BPC-157: The Complete Guide to Body Protection Compound-157

Overview

BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a synthetic pentadecapeptide derived from a protective protein found in human gastric juice. It is one of the most widely researched peptides in the tissue-repair space, with over 100 published preclinical studies demonstrating effects on tendons, ligaments, muscles, the gastrointestinal tract, and the nervous system. Despite this extensive body of animal research, no completed human randomized controlled trials exist as of 2026.

What Is BPC-157?

BPC-157, short for Body Protection Compound-157, is a synthetic peptide composed of 15 amino acids with the sequence Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val. It is derived from a larger protective protein naturally present in human gastric juice. The peptide was first isolated and characterized in the early 1990s by a research group led by Predrag Sikiric at the University of Zagreb in Croatia, and the majority of published studies on BPC-157 originate from this group. The name "Body Protection Compound" reflects the observed cytoprotective properties of the parent protein in the stomach lining. Researchers synthesized the 15-amino-acid fragment to isolate and study the active portion responsible for these protective effects. BPC-157 is not approved by the FDA or any other major regulatory agency for human therapeutic use. It is not classified as a dietary supplement, a pharmaceutical drug, or a controlled substance in most jurisdictions. Instead, it is primarily sold and purchased as a "research chemical" or "research peptide," a designation that places it in a legal gray area. Vendors typically include disclaimers stating the product is intended for laboratory research only and is not for human consumption. Despite these disclaimers, BPC-157 has gained significant popularity in biohacking, athletic recovery, and alternative health communities, driven largely by anecdotal reports and the volume of preclinical literature supporting its tissue-repair properties.

How BPC-157 Works

The mechanism of action of BPC-157 is multifaceted and not fully elucidated, but preclinical research has identified several key pathways through which it appears to exert its effects. Unlike single-target pharmaceuticals, BPC-157 seems to influence multiple biological systems simultaneously, which may explain the breadth of effects observed across different tissue types in animal models. The peptide has demonstrated activity in promoting blood vessel formation, modulating growth factor signaling, influencing neurotransmitter systems, and activating intracellular signaling cascades involved in cell migration and tissue remodeling. Researchers have proposed that BPC-157 may function as a "pleiotropic" agent, meaning it affects multiple pathways rather than acting on a single receptor or enzyme. This multi-pathway activity is consistent with its origin as a fragment of a naturally occurring gastric protein that serves broad protective functions in the GI tract. The following pathways have been identified in preclinical studies as contributing to the observed effects of BPC-157.

• Growth hormone receptor upregulation: BPC-157 has been shown to increase expression of growth hormone receptors, particularly in tendon fibroblasts, which may enhance the local tissue response to circulating growth hormone and accelerate repair processes
• Angiogenesis via VEGF pathway: The peptide stimulates the formation of new blood vessels by upregulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), improving blood supply to injured tissues and supporting the delivery of nutrients and immune cells to repair sites
• Nitric oxide system modulation: BPC-157 influences nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, which plays a role in vasodilation, blood flow regulation, and inflammatory signaling. This modulation appears to contribute to both its protective and healing effects
• FAK-paxillin signaling activation: The peptide activates focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin signaling pathways, which are critical for cell adhesion, migration, and tissue remodeling during the wound healing process
• Dopaminergic and serotonergic system influence: BPC-157 has demonstrated interactions with dopamine and serotonin receptor systems in the central nervous system, which may underlie its observed effects on behavior, mood, and neuroprotection in animal models

Evidence Levels by Use Case

Understanding the strength of evidence behind each proposed use case is essential for evaluating BPC-157 honestly. All current evidence comes from preclinical studies, meaning experiments conducted in cell cultures (in vitro) or animal models (in vivo), primarily in rats. No completed, peer-reviewed human randomized controlled trials have been published as of 2026. "Strong preclinical" means multiple independent studies in animal models have demonstrated consistent, statistically significant results. "Moderate preclinical" means several studies show promising results but with less consistency, fewer replications, or more limited experimental designs. "Preliminary" means early-stage data from a small number of studies that warrant further investigation but cannot support confident conclusions. It is important to note that strong preclinical evidence does not guarantee human efficacy. Many compounds that perform well in animal models fail to show the same effects in human clinical trials due to differences in metabolism, bioavailability, dosing, and physiology between species.

• Tendon and ligament healing: Strong preclinical evidence from multiple rat studies showing accelerated repair of Achilles tendon, MCL, and other connective tissues
• Gastrointestinal protection: Strong preclinical evidence demonstrating protective effects against NSAID-induced ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease models, and various forms of GI damage
• Muscle healing: Strong preclinical evidence showing accelerated recovery from muscle crush injuries, transection injuries, and systemic corticosteroid-induced muscle damage
• Angiogenesis promotion: Strong preclinical evidence of new blood vessel formation in multiple injury models, mediated through VEGF and related pathways
• Neuroprotection: Moderate preclinical evidence suggesting protective effects against dopaminergic neurotoxins, traumatic brain injury, and peripheral nerve damage in animal models
• Inflammation reduction: Moderate preclinical evidence of anti-inflammatory effects across multiple tissue types, though the specific mechanisms remain under investigation
• Antidepressant and anxiolytic effects: Preliminary preclinical evidence from a limited number of behavioral studies in rodents showing effects on dopamine and serotonin system activity

Administration Routes

BPC-157 is administered through several routes in both research settings and anecdotal use, each with different characteristics regarding bioavailability, target tissue effects, and practical considerations. In preclinical studies, the peptide has been administered intraperitoneally (within the abdominal cavity), subcutaneously, intragastrically (orally), and topically, with effects observed across all routes. One of the distinctive properties of BPC-157 compared to many other peptides is its apparent stability in gastric acid, which means it can survive the harsh environment of the stomach and remain biologically active when taken orally. This gastric stability is consistent with its origin as a fragment of a gastric juice protein and sets it apart from peptides like TB-500, which degrade in the digestive tract. Subcutaneous injection at doses of 200-500 mcg, typically administered near the site of injury, is the most commonly discussed route for musculoskeletal applications. Oral administration at doses of 500-1000 mcg is generally discussed in the context of gastrointestinal healing. Intramuscular injection at 200-500 mcg is a less common route that some users report for deep tissue injuries. For a detailed comparison of oral versus injectable administration, including bioavailability considerations and use-case-specific recommendations from the research literature, readers may refer to the dedicated oral-vs-injectable article.

Research Status: What We Know and What We Don't

The research landscape for BPC-157 presents a paradox: it is one of the most extensively studied peptides in preclinical research, yet it remains almost entirely unvalidated in human clinical settings. Over 100 published studies, spanning roughly three decades, have examined the effects of BPC-157 across a wide range of injury models, organ systems, and pathological conditions in animals. The consistency of positive results across these studies is notable and has generated genuine scientific interest. However, several important caveats must be acknowledged. The overwhelming majority of published BPC-157 research originates from a single research group at the University of Zagreb, led by Predrag Sikiric. While the studies are published in peer-reviewed journals, the concentration of research within one laboratory raises questions about independent replication. Some independent groups have begun to investigate BPC-157, but the volume of confirmatory research from outside Zagreb remains limited. As of 2026, no completed human randomized controlled trial results have been published for BPC-157. The peptide has not formally entered FDA-registered clinical trials listed on clinicaltrials.gov for any indication. This means that while the preclinical data is voluminous and largely consistent, the critical step of demonstrating safety and efficacy in human subjects under controlled conditions has not been taken. The gap between preclinical promise and clinical validation is a common challenge in drug development, and many compounds with strong animal data ultimately fail in human trials. Researchers, clinicians, and consumers should interpret the BPC-157 literature with this gap clearly in mind.

BPC-157 and the FDA

BPC-157 occupies a complicated regulatory position in the United States. It is not approved by the FDA for any medical indication, either as a prescription drug, an over-the-counter medication, or a dietary supplement. The FDA has not granted it investigational new drug (IND) status, and it is not currently listed in any registered clinical trials on clinicaltrials.gov. The peptide is most commonly sold under the label of "research chemical" or "for research purposes only," a designation that technically restricts its sale to laboratory use rather than human consumption. In practice, however, BPC-157 is widely purchased by individuals who intend to use it for personal health purposes. The FDA has taken enforcement action against some vendors who have marketed BPC-157 with explicit or implied health claims. Warning letters have been issued to companies that sold BPC-157 as a dietary supplement or made therapeutic claims about its ability to treat injuries, heal the gut, or address other medical conditions. These enforcement actions reflect the FDA's position that BPC-157 cannot be legally marketed as a supplement because it does not meet the definition of a dietary ingredient under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). It is worth noting that the FDA's regulatory stance does not constitute a judgment on the peptide's safety or efficacy. The absence of approval means that BPC-157 has not been evaluated through the FDA's drug approval process, not that it has been found to be unsafe or ineffective. However, the lack of regulatory oversight also means that products sold as BPC-157 are not subject to the purity, potency, or manufacturing standards that apply to approved pharmaceuticals.

The Bottom Line

BPC-157 represents a genuinely interesting area of peptide research with one of the strongest preclinical track records in the tissue-repair space. The volume and consistency of animal data showing accelerated healing across tendons, ligaments, muscles, and the gastrointestinal tract is noteworthy and has attracted legitimate scientific attention. The multi-pathway mechanism of action, including angiogenesis promotion, growth hormone receptor upregulation, and nitric oxide modulation, provides a plausible biological basis for the observed effects. However, the gap between preclinical evidence and clinical validation cannot be overstated. Over 100 animal studies do not substitute for even a single well-designed human randomized controlled trial. The concentration of research within one laboratory, the absence of any completed human trials, and the lack of FDA approval or registered clinical trials all mean that claims about BPC-157's benefits in humans are extrapolations from animal data rather than established medical facts. Individuals considering BPC-157 should weigh the preclinical evidence against the absence of human clinical data, the unregulated nature of commercially available products, and the potential for unknown risks that only human trials can identify. Consulting a healthcare provider who is familiar with the peptide research literature is strongly recommended before making any decisions about personal use. The scientific community continues to watch this compound with interest, and future human clinical trials, if they occur, may clarify its therapeutic potential.

Explore Next

References

1. Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 enhances the growth hormone receptor expression in tendon fibroblasts (2010) — PubMed
2. Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157: novel therapy in gastrointestinal tract (2011) — PubMed
3. BPC 157 and its effects on the musculoskeletal system — a systematic review (2020) — PubMed
4. Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and its effects in the central nervous system (2020) — PubMed
5. Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 — from cytoprotection to supplementary angiogenesis (2020) — PubMed
6. BPC 157 and its relationship with the gastrointestinal tract — a review (2021) — PubMed