Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions containing aliphatic di- and polyamine, or agmatine which are useful to regulate, i.e., stimulate or inhibit, epithelial cell growth. The compositions containing low concentrations of these compounds, by virtue of their epithelial cell growth stimulating activity, are useful in promoting wound healing, treating burns, treating ischemic, debubitus and peptic ulcers, plastic and reconstructive surgery, dermatological disorders, promoting autograft and homograft growth, stimulating organ and tissue regeneration in vitro and in vivo, as a component in defined (serum protein-free) media for cultured cells.Compositions containing these compounds in higher concentrations are useful in the inhibition of cell growth and are useful in the treatment of psoriasis and in retardation of fibrosis after injuries to the spinal cord and nervous system. Also disclosed are various methodologies for utilizing such compositions.