BPC-157
Also known as: Body Protection Compound 157 · PL-10 · PLD-116 · Bepecin
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound 157) is a synthetic pentadecapeptide derived from a protein found in human gastric juice. In preclinical research it is studied for pleiotropic tissue-healing effects across tendons, ligaments, muscle, and the gastrointestinal lining. It is a research compound and is not approved by the FDA for human use.
What is BPC-157?
BPC-157 is a stable synthetic peptide made up of 15 amino acids (a pentadecapeptide). Its sequence is derived from a fragment of a body-protection compound originally identified in human gastric juice, which is where the name comes from. Because it is a partial sequence rather than a naturally occurring whole protein, it does not map to a single UniProt entry.
In laboratory and animal studies, BPC-157 is one of the most widely investigated research peptides for tissue repair. Researchers are most interested in its reported stability and its broad, or pleiotropic, activity across several tissue types. It is sold and discussed strictly for laboratory and research use only.
Key Benefits & Mechanisms
- Soft-tissue repairStudied in preclinical models for accelerating healing of tendons, ligaments, and skeletal muscle.
- Gastrointestinal researchInvestigated in models of gut injury and inflammatory bowel conditions, consistent with its gastric-juice origin.
- AngiogenesisResearch suggests it may influence the formation of new blood vessels, a key step in tissue regeneration.
- Favorable preclinical safety signalReviews note relatively few reported adverse effects in preclinical settings, though human safety is not established.
Mechanism of action
BPC-157 exerts its effects through pleiotropic mechanisms that promote tissue healing and regeneration, potentially involving modulation of growth factors and enhancement of angiogenesis. It has demonstrated the ability to accelerate healing in various soft tissues, including tendons, ligaments, and skeletal muscles, suggesting it influences cellular processes related to tissue repair. The precise molecular pathways underlying these effects require further elucidation.
Research Summary
A 2025 literature and patent review characterized BPC-157 as a pentadecapeptide isolated from human gastric juice that has shown pleiotropic beneficial effects across preclinical models of tissue injury, inflammatory bowel disease, and central-nervous-system disorders. The review noted a desirable safety profile in those settings, with only a few reported side effects.
Importantly, the same review emphasizes that BPC-157 has not been approved for use in standard medicine by the FDA or other regulatory authorities, citing the absence of sufficient human clinical trial data. The current evidence base is overwhelmingly preclinical (cell and animal studies). It was temporarily added to the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list in 2022 and is not currently listed.
Common Stacks
Frequently asked questions about BPC-157
Is BPC-157 FDA approved?
No. BPC-157 has not been approved by the FDA or other regulatory authorities for human use. It is sold and discussed for laboratory and research purposes only, and the available evidence is overwhelmingly preclinical.
What is BPC-157 studied for?
In preclinical research it is studied for tissue repair — particularly tendons, ligaments, muscle, and the gastrointestinal lining — and for its possible role in angiogenesis (new blood-vessel formation).
Is BPC-157 a banned substance?
The World Anti-Doping Agency temporarily added BPC-157 to its prohibited list in 2022. It is not currently listed as banned, but athletes subject to anti-doping rules should always check the current WADA list.
Where does the name 'Body Protection Compound' come from?
BPC-157 is a synthetic fragment derived from a protective compound originally identified in human gastric juice, which is the source of both its activity profile and its name.
Does BPC-157 map to a UniProt protein entry?
No. Because BPC-157 is a short synthetic peptide fragment rather than a naturally occurring full-length protein, it does not have a single corresponding UniProt accession. Its chemistry is best referenced via its PubChem record (CID 9941957).
Legal & research status: Research use only — not approved by the FDA for human use. Temporarily banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 2022; not currently listed as banned. Sold and discussed for laboratory and research use only, not for human consumption.