BPC-157: A Research Overview
BPC-157 is a synthetic peptide of 15 amino acids whose sequence is a fragment of a protein found in human gastric juice. In the published literature it is described as a stable gastric pentadecapeptide, and it appears in cell-culture and animal studies of cell migration, cell survival and blood-vessel formation. It is supplied here as a lyophilized research material.
Chemical identity
| Compound | BPC-157 |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Body Protection Compound-157, PL 14736, Bepecin |
| Class | Synthetic pentadecapeptide |
| Sequence | Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val (GEPPPGKPADDAGLV) |
| Molecular formula | C62H98N16O22 |
| Molecular weight | 1419.5 g/mol |
| CAS number | 137525-51-0 |
Background
BPC-157 consists of 15 amino acids (Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val). The name stands for “body protection compound”: the sequence is a partial sequence of a protein described in human gastric juice. In older literature it is also catalogued as PL 14736.
The published work is largely preclinical, using cultured cells and animal models, and most of it originates from a single research group. Independent replication in the peer-reviewed literature remains limited, which is worth weighing when reading any individual finding.
BPC-157 is not an approved drug and has not been evaluated by the FDA. The World Anti-Doping Agency lists it under its S0 category of non-approved substances.
What the published literature reports
- Cultured rat tendon fibroblasts and tendon explants
Reported greater outgrowth and migration of tendon fibroblasts and greater cell survival under hydrogen-peroxide stress. No direct effect on cell proliferation was seen. The authors proposed involvement of the FAK–paxillin signaling pathway.
Chang CH et al., J Appl Physiol, 2011 PubMed - Cell culture and rat muscle and tendon injury models
Compared blood-vessel formation and VEGF expression. No direct effect on angiogenesis was seen in cell culture; in the injury models the authors reported modulated angiogenesis associated with VEGF expression.
J Physiol Pharmacol, 2009;60 Suppl 7:191–196 PubMed - Mice and rats
Examined BPC 157 in animals given neuroleptic drugs, measuring catalepsy and gastric lesions.
Jelovac N et al., Eur J Pharmacol, 1999 PubMed
How to read this literature
The work cited above spans cultured rat tendon fibroblasts and tendon explants, cell culture and rat muscle and tendon injury models, mice and rats. Findings from cell culture or animal models, and review articles that summarise them, do not establish how a compound behaves in other systems. Each citation links to the original record so you can read it directly.
Summaries describe what each cited paper reports in its own model system. They are not claims about the effects of this product.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. See our Research Use Only page.