The objective of this study was to develop effective oral formulations of rhEGF for gastric ulcer healing using polycarbophil, hydroxypropylcellulose(HPC) and sucralfate as its bioadhesive bases. Cytoprotective effects of rhEGF, cell proliferation and differentiation, on the ulcers induced by ethanol or acetic acid in rats were studied. rhEGF release from HPC formulation was much faster than that from polycarbophil formulation. HPC formulation combined with small amount of sucralfate showed much slower release of rhEGF than only HPC base only. rhEGF preparations with bioadhesive polymers showed better effects on the healing of gastric ulcers than EGF solution when administered orally. When rhEGF preparations were administered at once and the animals were under starvation, polycarbophil formulation showed better effect on gastric ulcers than HPC formulation. Otherwise, when rhEGF preparations were given more than three times and the rats were fed normally. HPC formulation showed good healing efficacy of ulcers compared to polycarbophil formulation. rhEGF showed dose-dependent effect on the healing of both chronic and acute ulcers.