This review presents the current scientific literature data about structure, properties, and functions of collagen, which is known as one of the most abundant human and animal proteins. The building of collagen molecule from the primary structure to submolecular formations, the main stages of its synthesis and biodegradation are briefly described. The information about collagen diversity, its features and metabolic ways in various tissues, including skin, tendons, bones, etc. is presented. The problems of pathologies caused by collagen synthesis and breakdown disorders as well as age-related changes in collagen properties and their causes are discussed. A comparative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of collagen and its derivatives obtaining from various sources (animals, marine, and recombinant) is given. The most productive methods for collagen extraction from various tissues are shown. The concept of collagen hydrolysis conditions influence on the physicochemical properties and biological activity of the obtained products is described. The applications of collagen and its products in various fields of industrial activity, such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic industry and medicine, are discussed. Further prospective directions of fundamental and applied investigations in this area of research are outlined.

The low molecular fraction (below 5 kDa) was extracted from cord blood by ultrafiltration. It has been shown that the cord blood fraction possesses antiulcer activity on the model subchronic stomach ulcer. The cord blood fraction injections caused a significant reduction in the area of ulcer lesions and promoted recovery of microcirculation, thickness, and structure of gland layer, which was accompanied by a decrease in leucocytes infiltration and an increase in glycosaminoglycans synthesis. That resulted in a faster recovery of mucus membrane of stomach as compared with Actovegin. Application of the cord blood fraction in animals with stomach ulcer normalized the alkaline phosphatase activity and thiobarbituric acid-active product content. Gelpenetrating chromatography showed that the patterns of the low molecular substances from cord blood and Actovegin differed both qualitatively and quantitatively.

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