The present invention relates to the method(s) of synthesis of and the therapeutic and cosmetic applications of biologically active peptides for improving the appearance of skin, for hastening wound healing and for treating and/or preventing the progression of various conditions, injuries and diseases, including but not limited to viral hepatitis B and C, herpes zoster ganglioneuritis, diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy, nephrotic syndrome, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, bronchial asthma, respiratory infection, breast cancer, epilepsy, psoriasis, atherosclerosis and other forms of vascular obstructions, myocardial infarction, HIV and SARS infection, brain cell malfunction due to ischemia and trauma, pathologic consequences of ischemia-reperfusion, rejection reaction following organ transplantation, chemical and drug intoxication including but not limited to anesthetic, alcohol and morphine, cancer, type 1 diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, septic shock (Gram negative sepsis), Parkinson's disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, hyperthyroidism, Guillain-Barre syndrome, systematic lupus erythematosus, parasitic infections, especially leishmaniasis, and other collagen diseases, and diseases in which apoptosis occurs.