Research Applications
Tendon & Ligament Healing
BPC-157 substantially accelerates healing of transected tendons and ligaments in preclinical models. In rat Achilles tendon transection studies, it improves functional recovery, biomechanical properties, collagen organization, and histological appearance. It promotes healing of the challenging tendon-to-bone interface (enthesis) and enhances medial collateral ligament (MCL) repair. Effects are mediated through FAK-paxillin-driven fibroblast migration, GHR upregulation, and enhanced angiogenesis.
Wound Healing
Accelerates cutaneous wound healing including enhanced re-epithelialization, granulation tissue formation, collagen organization, and increased vascular density. Effective even in compromised healing states: diabetic wounds, corticosteroid-impaired healing, and ischemic conditions. BPC-157 outperforms PDGF-BB in early collagen organization in diabetic wound models.
Bone Healing
Promotes fracture callus formation, mineralization, vascularization, and mechanical strength in femoral fracture models. Effective against femoral head osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis) and alveolar bone loss in periodontal disease. Effects mediated through angiogenesis and osteoblast stimulation.
Muscle Regeneration
Enhances recovery after acute trauma, crush injuries, complete muscle transection, and denervation-induced atrophy. In quadriceps transection models, restores functional continuity that would otherwise result in permanent deficit. Promotes satellite cell proliferation and reduces fibrosis.
Gastrointestinal Protection
Protects gastric mucosa against NSAID-induced damage, alcohol-induced lesions, and stress ulcers. Effective in IBD models (both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's-like inflammation), including Phase II clinical trials for ulcerative colitis (under designation PL 14736). Promotes healing of esophageal, gastric, and intestinal lesions. Counteracts intestinal barrier dysfunction ("leaky gut").
Neuroprotection
Demonstrates protective effects in models of traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and peripheral nerve damage. Modulates dopamine, serotonin, GABAergic, and opioid neurotransmitter systems. Counteracts dopaminergic neurotoxicity and shows potential in Parkinson's disease models.
Cardioprotection
Protective effects in models of acute thrombosis, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, and heart failure. Modulates hemostatic function with bidirectional effects on platelet aggregation — promoting aggregation when hypocoagulable and inhibiting it when hypercoagulable.
Hepatoprotection
Protects liver against damage from hepatic artery ligation, bile duct ligation, and carbon tetrachloride. Reduces ALT, AST, and bilirubin levels. Counteracts alcohol-induced liver damage.
Mechanism of Action
BPC-157 exerts its biological effects through activation of multiple interconnected molecular pathways that function synergistically to promote tissue repair, protect cells from damage, and maintain vascular integrity.
VEGFR2-Akt-eNOS Angiogenic Pathway
The primary healing mechanism involves activation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), triggering phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). This cascade increases nitric oxide (NO) production in blood vessel walls, promoting vasodilation, endothelial cell proliferation, and new capillary formation (angiogenesis). BPC-157 additionally modulates VEGFR2 receptor internalization through Src kinase and caveolin-1 phosphorylation, resulting in sustained NO production. In vitro studies show 129–152% increases in blood vessel formation (CAM assays) and 119–147% increases in tube formation (HUVEC assays).
FAK-Paxillin Pathway
BPC-157 dose-dependently increases phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin, enhancing focal adhesion complex assembly critical for cell migration and tissue integration. In tendon fibroblasts, this manifests as enhanced migration through transwell filters, increased cell spreading, improved stress fiber organization, and cytoprotection against oxidative stress (H₂O₂-induced damage).
JAK-2/STAT and Growth Hormone Receptor Signaling
The peptide activates Janus kinase 2 (JAK-2) in a time-dependent manner and distinctively upregulates growth hormone receptor (GHR) expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Gene expression microarray analysis identifies GHR as one of the most abundantly upregulated genes. This primes cells to respond more vigorously to circulating growth hormone, enhancing anabolic signaling particularly important for tendon, ligament, and bone healing.
ERK1/2 MAPK Signaling
BPC-157 activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, which phosphorylates downstream transcription factors c-Fos, c-Jun, and early growth response gene-1 (EGR-1). EGR-1 upregulation occurs within 15 minutes and directly controls expression of genes encoding growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix proteins. Pharmacological ERK1/2 blockade (MEK inhibitors) completely abolishes BPC-157's pro-migratory and pro-angiogenic effects, confirming this pathway's essential role.
Nitric Oxide System Modulation
Unlike conventional NO modulators, BPC-157 exhibits bidirectional, context-dependent effects — increasing NO when levels are inappropriately low and decreasing it when pathologically elevated. It suppresses inducible NOS (iNOS) expression while maintaining or enhancing endothelial NOS (eNOS), shifting NO production toward homeostatic signaling. Critically, BPC-157 consistently couples NO modulation with counteraction of free radical formation and oxidative stress, preventing peroxynitrite formation.
Biological Pathways
BPC-157 engages multiple interconnected signaling cascades in a tissue-specific and context-dependent manner:
• VEGFR2-Akt-eNOS Axis — Primary angiogenic pathway promoting new blood vessel formation, vasodilation, and enhanced blood flow to injured tissues through nitric oxide-mediated signaling.
• FAK-Paxillin Adhesion Signaling — Focal adhesion complex assembly driving cellular migration, spreading, and integration into healing tissue. Downstream activation of Akt promotes cell survival under stress.
• JAK-2/STAT Pathway — Cytokine receptor signaling cascade controlling cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Enhanced by BPC-157's upregulation of growth hormone receptor expression.
• MAPK/ERK1/2 Cascade — Mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway controlling cell proliferation, gene expression, and differentiation. Activates EGR-1 transcription factor for wound healing gene programs.
• EGR-1/NAB2 Regulatory Loop — Rapid EGR-1 upregulation (peak at ~15 min) drives expression of collagen, PDGF, and other repair factors. Simultaneous NAB2 induction (peak at ~30 min) provides negative feedback preventing excessive proliferation.
• eNOS/iNOS Balance — Bidirectional modulation of nitric oxide synthase isoforms: upregulates constitutive eNOS for vascular homeostasis while suppressing pathological iNOS-derived NO during inflammation.
• Src/Caveolin-1 Signaling — Modulates VEGFR2 receptor internalization and subcellular compartmentalization of eNOS, sustaining nitric oxide production beyond acute signaling.
• Growth Hormone Receptor Upregulation — Dose- and time-dependent increase in GHR mRNA and protein, potentiating growth hormone-mediated anabolic responses in healing tissues.
Dosage Information
Calculation Results
Syringe Fill Level (100u syringe)
Protocols
Wolverine Stack - Injury RecoveryIntermediate🩹Healing & Recovery4-6 weeks for acute injuries, up to 8 weeks for chronic issues
The most popular healing stack combining BPC-157 and TB-500 for comprehensive tissue repair. Ideal for tendon, ligament, and muscle injuries.
Warning: Start with lower doses to assess tolerance. These are research peptides not FDA approved.
BPC-157 Solo - Gut Health ProtocolBeginner🩹Healing & Recovery4-8 weeks
BPC-157 oral protocol specifically for digestive issues, IBS, leaky gut, and intestinal inflammation.
Warning: Oral BPC-157 is less studied than injectable. Start with 250mcg.
Joint & Cartilage RecoveryIntermediate🩹Healing & Recovery8-12 weeks
Protocol combining BPC-157, TB-500, and collagen for joint pain, osteoarthritis, and cartilage repair.
Warning: Consult physician for chronic joint conditions.
Stability & Storage
Gastric Juice Stability (Unique Property)
BPC-157 remains functionally intact for over 24 hours in human gastric juice — a property virtually unique among peptide therapeutics. Unlike EGF, FGF, and VEGF which are rapidly degraded, BPC-157's resistance to proteolytic enzymes is attributed to its polyproline motifs (three consecutive Pro residues) and absence of oxidation-prone residues (no Cys, Met). This enables effective oral administration without protective coatings or encapsulation.
Solid (Lyophilized) Powder
• Short-term: Stable at room temperature for days to weeks in sealed containers. • Long-term: Store at -20°C or -80°C in sealed vials, ideally under inert gas atmosphere. Avoid moisture contamination — allow vials to reach room temperature before opening. • Protect from light and humidity.
Reconstituted Solution
• Use sterile bacteriostatic water (BAC water) for reconstitution. • pH 5–6 buffer provides maximum stability. • Store reconstituted solution at 2–8°C (refrigerator) for up to 2–4 weeks. • For longer storage, aliquot into single-use portions and freeze at -20°C. • Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles — causes aggregation and loss of activity. • Do not vortex vigorously; gently swirl to dissolve.
General Notes
• BPC-157 lacks cysteine and methionine residues, making it inherently more resistant to oxidative degradation than most peptides. • Degradation primarily occurs through hydrolysis at elevated temperatures and extreme pH values.
Side Effects & Precautions
Preclinical Safety Profile
BPC-157 demonstrates an exceptionally favorable safety profile in preclinical studies. No lethal dose (LD1) was achieved even at 20 mg/kg — over 100× typical research doses. Gross necropsy and microscopic histopathological examination revealed no adverse changes in liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, brain, thymus, prostate, or ovaries across multiple species (rat and dog) over 6-week treatment periods. No teratogenic, genotoxic, or anaphylactic effects were observed.
Limited Human Data
In clinical trials for ulcerative colitis, no toxicity or treatment-limiting side effects were reported. A 2025 pilot study evaluating IV BPC-157 at 10–20 mg in healthy volunteers showed no adverse effects on cardiac, hepatic, renal, thyroid, or glucose biomarkers.
Potential Side Effects (Theoretical/Anecdotal)
• Injection site reactions: Mild pain, redness, or swelling at injection site (common with any injectable peptide). • Gastrointestinal: Mild nausea, especially with oral administration on a full stomach. • Headache: Occasionally reported, potentially related to nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation. • Dizziness or lightheadedness: Rare, possibly related to blood pressure modulation.
Precautions
• Angiogenesis concern: BPC-157 promotes blood vessel formation; theoretical risk in individuals with active cancer, though preclinical data actually shows anti-tumor effects with suppression of tumor-associated angiogenesis. • Pregnancy/lactation: No safety data available — avoid use. • Drug interactions: May interact with blood pressure medications and anticoagulants due to NO system modulation. Theoretical potentiation of growth hormone effects. • Quality control: Only use pharmaceutical-grade peptide with verified purity (>98%) and endotoxin testing. Unregulated products may contain contaminants. • Not a substitute for medical treatment of injuries or diseases.
Research Use Only. This information is for educational and research purposes only. Not intended for medical advice or self-medication.
Regulatory Status
BPC-157 is not approved by the FDA or any global regulatory authority for human therapeutic use. It is classified as an unapproved investigational research compound.
United States: Not FDA-approved. Not a legal dietary supplement. FDA has specifically identified BPC-157 as presenting safety concerns due to limited human data. Compounding pharmacies cannot legally compound BPC-157 for human use under Section 503A or 503B regulations.
WADA: Prohibited since 2022 under category S0 (Non-Approved Substances) for all competitive athletes. Detection results in anti-doping violations.
U.S. Department of Defense: Listed on the DoD Prohibited Dietary Supplement Ingredients List (DoDI 6130.06), restricting use by active duty military, reserves, and National Guard.
Australia/New Zealand: Designated as a prescription-only medicine (Schedule 4) despite not being available for legitimate prescription.
Clinical Trials: Phase II trials were conducted for ulcerative colitis (as PL 14736/Bepecin) but discontinued without comprehensive published results. A Phase I safety/pharmacokinetic trial (NCT02637284) has "unknown" status with no published results.
Current availability is limited to "research use only" products sold through chemical suppliers and online vendors, which operate in a regulatory gray area.
Research Studies
Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157: novel therapy in gastrointestinal tract
Sikiric P, Seiwerth S, Rucman R, et al.
Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 enhances the growth hormone receptor expression in tendon fibroblasts
Chang CH, Tsai WC, Lin MS, Hsu YH, Pang JH
Enhancement by PL 14736 of granulation and collagen organization in healing wounds and the potential role of egr-1 expression
Tkalcević VI, Cuzić S, Brajsa K, et al.
Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157-NO-system relation
Sikiric P, Seiwerth S, Rucman R, et al.
Body Protection Compound BPC 157 modulates VEGF-a and VEGFR-2 and promotes angiogenesis
Hsieh MJ, Liu HT, Wang CN, et al.
Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (PL 14736) improves ligament healing in the rat
Cerovecki T, Bojanic I, Brcic L, et al.
BPC 157 as potential treatment for tendon, ligament, bone, and other soft tissue injuries: systematic review
Vasireddi N, Asim A, Kannan A, et al.
BPC 157 as Potential Agent in Accelerating Tendon-to-Bone Healing
Chang CH, Tsai WC, Hsu YH, Pang JH
Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 attenuates chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain
Sikiric P, Rucman R, Turkovic B, et al.
Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157, Robert's stomach cytoprotection/adaptive cytoprotection/organoprotection, and target therapy
Sikiric P, Hahm KB, Blagaic AB, et al.
