The healing effect of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) on open wounds was studied in rats. No improvement in wound healing was found by topical application of EGF alone to open wound sites. We found an ointment containing EGF and a protease inhibitor, nafamostat mesilate or gabexate mesilate, or gelatin accelerated the healing rate of open wounds. Significant increases in the dry weight of the wound site granulation tissue, uronic acid (as an index of acid mucopolysaccharide) and hydroxyproline (as an index of collagen) were observed by treatment with EGF ointment containing nafamostat compared with the controls. The effects of the protease inhibitor on wound healing were dose dependent. Nafamostat was more efficient than gabexate or gelatin on wound healing. The degradation of 125I-EGF in wound tissue homogenate was significantly decreased in the presence of a protease inhibitor, such as nafamostat or gabexate, or gelatin. These findings indicate that the stabilization of EGF at the wound site is an important factor in permitting the expression of its healing effects and suggest that the ointment containing EGF and a stabilizing agent would be a suitable dosage form for acceleration of wound repair.