BPC 157

BPC 157 is a synthetic peptide composed of 15 amino acids derived from a partial sequence of a protein found in human gastric juice called body protection compound (BPC). It was developed to replicate the naturally occurring compound’s role in maintaining and repairing tissues in the digestive tract and other organs.

Studies in animals and limited human trials suggest that BPC 157 promotes healing of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. It has been shown to accelerate wound repair, improve angiogenesis, and enhance gastrointestinal protection and recovery after injury ^{1, 2}.

BPC‑157 has shown benefits primarily in animal studies for healing and regeneration of tissues. In rodent models of tendon injury, it accelerated tendon outgrowth, increased cell migration and survival under stress, and improved biomechanical strength of repaired tissue ³. Additionally, in models of spinal cord injury it improved motor function, preserved axons and reduced neuronal damage, suggesting benefits in nerve and tissue repair ⁴.

The peptide also appears to enhance angiogenesis and up-regulate growth factor receptors, which supports its healing benefits. For instance, it increased expression of growth hormone receptor in tendon fibroblasts, thereby potentially potentiating growth-hormone-mediated regeneration ⁵. A systematic review of musculoskeletal outcomes noted improvements in structure and function of muscle, tendon, ligament and bone injuries across pre-clinical studies ⁶. Overall, BPC-157 appears to promote healing, tissue regeneration, and protection across multiple organ systems, although its effects are primarily supported by preclinical animal research rather than confirmed human trials.

Currently, there is very limited evidence on the negative side-effects of BPC 157 in humans. A pilot study with two healthy adults found no measurable adverse effects when infused intravenously at up to 20 mg ⁷. Many preclinical toxicity studies in animals reported that the peptide was well tolerated, with no serious toxicity observed in mice, rats, rabbits or dogs ⁸.

Despite the favorable short-term data, some theoretical and anecdotal concerns exist. One concern is that BPC 157 may promote angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels), which in certain contexts could potentially support tumor growth. Because controlled human trials are absent, any side-effect profile remains largely unknown ⁹.

BPC 157 activates the VEGFR2–Akt–eNOS signaling pathway, which increases nitric oxide production and promotes endothelial proliferation and new capillary formation ¹⁰. The peptide enhances cell migration and proliferation and upregulates growth-related factors, which supports wound healing in muscle, tendon and gastrointestinal models. It modulates vasomotor tone through NO-dependent mechanisms and engages additional signaling cascades such as MAPK/ERK and antioxidant pathways, contributing to tissue protection and repair ¹¹. Some studies report interactions with neurotransmitter systems that may underlie part of its systemic, pleiotropic effects ¹².

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved BPC-157 for human use and has flagged BPC-157 as an unapproved/ potentially unsafe substance for compounding (FDA lists it among certain bulk drug substances that “may present significant safety risks” and for which there is insufficient safety data) ¹³. For sports, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has placed BPC-157 in the S0 (non-approved substances) category of the Prohibited List; major anti-doping organizations (e.g., USADA) explicitly list BPC-157 as prohibited for athlete ¹⁴.