Abstract: The effect of low molecular weight peptides extract from Earthworm (LMWPEE) on cell viability in cultured normal adult human skin fibroblasts (HSF) and normal adult human epidermal keratinocytes (HEK) was studied,separately.Its effect on synthesis of type I procollagen in cultured HSF was also studied.The results showed that,as comparing with the control group,the LMWPEE with mass concentrations between 25 and 400 mg/L significantly increases cell viability of HSF and HEK,but it has no effect on cell cycle of HSF and HEK.The effect of LMWPEE on HSF cell viability shows a certain dose-effect relationship,while best dosage of LMWPEE for HEK cell viability is 50 mg/L.LMWPEE remarkably increases the production of type I procollagen in cultured HSF.The production of type I procollagen increases by 31% (P<0.05) and 51% (P<0.01) at mass concentration 200 and 400 mg/L of LMWPEE as compared with control group,respectively.

Key words: cosmetic additives, Earthworm, low molecular weight peptides, human skin fibroblasts, human epidermal keratinocytes, type I procollagen