~y c~nt~in suitable incrt ingredients for cither oral or parenteral applications (i.e~ pharm~ tically ac~eptable carricrs). Thc diluent or carrier should not intcract with thc coppcr(II) c~nt~ining compound to significantly 3 5 reduce thc effectiveness thcreo Mc~hods for en~ps~ ting composi~ons (such as in a c~ting of hard gela~in) for oral or suppository ~minictration arc well know~ in thc art (Baker et al., Conrrolled Rel~ce Df Riolopi~l A~tive ~cntc John Wilcy and Sons, 1986 ). Suitable pharm~c~tically acceptable carriers for parenteral application, such as intravcnous, subaltaneouc or intr~mllcc~ r injection~ includc sterile water, phys~ological s~line, bacterios~atic s s~linc (saline cont~inin~ 0.9 mg/ml bcnzyl alcohol) and phosphate-bufEered saline.
Co~ osilions of the present invention m~y bc ~dministered either orally or nasally, by suppository, or by mje~tion either intravenously, subcutaneously, intr~m~ ly, or intradermally.
The balance of thc compositions or pharm~cc.ltical preparations comprises an uDert~ physiological acceptable carrier. This carrier should not interact with the active ingredients nor reduce the effectiveness of the copper(II) c~mpounds. Suitable carriers includc, but are not limiteli to, water, physiologic~l saline, bacteriostatic saline (saline cont~inin~ 0.9 mg/ml be~zyl alcohol), and pho~phate buffered saline.
An effec~ve dosage of composi~ons or pharm~cel~tical preparadons of the present invention delivers a~r~ tely 0.01 to 20 mg of copper(II) c~n~ining compound per kg body weig~ The re~ired dosage will valy ac~ording to the partiallar condition to be treated, the se~c~iL~r of the condidion, and the dura~on of the treatmen~
The follo~ exarnples are offered by way of i11ustradoD~and not by way of limit~tio~

FXAMP~ FS
To ~ iLC the examples that follow, F~mples 1-9 illust~a~e the s~.lLhcs:s of r~s-ns~t*e copper(II) cont~ining co~u~mds of the prcsent i~ven~, Fy~mples 1~17 illustrate the stim~ o~ of wound h~ling by represc~ ve copper~ll) cont~ining compounds of the present i~c~l~io~
Spc~fi~lly, Fy~ml~le 1 illustratcs the prcl~aration of ~t)ycr(II) pcptidc comple~cs. F~ le 2 illustrates the syIlthesis of glycyl-I~ dyl-L,lys~e 3 o n~yl cster copper(Il). Fy~mple 3 illustrates the synthesis of glycyl-~histidyl-L~
lycine n octyl amidc. Fy~mplc 4 illustratcs thc synthesis of glycyl-L,histidyl-L~
ly.syl-L,valyl-~phcllylalanyl-L,vali~c. Examplc ~ us~a~c the synthesis of ~
ala~l-I~histidy~-~ ly.sinc. F~mplc 6 illustrates the synth~sic of L,lysyl-I~histidyl-L,g~ycine. F~mple 7 illustrates the synthesis of L,lysyl-I~histidyl-~glycyl-~valyl-L,phenylalanyl-I~alinc. Fy~m~le 8 illustrates the s~ of g~ycyl-L,hic~dy-L, Glprol~ m F-~mplé 9 illus~atcs the synthesis of l~ dyl~ycy~ yc-ine~

WO 9l/14437 PCr/US9l/02028 .

13 20783~7~ =

Example 10 illustrates the stim~ tion of wound he~line by i~ amuscular (I.M.) injection of glycyl-L,histidyl-L,lysine:copper(II). Example 11 illustrates the stim~ tion of wound he~lin~ in hP~ling impaired rats by I.M.
injection of glycyl-I~histidyl-I,lysine:copper(II). Example 12 illustrates the 5 stimlll~tion of wound he~ling by I.M. injection of glycyl-L,histidyl-L,lysyl-L,valyl-~phenylalanyl-I,valine:copper(II). Example 13 illustrates the stimlll~tion of wound he~ling in he~linE impaired ~nim~lc by I.M. injection of copper(II) compounds. Example 14 illustrates the stim~ tion of wound he~ling in mice by I.M. injection of glycyl-L,histidyl-L,lysine:copper(II). Example 15 illustrates the 10 stim~ tion of wound he~ling in pigs by I.M. injection of glycyl-I,histidyl-lrlysine:copper(II). Example 16 illustrates the stim~ tion of wound he~ling by hydrophobic and albumin binding derivatives of glycyl-L,histidyl-Ir lysine:copper(II). Example 17 illustrates the stim-ll~tion of healing by sequence variations of glycyl-L,histidyl-L,lysine:copper(II).
~ource of Chemicals Chemicals and peptide interme~ tes l~tili7e~1 in the following examples may be purchased from a number of suppliers, for example: Sigma Chemical So., St. Louis, Missouri; Penin~ Labol~tolies, San Carlos, California;
20 Aldrich Chemical Company, Milwaukee, Wisconcin; Vega Biochernicals, Tucsorl, Arizona; Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, nlinoic; Research Biochemit~lc, Cleveland, Ohio; Van Waters and Rogers, South San Francisco, California; and Bachem, Inc., Torrance, California.

2 5 F.X~MPT .F. 1 p~FPAR~TION OF COPPF~ l'l 11 )F COMP! FxEs The copper(II):peptide complexes of the present invention may be synthesized by dissolving the peptide in distilled water, followed by the addition of purified copper(II) chloride and a then adjusting the pH of the solution. For 3 o example, copper(II) complexes of glycyl-L,histidyl-L,lysine ("GHL") with a molar ratio of peptide to copper(II) of 1:1, 2:1, or greater (e.g., 3:1), may be prepared by dissolving a given weight of GHL in distilled water (e.g., 50 mg/ml), and addingthe desired molar amount of purified copper(II) chloride. The pH of the resulting peptide solution is then adjusted to about 7.0 by the addition of a sodium hydloxide solution. Alternatively, copper(II) salts other than the copper(II) chloride may be ~lti1i7ed, such as copper(II) acetate or copper(II) s~llf~te.

WO 91/14437 PCI`/US91/02028 .

F.XAl~P~ .F. :2 SYNT~F~IS OF GT YCYI ~T HIST~DYI rT rT YSI~lE
O(~T F~ COPPF.R, (II) A mi~lule of Ne-benzyloxycarbonyl-L,Lysine, n-octanol, benzene, and p-tolueneslllfonic acid monohydrate was reflllY~d overnight using a Dean-Stark trap to remove water. After cooling, dry ethyl ether was added. The solution was then allowed to preci~ilate at 0C overnight. A portion of the precipitate solid was added to 50 ml of pot~cci~lm carbonate solution and 50 ml of dichloromethane. After extraction, the layers were separated and the organic phase was washed with water and brine, then dried with anhydrous m~gnecillm slllf~te. Filtration, evaporation and purification by ilash colurnn chromatography gave n-octyl Ne-benzyloxycarbonyl-L,lysinate.
The product was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran and rnixed with Na-t-butyloxycarbonyl-Nim-benzylo~call~onyl-L,hi~ti~line~ isobutyl chloro~orl~late and N-methylmorpholine. After evaporation, water and ethyl acetate were added.
The product was extracted into the organic phase, which was dried with anhydrousm~neSi~lm slllf~te Filtration, evaporation, and purific~tion by flash column chromatography gave n-octyl Na-t-butylu~c~l,onyl-Nirn-benzyloxycarbonyl-L, histidyl-Ne-benzyloxycarbonyl-L,lysinate.
2 o The product was dissolved in 505'o trifluoroacetic acid indichloromethane for 30 mimltes, then evaporated, forrning n-octyl Nim-benzyloxycall,olyl-L,histidyl-Ne-benzyloxycarbonyl-L,lysinate. This was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran, and isobutyl chloroformates, N-methylmorpholine and benzyloAy~bonylglycine were added to form n-octyl benzyloxycarbonylglycyl-2 5 Nim-benzyloxycarbonyl-~histidyl-Ne-benzyloxycarbonyl-L,lysinate. This was dissolved in glacial acetic acid and hydrogenated overnight in the presence of 10%
Pd-C catalyst.
The res~llt~nt n-octyl ester of glycyl-L,histidyl-l,lysine was converted to the copper(II) complex by dissolving water and mixing with equimolar copper(II) acetate. The pH was raised to neutrality with sodium hydroxide. The solution was cenLli~uged at 20,000 C g for 1 hour at 3C to remove poorly soluble material. The supernatant solution was lyophilized to obtain glycyl-L,histidyl-L,lysine n-octyl ester:copper(II).

Wo 91/14437 PCr/US91/02028 -- -- ` 1S 2d78;347 E~MPT.F 3 SYNTHF~IS OF GT.YCYT,L,HISTIDYI,T,I.YSINE
N-OCTYL Al~IDF.
A solution of Na-t-butyloxycarbonyl-Ne-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine 5 in tetrahyd~oru~ was treated with N-methyl-morpholine, isobutyl chlorofo. ..~te and octylamine at -15C- The resl-ltin~ f~lly protected octyl amide was then treated with 505'o trifluoroacetic acid in dichlorometh~ne at room telnl,er~ture, neutralized with saturated aqueous pot~ccillm bicarbonate solution, and extracted into ethyl acetate. Evaporation gave the deblocked lycin~mi~e which was added 0 to a solution prepared from Na-t-butylo~ca bonyl-Nim-benzyloxycarbonyl-L, histidine, N-methylmorpholine, and isobutyl chloroformate in dry tetrahydrofuranat -15C.
The fully protected dipeptide formed above was deblocked by tre~tment with 50% trifluoroacetic acid in dichloromethane at room temperature 15 followed by neutralization with saturated aqueous pot~cci~lm bicarbonate.
Extraction into ethyl acetate and evaporation gave the partially deblocked dipeptide, which was added to a solution prepared from benzyloxycarbonyl glycine, N-methylmorpholine, and isobutyl chloroformate in dry tetrahydlo~l at -15C. The res~ in~ protected ~ e~lide was deblocked by treatment with 20 hydrogen in the presence of 105~o p~ m on carbon in glacial acetic acid.
Filtration and Iyophilization gave glycyl-L,histidyl-L,lysine n-octyl amide as its triacetate salt.

E~MPT.F 4 2 5SYNTHESIS OF GLYCYL,~Hl~ 1 ll)YL-L-LYSY~ rL-VALY~
L-PHENYLA~ A~yTrL~vALINE~
Glycyl-L,histidyl-~lysyl-l,valyl-L,phenylalanyl-L,valine was synthesized by standard solution phase method using t-butyloAycall,onyl protecting group for the alpha nitrogen, benzylosycarbonyl group for side-chain protection 3 o and mixed anhydride method for coupling. Briefly stated, L-valine benzyl ester p-toluenesulfonate salt was coupled with t-butyloxycarbonyl-Ifphenyl~l~nine using isobutyl chloroformate and N-methylmorpholine as a coupling agent (2 hours at -20C, then 1 hour at ambient temperature). The t-butyloxycarbonyl protecting group of the dipeptide was then removed by 30~ trifluoroacetic acid in 35 dichloromethane at room temperature for 30 minlltes. Blocked amino acids (t-butyloxycarbonyl-L,valine, Na-t-butylo~yca~bonyl-Ne-benzyloxycarbonyl-~lysine, Na-t-butyloxycarbonyl-Nim-benzyloxycarbonyl-~histidine, WO 9l/14437 PCr/US9l/02028 benzyloxycarbonylglycine) were added in sequential order, and t-butylox~c~l,o,lyl protecting groups were removed to obtain the desired peptide. The ffnal peptide was completely deprotected using hydrogen gas in acetic acid for S days in the presence of 10% Pd-C catalyst. The final peptide was Iyophilized from water to 5 obtain the tri-acetate salt.

F,XAl~P~.F, S
SY~THF~IS OF L,.A~ A~ ,lr ,HISTIDYL~ YSINF
Ne-benzyloxycarbonyl-L,lysine benzyl ester hydrochloride salt was 0 suspended in tetrahydroru-~n (THF) and coupled with Na-t-butyloxycarbonyl-Nim-benzyloxycarbonyl-L,histi~line using isobutyl chloroformate and N-methylmorpholine (2 equivalents) in THF. After two hours at -20C and an additional hour at ambient temperature, the reaction was quenched with 2 N
aqueous pot~c~ m bicarbonate. The product was extracted into ethyl ~cet~te 5 washed with 1 M aqueous citric acid, and saturated sodium bicarbonate. Tbe organic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium s~llf~te. Filtration and evaporation gave benzyl Na-t-butyloxycarbonyl-Nim-benzyloxycarbonyl-l~hisffdyl-Ne-benzyloxycarbonyl-L,lysinate.
The product was dissolved in 30~o trifluoroacetic acid in 2 o dichloromethane for 30 minut~s~ then evaporate, fo~ g benzyl Nim-benzyloxycarbonyl-L,histidyl-Ne-benzyloxycarbonyl-L,lysinate. This was dissolvedin tetral,ydlor.l~an, and isobutyl chloroformate, N-methyl-morpholine and benzylo~y~l~onyl~l~nine were added to forrn benzyl benzyloxycarbonylalanyl-N~m-benzylokyc&ll,onyl-I~histidyl-Ne-benzyloxycarbonyl-~lysinate. This product 25 was then dissolved in acetic acid and hydrogenated overnight in the presence of 105~o Pd-C catalyst. T~e res ~It~nt alanyl-L,histidyl-~lysine was lyophilized from water several times to yield the desired tripeptide as a diacetate salt.

FX~MPLE 6 3 0 SYNT~ESIS OF I~LYSYLrL-HISTIDYlrGLYCINF.
Na-t-butyloxycarbonyl-Nim-benzyloxycarbonyl-L,histidine was dissolved in tetrahydrorllran (THF) and neutralized with one equivalent of N-methylmorpholine. It was then coupled with benzyl glycinate p-toluenesulfonate salt using isobutyl chloroformate and N-methylmorpholine. After two hours at -3 5 20C and an additional hour at ambient temperature, the reaction was quenched with 2 N aqueous pot~ m bicarbonate. The product was extracted into ethyl ~cetatet washed with 1 M aqueous citric acid, and saturated sodil-m bicarbonate.

WO 91/14437 PCr/US9l/02028 -` _ l7 20783~7 The organic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium slllf~te Filtration and evaporation gave benzyl Na-t-butylo~c~l,onyl-Nim-benzyloxycarbonyl-L,histidyl-glycinate.
This product was dissolved in anhydrous methanolic hydrogen 5 chloride (saturated at 0C) for 5 min~lteC, followed by removal of solvent under re-luced ~les~ule, forming benzyl Nim-benzyloxycarbonyl-L,histidyl-glycinate.
This was dissolved in tetrahydlorulan, and isobutyl chloroformate, N-methylmorpholine and Na,Ne-dibenzyl~c~l,onyl-L,lysine were added to form benzyl Na,Ne-dibenzyloxycarbonyl-I~lysyl-Nim-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-histidyl-10 glycinate (3 hours at -20C, the 1 hour at ambient temperature). This product was then dissolved in methanol/acetic acid, 1:1 (vlv), and hydrogenated overnight inthe presence of 10% Pd-C catalyst. The reslllt~nt L,lysyl-L-histidyl-glycine was lyophilized from water several times, then purified by liquid chromatography on a C-18 reverse-phase cQl~lmn to yield the desired tripeptide tri~et~te salt as a 5foamy white solid.

EXAl\~P~ F 7 SYNTHESIS OF L,LYSYL L,HISTIDYL,GLYCYL,L,VALYL, T,pHENyLAT ~NYL,L,VALINE
2 oI~lysyl-I~histidyl-glycyl-L,valyl-L,phenylalanyl-L,valine wac synthP-ci7e~ by standard solution phase method using t-butyloxycarbonyl protecting group for the alpha nitrogen, benzyloxycarbonyl group for side-chain protection and mixed anhydride method for coupling. Briefly stated, ~valine benzyl ester p-toll-en~slllfon~te salt was coupled with t-butyloxycarbonyl-L,phenyl~l~nine using 25 isobutyl chloroÇo~ ate and N-methylomorpholine as coupling agent (2 hours at -20C, then 1 hour at ambient temperature). The t-butylox,vcarbonyl protecting group of the dipeptide was then removed by 30% trifluoroacetic acid in dichloromethane at room temperature for 30 minutes. Blocked amino acids (t-butyloxycarbonyl-L,valine, t-butyloxycarbonylglycine, Na-t-butyloxycarbonyl-Nim-30 benzyloxy~rbonyl-L,histidine, Na, Ne-dibenzyloxycarbonyl-L,lysine) were addedin sequential order and t-butyloxycarbonyl protecting groups were removed to obtain the desired peptide. The final peptide was completely deprotected using hydrogen gas in glacial acetic acid for five days in the presence of 10~ Pd-C
catalyst. The final peptide was lyophilized from water and purified by liquid 3 5 chromatography on a C-18 reverse phase column to produce the desired hexapeptide in multi-gram quantity.

WO 91/14437 Pcr/US9l/02028 .
-- ~ 18 2078347 The above systematic synthesis proved adv~ntageQus over some of the solid phase methods in providing multi-grarn ~ ntity of the desired peptide in high purity with minim~l purification.

Fx~MpLE 8 SY~I HESIS OF GLYCY~ ,~ ,HISTlDY~ ,~ ,CAPROL~Cr~M
L(-)-3-arnino-e-caprolactam was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF) then coupled with Na-t-butyloAycarbonyl-Nirn-benzylo~c~luorlyl-L,histi-lin~o using isobutyl chloroforrnate and N-methylmorpholine in THF. After two hours at -20C
and an additional hour at ambient tempera~ e, the reaction was q~lenrhef3 with 2N aqueous pot~c~illm bicarbonate. This produce was extracted into ethyl acetate, washed with 1 M aqueous citric acid, and saturated sodium bicarbonate.
The orgar~ic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium s~llf~te Filtration and evaporation gave Na-t-butyloxycarbonyl-Nim-benxyloA~c~l,onyl-I~histidyl-L, caprol~rt~m The above protected dipeptide was dissolved in 30% trifluoroacetic acid in dichloromethane for 30 min~ltes, then evaporated, forming Nlm-benzyloxycarbonyl-L,histidyl-L,caprol~ct~m This was then dissolved in tetral,ydroîur~l, and isobutyl chlorofolnlate, N-methylmorpholine and 2 o benzyloxycarbonylglycine were added to form benzyloxycarbonylglycyl-Nim-benzyloxycarbonyl-I~histidyl-~caprol~ct~m This product was recryst~lli7e-1 once from ethyl acetate then dissolved in acetic acid and hydr~en~te~ overnight in the presence of 10% Pd-C catalyst. The res ~ nt glycyl-L,histidyl-L~caprol~ct~m was lyophilized from water several times, then purified by liquid chromatography on a C-18 reverse-phase column to yield the desired llipe~lide as a diacetate salt.

F.X~ F 9 SY~ SIS OF ~ ,HIS l lDYL,GLYcyI~I~LysINE
Ne-benxyloxycarbonyl-L,lysine benzyl ester hydrochloride salt was suspended in tetrahydlofuldn (THF) and coupled with Na-t-butyloxycarbonyl-glycine using isobutyl chloroformate and N-methylmorpholine in THF. After two hours at -20C and an additional hour at ambient temperature, the reaction was quenched with 2 N aqueous pot~csilim bicarbonate. The produce was extracted into ethyl acetate, washed with 1 M aqueous citric acid, and saturated sodium 35 bicarbonate. The organic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium slllf~te Filtration and evaporation gave benzyl Na-t-butyloxycarbonyl-glycyl-Ne-be~zyloxycarbonyl-I~lysinate .

The product was dissolved in 30% tri~uoroacctic acid in dichloromcthane for 30 minlltcs, then evaporated, forrning bc~zyl glycyl-N~-benzyloxycarbonyl-~lysi~a~e. This was disso}ved in tctrahydrofuran, a~d isobutylchloroformate, N-mcthylmorpholine a~d Na-bcnzyloxycarbo~yl-Nim-5 bcrlzyloxycar~onyl-~histidine were added to form benzyl Na-benzyloxycarbonyl-N~ cnzyloxycarbonyl-L,histidyl-glycyl-Ne-ocnzyloxycarbonyl-I~ ~atc. This product was then dissolved in acenc acid and hydrog~n~t~d ovcrnight in the prcsence of 10~Z Pd~ catalys~ The res~llt~nt L,histidyl-gly~l-~lysine was lyophilized from water several times to yicld the dcsircd tTipcptidc as a diacetate 0 sa~t.

FXA~P~ F 10 nol~r OF WOU~ HFA~ ~G Ry I.M. lNJFCl 10~ OF
G~ YCY~,HISTln~ rT YSI~P-COPPFR~) Thc subaltaneous impl~nt~tion of stainlcss stcel wound chambers in rats providcs a model for the healing of open canty wounds. This model in ma~y ways mimics the early e~ents in the form~tion of gr~n~ on tissue found in many types of wouIlds and surgical defec~s. Impl~nt~tion of thcsc charn~ess trigger~ a senes of rcsp~nscs which reflect the series of phascs involved in wound hcaling -20 fi~rin clot formati~n~ infiltration of whitc c 11~, collagcn synthesis, and new blood vessel formatio~
The assay i~volves thc impl~nt~tion of two Stainless steel c~ambers ( 1 x 2 S cm cylindrical 312 SS, 20 mesh~ with Tcflon end caps ) on each sidc of the dorsal mid-linc of rats. After one wcck to allow for enc~rslll~tion of thc 2 5 chambcrs, the ~nim~l was injcctcd with a solution c~nt~ining a copper(~) CO~ of the prcsent inven~ion~ C~ntrols co~sist of ch~m~ers iIljcaed with thc same volume of saline. Injcctions were madc on days 5,7,8.12,13,15,19. The chambers were removed at day 15 ~ 29.
Thc chambers were ~yophylizcd and the interior ~nterlt.~ removed 30 for biochemical analysis. The biochemical parametcrs e~mined include the total d~y weight, protein contcnt, an~ogcnesis (AlkaLinc Phosphatasc acti~ty), and collagcn contcnt (HydroxyproLine Cs~ntt~llt aftcr acid hydroly5is). Significant increases have bce~ found in all the biochc~ical parameters tcsted.
The protein was determined by thc mcthod of Lowry (J. ~iol.
35 Chem 193:265-2~5, 1951) using Bovinc Serum Albumin (BSA) as a st~nd~rd.
An~ogenesis was dcte~ed by me~ ring thc amount of ~ line Phasphatasc using p-~itrophcnyl phosphate as a substrate (G. Lylcs et aL Rio~hem Ph~

WO 9l/14437 Pcr7US9l/O~O28 .,. ~

33:2569-2574, 1984). The collagen cQntent was deterrnined by acid hydrolysis anda colormetric assay for hy~oA~roline (I. Bergrna~ lin (~him Acta 27:347-349, 1970), an amino acid specific for collagen.
I~he total protein is ~r~sed as mg protein (relative to BSA) per s chamber. Angiogenesis is ~l,ressed as ~ line phosphatase (AP) Units per chamber, where one Unit = the amount of homo~-n~te which causes an increase in absorbance at 405 nm of 1.0 per min.. The l~,~pr~line ( HP, Collagen Content ) is ~A~l~ssed as ,ug HP per chamber.
After allowing for en~rs~ tion of the chambers, the rats were 0 injected I.M. with 0.1 ml of either a saline solution cont~inin~ 10 mg/ml glycyl-L, histidyl-L,lysine:copper(II) (2:1 molar ratio) or saline. The chambers were harvested and the biochemical parameters of gr~n~ ti~n tissue formation eY~mined as described above. The I.M. in~ection of this compound ~i~nifi-~ntly increased the biochemir~l he~lin~ parameters in the rats as s.. ~rized in Table 1.

TABLE 1.
EF~ECI OF I.M. GHL,Cu ON WOUND HEALING IN RATS

mg/~ mg mg/~ILg HP/~Units AP/chamber NORMAl, RATS
SALINE --- 51 + 1~ 36 + 13 376 + 86 2.2 l 1.1 GHL:Cu 1.075 + 25 55 + 19 1273 + 711 3.0 + 1~5 3 0 NOTES TO TABLE 1:
GHL:Cu =
glycyl-L-l~istidyl-l~l~n~ ~.(II) (2:1 Molar C~
=. .=
FxAMpLE 11.
3 5 ST~MULAT~ON OF WOUND HEALING I~ HE~T ~G IMPAIRED R~TS
BY I.M. INJFCIlON OF GT YCY~,HIST~)Y~,T YSI~F-COPPF~(II) Groups of rats had wound charnbers implanted as described in Exarnple 10. After impl~nt~tinn of the chambers, the rats were subsequently injected with Cortisone Acetate (10 mg I.M. daily, Cortone Acet~te, Merck) to 40 impair the he~ling response. After allowing for encapsulation of the chambers, the rats were i~jected I.M. (in the opposite leg from the cortisone injection) with ..

WO 9l/l4437 PCr/US91/02028 21 ~ =

0.1 ml of either a saline sol-ltion cont~inin~ 10 mg/ml of glycyl-I,histidyl-L, lysine:copper(II) (2:1 molar ratio) or saline. The chambers were harvested and the biochemical parameters of gr~n~l~tion tissue form~tion eY~mined as describedin ~Yample 10.
The I.M. injection of glycyl-L,histidyl-~lysine:copper(II) in the cortisone treated ~nim~ increased the level of all the biochemical parameters eY~mined compared to the level found in the control ~nim~lc Moreover, I.M.
treatment with the GHL,Cu increased the healing res~ol.se in the he~lin~
impaired ~nim~ to the level found in the normal ~nim~ls. The results of this experiment are presented in Table 2.

EF~ CT OF I.M. GHL,Cu ON WOUND HEALING
IN HEALING IMPAIRED R~TS

COMPOUND DOSE DRY WEIGHT PROTEIN COLLAGEN ANGIOGENESIS
mg/- ;~ mg mg/chamber ~LgHP/~ .U~itsAP/ ' 2 0 HE~ALING IMPAIRED RATS
SALINE --- 20 + 12 11 + 8 187 + 101 05 + 03 GHL-Cu 1.0 35 + 13 25 + 9 366 + 74 1.5 + 1.6 NOTES TO TABLE 1:
GHL:Cu =
glycyl-L-histidyl-L l~. J~.~ (II) (2:1 Molar C~

3 0 FX~MPT F 12.
STIMULATION OF WOU~ H~ALING BY I.M. INJECIION OF
GLYCYL-HISTIDY~L`'S NE-VALINE-PHENYLA~YL-VAL NE:COPPER(II) Groups of rats had wound chambers implanted as described in Example 10. After implantation of the chambers, the rats were subsequently injected with Cortisone Acetate (10 mg I.M. daily, Cortone Acetate, Merck) to impair the he~ling response. After allowing for en~I s~ tion of the chambers, the rats were injected I.M. (in the opposite leg from the cortisone injection) with 0.1 ml of either a saline solution cont~ining 19 mg/ml of glycyl-L.histidyl-L,lysyl-valyl-phenylalanly-valine:copper(II) or saline. The chambers were harvested and .' 22 .

the biochemical parameters of gr~n~ ti~n tissue formation ~Y~mine~l as describedin Example 10.
The I.M. injection of glycyl-~histidyl-L-lysyl-valyl-phenylalanly-valine:copper(I~) in the cortisone treated ~nim~l~ increased the level of all the 5 bio~ mi~l parameters eY~min~ This ~ elml~nt is s~ ~cd in Table 3.

EFFECT OF SYSTEMIC GHLVFV-Cu ON WOUND
B~NG IN CORTISONE TREATED RATS
COMPOUND DOSE DRY WEIGHT PROTEIN COLLAGEN ANGIOGENESIS
mg/injer~iOn mg mg/chamber ~lg HP/chamber Uoits AP/chamber SALINE ~- 65 + 8 32 + 4 502 _ 145 19 + 0.4 GHLVFV:Cu 1.9 84 + 28 45 + L5 1279 ~ 1001 6.9 + 6.1 NOTES TO TABLE 1:
2 0 GHL:Cu -glycyl-L-histidyl-L l~v c-cop~- (II) (2 1 Molar C- -~r~ ) GHLV~V:Cu =
glycyl-L~ L-lysyl-L-valyl-L-pl - ~' ' yl L ~ c~ ,.(II) (2:1 Molar C A~

FX~MPT .F 13.
Sll~l~/IUT ~TION OF WOU~D HEA~ rNG IN HEA~ ~NG IMP~ED R~TS
BY I.M. INJFCrlO~ OF COPPF~ COMPOUNl~S
Groups of rats had wound chambers implanted as described in Example 10. After impl~nt~tion of the chambers, the rats were subsequently injected with Cortisone Acetate (10 mg I.M. daily, Cortone l'cet~te Merck) to impair the he?ling response. After allowing for encaps~ tion of the chambers, the rats were injected I.M. (in the opposite leg from the cortisone injection) with 0.1 ml of the copper(II) compounds listed at the dosage spe~ed in Table 4, or saline. The chambers were harvested and the biochemical parameters of 3 5 granulation tissue formation eY~min~ as described in Example 10.
The LM. injection of these compounds in the cortisone treated ~nim~lc increased the level of collagen (a major component of gr~n~ tion tissue)~ccnm~ tion above the control level found in the saline injecte~l ~nim~lc, Wo gl/14437 Pcr/US9l/02028 EF~ ~.CTS OF COPPER COMPOUNDS ON WOUND HEALING IN
HEALING IMPAIRED RATS

mg/'; ' ~r ~g HP/ ' b SALINE --- 502 + 145 GGG:Cu 03 829 + 210 CuSO4 0.2 976 + 343 15CARN:Cu 03 832 + 174 ClTRATE:Cu 05 976 + 343 2 0 GGG:Cu =
o~pc (II) (2:1 Molar complex) CuSO4 =
cupric sulfate solution CARN:Cu =
25~ c~ 1 Molar co~
ClTRATE:Cu =
.it.- '~f :~C~l'~ (Il) (2:1 Molar ~ A

FXAMPr.F, 14 3 o STIMUL~TION OF WOUND H~ .TNG BY I.M. I~JFCIlON OF
GLYCYTrHIS~IlDYL~.YSrNE:COPPF.~(II) IN MICE
The ability of co~l,e~(Ir) co..t~ compounds to accelerate wound healing in mice is demonstrated in a full thiç~nesc defect model. Following an ~cclim~tion period, mice are ~nesthetized with I.P. pentobarbital and prepped for ~u~gel~. The hair is plucked from a wide area of the mid-back. An ink stamp bearing a 15mm diameter cirde is used to mark the skin for subsequent full-thickness excision. Tissue is excised to the fascia underlying the p~nic~ lc carnosus muscle. Following excision, hemost~cic is achieved through irrigation and the use of sterile gauze pads.
4 o Mice received a first I.M. tre~tment of GHL,Cu following hemost~cic, Day 0. Injections consisted of 0.1 mg of GHL,Cu in a volume of 0.1 ml. Mice used as controls received injections of saline. Injections were repeated on days 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 13.

WO 91/14437 PCI'/US91/02028 ~ .
24 2~ 78347 The resi~lu~l wound surface area is mo~cllred on days 1, 7, 10 and 14. The final compaAson is performed on Day 14. Table 5 below illustrates that I.M. injection of GH~Cu res~-lted is an a~ro i.l.~tely 75% smaller resitl-.~l wound size at 14 days.

TABLE S
WOUND HEALING ACrlVrl'Y OF GHL,Cu IN MICE
AFTER I.M. INJECTION

TREATMENT RESIDUAL WOUND SURFACE AREA (SQ MM) SALINE -~i8 + 256 GHL:CU 0.42 + 0.60 NOTES TO TABLE 5:
GHL:Cu =
2 0 glycyl-~histidyl-L l). ~ ~. (II) (2:1 Molar C~

FX~IPLE 15 STIMUL,ATION OF WOUND HE~LING IN PIGS BY ~1~. INJECIION OF
(--Tl YCYT ,HISTII~YT rl YSINF COPPFl~(II) 25The systemic applic~tion of GHL,Cu increases the formation of gr~mll~tion tissue in pigs. Two domestic pigs ~pio ;..~tely 29-31 pounds, about 8 weeks old, were anesthetized with Ketamine (30 mg/Kg) and Ro,~ wll (5 mg/Kg). A series of full thickness skin defects .~.e~c~ g 2.0 x 2.0 cm were created on the backs of each pig and b~n~l~ed with gauze and adhesive tape.
30 One pig was treated with I.M. injection~ of sterile saline a~d the other with a solution of GHI~Cu (30 mg/ml). Eacb pig received 1.0 ml injections of either thesaline or GHL,Cu solution on days 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, and 13.
Punch biopsy samples were taken from the centers of the h~ling wounds on day 7 and day 12 and analyzed for the biochemical parameters of 3 5 gr~n~ tion tissue and described in Example 10. The results show that there was a ,signific~nt increase in the weight, collagen content, and angiog~n~siC in the biopsies from the GHL,Cu treated pig. The data from this experiment is sllmm~rized in Table 6 below. In addition, visual eY~ tior showed that the gr~mll~tion tissue in the GHL,Cu treated pig was raised above the level of the 4 0 ~ oullding skin, comr~red to a level below the skin for the saline treated ~nim~l, WO 91/14437 Pcr/US9l/02028 25 20 783~ 7 - - ~ -E~ ~CT OF I.M. GHLrCu ON WOUND HEALING
IN PIGS

TREATMENT DOSE WET WEIGHT COLLAGEN ANGIOGENESIS
mg/~ mg ~gHP/.' '~ UnitsAp/ ~ L~l_ SALINE --- 121 + 7 628 + 182 0.4 + 0.1 GHL:Cu 30148 + 11 855 + 20 2.2 + 1.2 NOTES TO TABLE 1:
GHL:Cu =
glycyl-~histidyl-L-ly~ e.jy~ I) (2:1 Molar Complex) ~XAMPLE 16.
STIMUL,ATION OF HEALING BY HYDROPHOBIC AND ALBUMIN
BINDING DERIVATIVES OF GHL,Cu Groups of rats had wound chambers implanted as described in Example 10. After allowing for ~n~rs~ tion of the chambers, the compounds to be tested were injected (0.2 ml at the dosage specified) directly through the rat skin and into the wound chambers. Controls received injections of saline. The chambers were harvested and the biochemical parameters of gr~nll~ on tissue formation eY~mined as described in Example 10.
As shown in Table 7, the mo~lifir~tion of GHL,Cu by the addition of hydrophobic moieties stim~ tes the he~lin parameters in rats.

3 0 E~CT OF HYDROPHOBIC DERIVATIVES OF GHL,Cu ON WOUND HEALING

COMPOUND DOSE WETWEIGHT PROTEIN COLLAGEN ANGIOGENESIS
mg/iniectiqn mg mg/~Lal,.~r ,ILg HP/chamber Units AP/c~amber A:
SALINE --- 85 + 30 47 + 20 335 + 132 53 + 3.6 GHLW:Cu 3.194 + 14 39 + 8 1~08 + 128 7.7 + 1.6 GHL-Octyl Amide:Cu ~6 101 + 8 n + 6 1339 + 265 6.7 + 13 WO 91/14437 PCI/US9l/02028 - . , 2078347 B:
SALINE --- 75 + 11 49 + 9 703 + 244 45 + 1.0 GHL,Octyl Ester:Cu 2.6 106 + 8 66 + 8 1918 + 565 12.4 + 3.6 NOTES TO TABLE 7:
GHLW:Cu =
glycyl-L-' 'yl L,lysyl-L,Ir~l~t~p~ ,~ (II) (21 Molarcomple~c) 10 GHL,Octyl Ester:Cu =
glycyl-L,histidyl-L,lysine octyl c~t~ ,op~.(II) (2:1 Molar ~ ~' ) GHL Octyl Arnide:Cu =
glycyl-L,histidyl-L,lysine octyl ~ le ~4~ .(II) (2:1 Molar Complex) FX~IPr F. 17.
STIMUT ~TION OF WOUND HFAT TNG BY
SROUENCE VARIATIONS OF GH~Cu Groups of rats had wound chambers implanted as described in EYample 10. After allowing for encaps~ tion of the chambers, the compounds 2 o were injected (0.2, ml at the dosage specified) directly through the rat skin and into the wound chambers. Controls received injections of saline. The chambers were harvested and the biochernical pararneters of gr~m~ ion tissue form~tion eY~minP~l as described in EYample 10. The results are ~",."l~n~e~l in Table 8.

E~ :CT OF SEQUENCE MODIFICAT~ONS OF GHL,Cu ON WOUND HEALING

COMPOUND DOSE WEI' WEIGHT PROTEIN COLLAGEN ANGIOGENESIS3 0 mg/inierfin mg mg/cL~r ~g HP/ ~ t Urlits AP/chamber A:
SALINE --- 75 + 11 49 + 9 703 + 244 4.5 + 1.0 G(3-Me)HL:Cu2.0 125 _ 15 75 _ 9 1996 _ 288 8.9 _ 55 GHCap:Cu 20 98 + 13 60 + 11 1699 _ 365 10.7 _ 3.1 AHL:Cu 2.0 74 + æ 46 + 14 1565 _ 520 10.2 + 6.5 HGL:Cu 20 104 + 13 58 _ 9 2025 _ 456 10.4 _ 3.9 -27 2 0 7 ~ 3 ~ 7 ; ~

SALINE --- 85 + 30 47 ~ 20 335 + 132 53 + 3.6 LHGVFV:Cu 3.8 95 + 18 37 + 9 1630 + 275 8.0 + 1.3 NOTES TO TABLE 8:
G(~Me)HL:Cu =
glycyl-L,(~methyl)b tyl L 1~ - c ~p- (II) (2:1 Molar comple~) 10 GHCd~,rol~ Cu =
glycyl-L~ yl c~n~ r (II) (2.1 Molar AHL:Cu =
alanyl-L-histidyl-L 1~ , cr~ (II) (2:1 Molar c , ' HGL:Cu =
histidyl ~_~1 L l~ r ~~lJf - (II) (2 1 Molar r~
LHGVFV:Cu =
Iysyl-L-' lylglycyl-L-valyl-L-p~ ' ' .,1L-val;.lc;cop~h.(II)(2:1MolarC- ~k ) From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that, although specific 2 o embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modiffcations may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accor~ gly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims (66)

Claims

1. A composition comprising:
R1 :copper(II), wherein R1 is a naturally occurring amino acid or a derivative of a naturally occurring amino acid, for use as an active therapeutic substance.

2. A composition comprising:
R1:copper(II), wherein R1 is a naturally occurring amino acid or a derivative of a naturally occurring amino acid, for use in accelerating wound healing in warm-blooded animals.

3. Use of a composition comprising:
R1 :copper(II), wherein R1 is a naturally occurring amino acid or a derivative of a naturally occurring amino acid, for the manufacture of a medicament for accelerating wound healing in a warm-blooded animal.

4. A composition comprising:
R1-R2:copper(II), wherein R1 and R2 are naturally occurring amino acids or derivatives of naturally occurring amino acids, for use as an active therapeutic substance.

5. A composition comprising:
R1-R2:copper(II), wherein R1 and R2 are naturally occurring amino acids or derivatives of naturally occurring amino acids, for use in accelerating wound healing in warm-blooded animals.

6. Use of a composition comprising:
R1-R2 :copper(II), wherein R1 and R2 are naturally occurring amino acids or derivatives of naturally occurring amino acids, for the manufacture of a medicament for accelerating wound healing in a warm-blooded animal.

7. A composition comprising:
glycyl-glycyl-glycine:copper(II), for use as an active therapeutic substance.

8. A composition comprising:
glycyl-glycyl-glycine:copper(II), for use in accelerating wound healing in warm-blooded animals.

9. Use of a composition comprising;
glycyl-glycyl-glycine:copper(II), for the manufacture of a medicament for accelerating wound healing in a warm-blooded animal.

10. A composition comprising:
[glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-R]:copper(II), wherein R is an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y= 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use as an active therapeutic substance.

11. A composition comprising:
[glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-R]:copper(II), wherein R is an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use in accelerating wound healing in warm-blooded animals.

12. Use of a composition comprising:
[glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-R]:copper(II), wherein R is an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-hyptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y= 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for the manufacture of a medicament for accelerating wound healing in a warm-blooded animal.

13. A composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10; and R3 is -NH2, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use as an active therapeutic substance.

14. A composition comprising;
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10; and R3 is -NH2, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosarnine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use in accelerating wound healing in warm-blooded animals,

15. Use of a composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10; and R3 is -NH2, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for the manufacture of a medicament for accelerating wound healing in a warm-blooded animal.

16. A composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L-lysyl; and R3 is -NH2, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use as an active therapeutic substance.

17. A composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L-lysyl; and R3 is -NH2, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use in accelerating wound healing in warm-blooded animals.

18. Use of a composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L-lysyl; and R3 is -NH2, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for the manufacture of a medicament for accelerating wound healing in warm-blooded animals.

19. Use of a composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is a basic amino acid, a basic amino moiety, or a modified basic amino acid; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)-L-tryptophan, where y= 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting or L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use as an active therapeutic substance.

20. A composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is a basic amino acid, a basic amino moiety, or a modified basic amino acid; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use in accelerating wound healing in warm-blooded animals.

21. Use of a composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;

R2 is a basic amino acid, a basic amino moiety, or a modified basic amino acid; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine, and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for the manufacture of a medicament for accelerating wound healing in a warm-blooded animal.

22 A composition comprising:
[R1-R2-glycine-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10;
R2 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use as an active therapeutic substance

23. A composition comprising:
[R1-R2-glycine-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10;

R2 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use in accelerating wound healing in warm-blooded animals.

24. Use of a composition comprising:
[R1-R2-glycine-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10;
R2 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y= 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for the manufacture of a medicament for accelerating wound healing in a warm-blooded animal.

25. A composition comprising:
[R1-R2-R3-R4]:copper(II), wherein R1 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10;

R2 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R3 is a basic amino acid, a basic amino moiety, or a modified basic amino acid; and R4 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use as an active therapeutic substance.

26. A composition comprising:
[R1-R2-R3-R4]:Copper(II), wherein R1 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10;
R2 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R3 is a basic amino acid, a basic amino moiety, or a modified basic amino acid; and R4 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use in accelerating wound healing in warm-blooded animals.

27. Use of a composition comprising:
[R1-R2-R3-R4]:Copper(II), wherein R1 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO where n = 5-10;
R2 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R3 is a basic amino acid, a basic amino moiety, or a modified basic amino acid; and R4 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for the manufacture of a medicament for accelerating wound healing in a warm-blooded animal.

28. A composition comprising:
[R1-glycyl-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L-lysyl, -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO-, where n = 5-10, or a basic amino acid, a basic amino moiety, or a modified basic amino acid; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected form the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use as an active therapeutic substance.

29. A composition comprising [R1-glycyl-R2-R3]:Copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L-lysyl, -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO-, where n = 5-10, or a basic amino acid, a basic amino moiety, or a modified basic amino acid; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y= 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected form the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use in accelerating wound healing in warm-blooded animals.

30. Use of a composition comprising:
[R1-glycyl-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L-lysyl, -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO-, where n = 5-10, or a basic amino acid, a basic amino moiety, or a modified basic amino acid; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y= 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected form the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for the manufacture of a medicament for accelerating wound healing in a warm-blooded animal.

31. A composition comprising:
[L-alanyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10; and R3 is -NH2, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L1phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use as an active therapeutic substance.

32. A composition comprising:
[L-alanyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10; and R3 is -NH2, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use in accelerating wound healing in warm-blooded animals.

33. Use of a composition comprising:
[L-alanyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10; and R3 is -NH2, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for the manufacture of a medicament for accelerating wound healing in a warm-blooded animal.

34. A composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10 R2 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use as an active therapeutic substance.

35. A composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10 R2 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, for use in accelerating wound healing in warm-blooded animals.

36. Use of a composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10 R2 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n - 1-5, for the manufacture of a medicament for accelerating wound healing in a warm-blooded animal.

37. A composition comprising a copper(II) salt for use in accelerating wound healing in warm-blooded animals.

38. Use of a composition comprising a copper(II) salt for the manufacture of a medicament for accelerating wound healing in a warm-blooded animal.

39. A composition comprising copper(II) citrate for use in accelerating wound healing in warm-blooded animals.

40. Use of a composition comprising copper(II) citrate for the manufacture of a medicament for accelerating wound healing in a warm-blooded animal.

41. An active therapeutic composition comprising:
R1:copper(II), wherein R1 is a naturally occurring amino acid or a derivative of a naturally occurring amino acid, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

42. A wound healing acceleration composition comprising:
R1:copper(II), wherein R1 is a naturally occurring amino acid or a derivative of a naturally occurring amino acid, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

43. An active therapeutic composition comprising:
R1-R2:copper(II), wherein R1 and R2 are naturally occurring amino acids or a derivatives of naturally occurring amino acids, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

44. A wound healing acceleration composition comprising:
R1-R2:copper(II), wherein R1 and R2 are naturally occurring amino acids or a derivatives of naturally occurring amino acids, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

45. An active therapeutic composition comprising:
glycyl-glycyl-glycine:copper(II), together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

46. A wound healing acceleration composition comprising:
glycyl-glycyl-glycine:copper(II), together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

47. An active therapeutic composition comprising:
[glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-R]:copper(II), wherein R is an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

48. A wound healing acceleration composition comprising:
[glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-R]:copper(II), wherein R is an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

49. An active therapeutic composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10; and R3 is -NH2, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

50. A wound healing acceleration composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10; ;and R3 is -NH2, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

51. An active therapeutic composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L-lysyl; and R3 is -NH2, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

52. A wound healing acceleration composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L-lysyl; and R3 is -NH2, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

53. An active therapeutic composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3] :copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is a basic amino acid, a basic moiety, or a modified basic amino acid; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

54. A wound healing acceleration composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is a basic amino acid, a basic moiety, or a modified basic amino acid; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

55. An active therapeutic composition comprising:
[R1-R2-glycine-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10;
R2 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

56. A wound healing acceleration composition comprising:
[R1-R2-glycine-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10;
R2 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms; and R3 is hydrogen NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

57. An active therapeutic composition comprising:
[R1-R2-glycine-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10;
R2 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms; and R3 is a basic amino acid, a basic moiety, or a modified basic amino acid; and R4 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

58. A wound healing acceleration composition comprising:
R1 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10;
R2 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms; and R3 is a basic amino acid, a basic moiety, or a modified basic amino acid; and R4 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

59. An active therapeutic composition comprising:
[R1-glycyl-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L-lysyl, -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10, or a basic amino acid, a basic amino moiety, or a modified basic amino acid;
and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

60. A wound healing acceleration composition comprising:
[R1-glycyl-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L-lysyl, -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10, or a basic amino acid, a basic amino moiety, or a modified basic amino acid;
and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

61. An active therapeutic composition comprising:
[L-alanyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L-lysyl, -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10; and R3 is -NH2, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

62. A wound healing acceleration composition comprising:
[L-alanyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms;
R2 is L-lysyl, -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10; and R3 is -NH2, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, and where X1 and X2 are not both L-valine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

63. An active therapeutic composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10;
R2 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

64. A wound healing acceleration composition comprising:
[glycyl-R1-R2-R3]:copper(II), wherein R1 is L-lysyl or -NHCH((CH2)nNH3+)CO- where n = 5-10;
R2 is selected from the group consisting of L-histidyl, L-(3-W)-histidyl and L-(5-W)-histidyl, where W is an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbons atoms or aryl moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms; and R3 is hydrogen, -NH2, an alkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl moiety containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxy moiety containing from 6-12 carbon atoms, an aminoalkyl moiety containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or is L-tryptophan, (glycyl)y-L-tryptophan, where y = 1-4, L-prolyl-X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2 or X1-L-phenylalanyl-X2, where X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of L-valine, L-alanine and glycine, (X3)n-L-tryptophan, where X3 is a -CH2- or -CH(OH)- moiety and n = 4-20, or -(X4)n, where X4 is a naturally occurring carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine and n = 1-5, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

65. A wound healing acceleration composition comprising a copper(II) salt, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

66. A wound healing acceleration composition comprising a copper(II) citrate, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.