Wound healing involves a well-controlled series of interactions among cells and several mediators leading to the restoration of damaged tissue. Degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein collagen during remodelling of wound tissue leads to the release of bioactive peptides that can possibly influence the healing process. The RGD-containing, antioxidative collagen peptide E1 isolated in an earlier work was screened in this study for its ability to influence multiple steps of the wound healing process. E1 was assayed for and found to be chemotactic. Excision and incision wounds were created on separate groups of rats and E1 was administered topically. The wound tissues were isolated on the 4th and 8th days post-wound and subjected to biochemical and biophysical analysis. A significant decrease in lipid peroxides in the treatment group confirmed the in vivo antioxidant capacity of E1. The treatment group also displayed significant increase in total protein, collagen and amino sugar synthesis indicating faster ECM formation. The significantly increased rate of wound contraction and reepithelialisation along with higher tensile strength of the wound tissue corroborated the results of biochemical analysis. The results confirm the significant role played by collagen peptides in accelerating the healing process and justify their possible use as a pharmaceutical agent. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Wien.