A natural peptide comprising a cellular growth promoting fragment of a protein selected from SEQUENCE ID NO's: 1 to 13, and a composition comprising a plurality of growth promoting peptides, is described. Also disclosed is the use of the peptides and compositions in prevention of ageing of human skin, treatment of diseases or conditions characterised by damaged epithelial cells or tissue such as colon cancer and peripheral inflammatory disorders, and wound treatment. Specific pea and rice protein derived peptides are described in SEQUENCE ID NO'S 15 to 505, and 546 to 704.
