peptidex.
BPC-157 — Synthetic pentadecapeptide. 15-residue sequence shown as a side-chain class strip (3 acidic, 1 basic, 11 nonpolar). Molecular weight 1419.5 Da. Half-life <30 minutes.
Healing & Recovery

BPC-157

Synthetic pentadecapeptide

A 15-amino-acid synthetic peptide fragment studied for its purported role in tissue-repair research.

Compare compound

Also referenced as: Body Protection Compound 157, Pentadecapeptide BPC 157, BPC157

15 aat½ <30 minutes (elimination, reported in rats/dogs)
Compiled by PeptiDexProfile review date 4 linked referencesHow to read the evidence ↗
For research and educational purposes only. This page is a factual research reference, not medical advice. Any dosing figures shown are amounts reported in the research literature, provided for educational context — not instructions or recommendations for human use.

Overview

BPC-157 is a synthetic peptide whose sequence corresponds to a partial fragment of human body protection compound (BPC), a protein reported to be present in gastric juice. It does not occur naturally as an isolated peptide and is produced synthetically for research.

At a glance

ClassSynthetic pentadecapeptide
CategoryHealing & Recovery
SequenceGly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val
Chain length15 amino acids
Molecular weight1419.5 Da
Half-life<30 minutes (elimination, reported in rats/dogs)
AliasesBody Protection Compound 157, Pentadecapeptide BPC 157, BPC157
Page purposeResearch and educational reference
Regulatory statusBPC-157 is research-only and is not approved as a drug by the FDA or EMA. It is not an authorized dietary supplement; U.S. regulators have flagged it as not meeting requirements for use in compounded medications. Educational information only, not medical advice.

Selected evidence, in context

A closer reading of selected linked publications. This is not a systematic review, an evidence grade or a complete account of safety and effectiveness.

Preclinical mechanism experiments

Therapeutic potential of pro-angiogenic BPC157 is associated with VEGFR2 activation and up-regulation

Population or model
Chick membrane assay, rats with hind-limb ischemia, and cultured vascular endothelial cells
Research question
Is BPC-157-associated blood-vessel formation linked to VEGFR2 signaling?
Reported finding
BPC-157 increased vessel formation in the tested models and improved blood-flow recovery in rats. Experiments linked these observations to VEGFR2 expression, internalization, and downstream signaling.
What this cannot establish
These are animal and cell experiments. They do not demonstrate healing benefits, safety, or an established treatment mechanism in people.

Reading note checked 2026-09-20 · PMID 27847966 · citation and indexing details

Preclinical pharmacokinetic and metabolism study

Pharmacokinetics, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of body-protective compound 157, a potential drug for treating various wounds, in rats and dogs

Population or model
Rats and beagle dogs after intravenous or intramuscular administration
Research question
How is BPC-157 absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated in these animal models?
Reported finding
The measured elimination half-life was under 30 minutes. Intramuscular bioavailability differed between rats and dogs, and the researchers identified breakdown into smaller peptide fragments.
What this cannot establish
The study does not establish human half-life, human bioavailability, subcutaneous pharmacokinetics, or a dosing interval.

Reading note checked 2026-09-20 · PMID 36588717 · citation and indexing details

What BPC-157 does

BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid sequence derived from a protein found in human gastric juice, and the bulk of what is known about it comes from cytoprotection and tissue-repair studies. In these preclinical models it acts primarily as an angiogenic and cytoprotective agent: it promotes the formation of new blood vessels at injury sites, stabilizes existing endothelium, and speeds the migration and proliferation of the fibroblasts and tenocytes that rebuild connective tissue. Rather than a single receptor, it appears to work by nudging several repair-related pathways at once.

Mechanistically, animal and cell-culture work implicates upregulation of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) signaling and activation of the Akt-eNOS axis, which together drive angiogenesis and increase local nitric oxide availability. BPC-157 also modulates the nitric oxide system more broadly, interacts with growth-factor signaling (including reported effects on the FAK-paxillin pathway that governs cell migration), and has been described as influencing dopaminergic, serotonergic, and prostaglandin systems in ways that may explain its gastroprotective and analgesic observations. In gut models it protects the mucosa and helps maintain vascular integrity after injury.

The evidence base is almost entirely preclinical: rats and mice, plus in-vitro endothelial and fibroblast assays. Reported outcomes include faster tendon, ligament, muscle, and gut-lining healing with improved collagen organization and biomechanical strength. There are essentially no rigorous published human clinical trials, so the cited preclinical findings should not be treated as demonstrated benefits in people.

Effects reported in research

  • Accelerated healing of transected Achilles tendon in rat models, with improved collagen organization and greater biomechanical (tensile) strength (animal only).
  • Increased angiogenesis at injury sites via upregulation of VEGFR2 signaling and the Akt-eNOS pathway (animal and in-vitro).
  • Enhanced fibroblast and tenocyte migration and proliferation, partly through FAK-paxillin signaling, promoting connective-tissue repair (in-vitro).
  • Gastric and intestinal mucosal cytoprotection, reducing ulceration and preserving vascular integrity after chemical or ischemic injury (animal).
  • Improved recovery in muscle-crush and ligament-injury models, with faster functional recovery (animal only).
  • Modulation of the nitric oxide system, counteracting damage from NO-blockade in vascular injury models (animal).
  • Analgesic effects in nerve-injury and pain models, associated with nerve-repair signaling (animal only).
  • No published rigorous human clinical trial data confirms these effects; the entire efficacy picture is preclinical.

Effects listed reflect findings reported in the research literature — many in animal or in-vitro models. Listing an effect is not a claim of efficacy or a therapeutic indication in humans.

Mechanism of action

In animal and in-vitro studies, BPC-157 has been associated with promotion of angiogenesis and modulation of growth-factor signaling pathways, including effects reported on the VEGFR2 pathway and nitric oxide systems. Researchers have also described interactions with the FAK-paxillin pathway and effects on fibroblast and tendon-cell migration. These mechanisms are characterized primarily in rodent models and cell culture and have not been established in controlled human trials.

Mechanistic description reflects published research-literature understanding. Much peptide research is preclinical (in-vitro or animal-model); mechanism in humans may differ and is not established for many compounds.

What it's studied for

Research contexts in which BPC-157 appears in the literature. Listing a research area is not a claim of efficacy or a therapeutic indication.

Tendon, ligament and muscle healing (animal models)Gastrointestinal mucosal protection and ulcer healing (rodent studies)Angiogenesis and wound healing (preclinical)Nerve and bone injury repair (animal models)Modulation of NSAID-related gastrointestinal injury (rodent studies)

Key characteristics

  • A 15-amino-acid synthetic peptide derived from a fragment of a gastric protein sequence
  • Most published evidence comes from rodent and in-vitro studies rather than human clinical trials
  • Frequently studied in models of connective-tissue and gastrointestinal injury
  • Reported to be relatively stable in gastric juice in preclinical work
  • Not an approved drug in any major jurisdiction

Reported research dosing reference only

Educational reference, not dosing guidance. The figures below summarize amounts reported in published research and research-community protocols, provided for educational and research context only. They are not medical advice, not a recommendation, and not instructions for human use. BPC-157 is a research compound.

The cited pharmacokinetic study investigated intravenous and intramuscular BPC-157 in rats and beagle dogs. Its animal exposures cannot establish a human regimen, and community protocol figures are not used as evidence for one.

ReconstitutionLyophilized; reconstituted with bacteriostatic water added down the vial wall, swirled not shaken; store reconstituted at 2-8 C protected from light

PMID 36588717 reports an elimination half-life below 30 minutes in rats and dogs. That study does not establish a human dosing interval or demonstrate that downstream effects justify a particular schedule.

How it compares

BPC-157 is a 15-amino-acid synthetic peptide investigated in animal and cell models. TB-500 is associated with a different, acetylated fragment of thymosin beta-4; a difference in proposed mechanisms does not establish that combining them improves outcomes.

Commonly studied alongside

Compounds frequently researched together with BPC-157 in the literature. Cross-referenced for research context — not a usage or combination recommendation.

TB-500Compare the distinct molecules and their evidence limits. The linked sources do not establish a benefit or safety advantage from combining BPC-157 with TB-500.GHK-CuBoth names occur in supplier blends such as GLOW/KLOW. A blend listing does not establish that the combination has been tested or produces additive effects.KPVBoth names occur in the KLOW supplier blend. This is product context, not evidence that using them together improves outcomes.

Compare and calculate

Side-by-side pages for the pairings the literature already documents for BPC-157, plus the unit-conversion reference for a reconstituted vial. Factual comparisons of documented characteristics — not a recommendation to combine or use any compound.

BPC-157 vs Ara-290Healing & RecoveryBPC-157 vs BPC-157 + TB-500 BlendHealing & RecoveryBPC-157 vs GHK-CuCosmetic & DermalBPC-157 vs GLOW Blend (BPC-157 + TB-500 + GHK-Cu)Cosmetic & DermalBPC-157 vs KLOW BlendHealing & RecoveryBPC-157 vs KPVHealing & RecoveryBPC-157 vs LL-37Healing & RecoveryBPC-157 vs TB-500Healing & Recovery

BPC-157 reconstitution calculator → Concentration, volume per measured amount and syringe units for a stated vial mass and diluent volume. A unit-conversion reference, not a dosing recommendation.

Handling & Stability

Lyophilized peptides are stored cold, protected from light, and reconstituted only at the time of intended in-vitro work.

  • Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
  • Verify supplier lot and Certificate of Analysis
  • Follow institutional lab-safety protocols

Analytical & COA Concepts

Reputable research suppliers publish a third-party Certificate of Analysis per batch. Key analytical concepts referenced in COAs include:

Category Context

BPC-157 sits in the Healing & Recovery area of the PeptiDex library.

Research reference

No supplier listing is attached to this profile. The cited study describes its own formulation and population.

Read the evidence guide →

Frequently asked questions

What is BPC-157 and what class of peptide is it?

BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a synthetic pentadecapeptide of 15 amino acids derived from a partial sequence of a protein found in human gastric juice. It is studied in the research literature as a cytoprotective and tissue-repair agent, not as an approved drug. It has no established endogenous receptor and its mechanisms are still under active investigation.

What is BPC-157 studied for in the research literature?

In animal models, BPC-157 has been researched in the context of tendon, ligament, muscle, and bone healing, gastrointestinal mucosal protection, and angiogenesis. Much of the work implicates nitric oxide pathways and upregulation of growth-factor and angiogenic signaling. To date these findings are almost entirely preclinical, and no human clinical efficacy has been established.

What does the reported BPC-157 half-life tell us?

The cited pharmacokinetic study (PMID 36588717) measured an elimination half-life below 30 minutes in rats and beagle dogs after intravenous or intramuscular administration. It did not establish human half-life, subcutaneous pharmacokinetics or a human dosing interval. Plasma clearance alone does not establish how long a biological effect lasts.

How is BPC-157 typically reconstituted and stored in research settings?

BPC-157 is supplied as a lyophilized powder and is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, added slowly down the vial wall and swirled rather than shaken to avoid degrading the peptide. Reconstituted solution is generally stored refrigerated at 2-8 C and protected from light. Lyophilized powder is more stable and is often kept frozen for longer-term storage.

Is BPC-157 an approved drug?

No. BPC-157 is not approved by the FDA or comparable regulators and is sold strictly as a research chemical. It is also prohibited in sport under WADA's S0 category for non-approved substances. The preclinical sources linked here do not establish human treatment benefits.

How does BPC-157 differ from TB-500?

BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide investigated in animal and cell models. The TB-500 formulation identified in the cited analytical study contained Ac-LKKTETQ, a seven-residue fragment of thymosin beta-4. These are different molecules. The sources linked here do not establish that their combination is more effective or safer than either compound alone.

Answers are educational summaries of research-literature context and do not constitute medical advice. See the Research Library, COA guide, and Storage & Handling guide for more.

References

Publications indexed in PubMed and linked to this profile, including original studies and reviews. Publication labels reflect PubMed indexing, not evidence strength. Listing a study records that it exists and is indexed — it is not a claim of efficacy, a therapeutic indication, or an endorsement of its conclusions. Much of this literature is preclinical (in-vitro or animal-model).

  1. Therapeutic potential of pro-angiogenic BPC157 is associated with VEGFR2 activation and up-regulation J Mol Med (Berl), 2017. PubMed 27847966

    Other publication · Citation and indexing details

  2. Pharmacokinetics, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of body-protective compound 157, a potential drug for treating various wounds, in rats and dogs Front Pharmacol, 2022. PubMed 36588717

    Other publication · Citation and indexing details

  3. Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and Wound Healing Front Pharmacol, 2021. PubMed 34267654

    Review · Citation and indexing details

  4. Regeneration or Risk? A Narrative Review of BPC-157 for Musculoskeletal Healing Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med, 2025. PubMed 40789979

    Review · Citation and indexing details

Bibliographic metadata refreshed from PubMed on 2026-09-20. This checks the record identity and metadata; it is not a new review of every scientific claim. A reference may concern a related molecule or formulation: read its methods and the context above. See the editorial policy.

TB-500Healing & RecoveryAra-290Healing & RecoveryGlutathioneHealing & RecoveryKPVHealing & Recovery

Further reading