Compound profile
BPC-157
Also known as Body Protection Compound 157
Last reviewed October 2026
Educational only. A summary of published research, not medical advice or a recommendation. No doses are listed.
Quick take
A synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide based on a sequence from a protein found in human gastric juice.
- Class
- Tissue-repair peptides
- Status
- Not approved
- Evidence
- Mostly animal & lab studies
- Half-life
- Not well documented
Mechanism fingerprint
What it acts on, and how. Each chip links to that pathway on the map.
- No established target in people
- Angiogenesis (studied)
Studied in animals for effects on blood-vessel growth, tendon and ligament healing, and repair of the gut lining. How it works in people is not established.
What makes it different
Studied almost entirely in animals; how it works in people isn't established.
Compare side by side
Mechanism & pathways
- NoteNo established target in people
-
Studied link
Blood-vessel growth
animal studies
The formation of new blood vessels, part of normal healing.
Evidence overview
Mostly animal & lab studies
Most research is in rats and cell cultures, much of it from a single research group. Published human data are very limited.
A breakdown into human, animal and cell studies hasn't been added for this compound yet.
Why it's used
Used in the hope of faster healing of tendons, ligaments, muscles and the gut, based mainly on animal studies.
Side effects & risks
Reported side effects
- Not well characterized in humans
Risks and warnings
- Long-term safety unknown
- Theoretical concern about promoting blood-vessel growth, which matters for people with cancer
- Prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
- Products sold as “research use only” are not quality-controlled medicines; purity, sterility and labeled amount are not verified.
FAQ
Short answers taken from this profile.
What is BPC-157?
A synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide based on a sequence from a protein found in human gastric juice.
How does BPC-157 work?
Studied in animals for effects on blood-vessel growth, tendon and ligament healing, and repair of the gut lining. How it works in people is not established.
What receptors or pathways does BPC-157 act on?
blood-vessel growth (studied link; animal studies). Links marked “studied” or “proposed” come from early research and aren't confirmed in people.
How is BPC-157 different from similar compounds?
Studied almost entirely in animals; how it works in people isn't established.
Is BPC-157 approved?
Not approved for human use. The FDA lists it among bulk substances that may pose significant safety risks in compounding.
What has BPC-157 been studied for?
Used in the hope of faster healing of tendons, ligaments, muscles and the gut, based mainly on animal studies.
How strong is the evidence?
Mostly animal & lab studies. Most research is in rats and cell cultures, much of it from a single research group. Published human data are very limited.
What are the main risks?
Long-term safety unknown. Theoretical concern about promoting blood-vessel growth, which matters for people with cancer. Prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). More are listed under risks and warnings.
Sources
- Staresinic M et al. Effective therapy of transected quadriceps muscle in rat: gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157. J Orthop Res 2006.
- FDA. Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks (2023).