BPC‑157
Contents
In short
- BPC-157 is a synthetic peptide being researched for the healing of tendons, ligaments and muscles.
- In many animal studies, healing improved. In two small studies in humans, most participants reported improvement.
- A small safety study in humans found no changes in blood tests.
- In animal and cell studies, BPC-157 appears to support the growth of new blood vessels and to calm inflammation, both important for healing.
Fact box
- Type
- Research compound
- Research
- Early human studies
- Sequence
- Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val
- Other names
- Body Protection Compound 157, pentadecapeptide BPC 157
What is BPC-157?
BPC-157 is a synthetic peptide made of 15 amino acids. It is based on a protein found in gastric juice, and it has drawn a lot of interest because animal studies suggest faster healing of injuries.
The name stands for Body Protection Compound 157. It is made in the laboratory and is based on part of a protein from gastric juice.[1][2]
In animal and cell studies, BPC-157 appears to act on several signalling pathways involved in healing, including the growth of new blood vessels and inflammation.[2][1]
The amino acid sequence in the fact box comes from PubChem.[3]
What does the research say about BPC-157?
There are many promising animal studies. In humans, there are three small studies in which most participants reported improvement. The next step is controlled studies in humans.
| Use | Studies | Research |
|---|---|---|
| Tendons, ligaments and muscles | 35 studies · Animal study · Animals | Lab and animal studies |
| Knee pain | 1 study · Observational study · n = 16 | Early human studies |
| Bladder pain (interstitial cystitis) | 1 study · Pilot study · n = 12 | Early human studies |
| Safety in humans | 1 study · Pilot study · n = 2 | Early human studies |
RCT means randomised controlled trial. How to read a study
Tendons, ligaments and muscles
A systematic review from 2025 found 36 studies on BPC-157 and muscle and bone injuries. 35 of them were animal or cell studies, and one was in humans. In the animal studies, the healing of muscles, tendons, ligaments and bone improved.[2]
These findings are promising, and the next step is to confirm them in studies in humans.
Knee pain
In a study of 16 patients who received BPC-157 in the knee, most said their pain had improved.[4]
Bladder pain (interstitial cystitis)
In a small pilot study with 12 women with bladder pain syndrome, most reported improvement after one treatment.[5]
Safety in humans
One study looked at the safety of BPC-157 given into a vein in two people. No changes were found in blood tests over the three days of the study.[6]
Questions and answers about BPC-157
What does the research on BPC-157 show?
Many animal studies show better healing of tendons, ligaments and muscles. In humans, three small studies have been done, and most participants reported improvement. Controlled studies are the next step.
How does BPC-157 work?
In animal and cell studies, it appears to support the growth of new blood vessels and to calm inflammation, two processes that matter for healing.