How does it work?
In animal studies, BPC-157 appears to affect the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), including by increasing expression of the growth factor VEGF. The peptide has also been linked to signalling pathways that control cell division, cell migration and cell adhesion (for example FAK/paxillin), and to the nitric oxide system, which is important for blood vessel function. In rodent experiments this is associated with faster organisation of connective tissue and better blood flow in damaged tissue. How – or whether – this happens in humans has not been established.
Technical mechanism
15-amino-acid gastric peptide. Preclinical models have observed angiogenesis, increased collagen synthesis, activation of NO signalling pathways and reduced inflammation through NF-kB inhibition.
What is being researched?
- Repair of tendons and ligaments in rodent models (including the Achilles tendon)
- Muscle healing after crush injury in rats
- Protection and healing of the gastric lining and gut in animal experiments (stomach ulcers, intestinal anastomoses, fistulas)
- Formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) during tissue healing
- Nerve tissue and spinal cord injury in rat models
About the evidence: Almost all research on BPC-157 is preclinical – that is, carried out in rodents or in cell cultures in the laboratory. There are very few data from humans: only a few clinical studies have been registered, and results from large, controlled trials are so far lacking. Findings from animals cannot be transferred directly to humans. BPC-157 is not an approved medicine, and the content here is intended for research purposes only and as a summary of the published literature – not as health advice.
Research profile
Studies and sources
The links go to independent research databases (PubMed, PubMed Central, ClinicalTrials.gov). The studies are in English and open in a new tab.
Tendons, ligaments and muscles
The largest group of animal studies concerns repair of tendons, ligaments and muscles. In rats and cell cultures, researchers have explored tendon healing, muscle injury and how cells in tendon tissue behave.
- Achilles detachment in rat and stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157: Promoted tendon-to-bone healing and opposed corticosteroid aggravation PreclinicalPubMed· 2006
In this animal study in rats, an Achilles tendon was detached from the heel bone, an injury that otherwise does not heal on its own. The substance BPC 157 improved healing between tendon and bone: the tendon became stronger and more mobile, and the connective tissue was better organised. An anti-inflammatory steroid worsened healing, while BPC 157 counteracted this worsening. The researchers reported no toxicity. This is an animal study, and the results cannot simply be transferred to humans.
- The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration PreclinicalPubMed· 2011
In this laboratory experiment, the researchers studied how BPC 157 affects tendon cells from rats. The substance made cells grow out of tendon tissue faster, survive better under stress and move more. Cell division itself was not directly affected. The effect appeared to work through a specific signalling pathway in the cells. This is a laboratory and animal experiment, and says nothing about effects in humans.
- Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Enhances the Growth Hormone Receptor Expression in Tendon Fibroblasts PreclinicalPubMed· 2014
In this laboratory experiment with tendon cells from rats, BPC 157 increased the amount of a receptor for growth hormone in the cells. When growth hormone was added, the treated cells divided more. The researchers believe this may help tendon tissue heal. This is a laboratory experiment on cells, and the results cannot be transferred directly to humans.
- Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 as a Therapy for the Disable Myotendinous Junctions in Rats PreclinicalPubMed· 2021
In this animal study in rats, the junction between muscle and tendon was injured, an injury that otherwise does not heal on its own. Rats that received BPC 157, either into the abdomen or via drinking water, had better healing, stronger tissue and better function, and the injury eventually disappeared completely. The substance also counteracted muscle wasting. This is an animal study and says nothing about effects in humans.
- Gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 as an effective therapy for muscle crush injury in the rat PreclinicalPubMed· 2008
In this animal study, rats were given a crush injury to a large calf muscle. BPC 157, given either into the abdomen or as a cream on the skin, produced faster muscle healing: less bleeding and swelling, better function and more normal values in muscle tests. The effect occurred regardless of when the substance was given. This is an animal study, and the results cannot be transferred directly to humans.
Blood vessels, angiogenesis and nerve tissue
Several experiments have explored how BPC-157 affects the formation of new blood vessels during healing, and some have looked at nerve tissue and spinal cord injury in rat models.
- Modulatory effect of gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on angiogenesis in muscle and tendon healing PreclinicalPubMed· 2009
In this experiment, with both cells and injured muscle and tendon tissue in animals, the researchers investigated how BPC 157 affects the formation of new blood vessels. The substance had no direct effect on cells in a dish, but in living tissue it improved vessel formation by increasing a signalling substance called VEGF, which was accompanied by better healing. This is a laboratory and animal experiment with no transferability to humans.
- Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 can improve the healing course of spinal cord injury and lead to functional recovery in rats PreclinicalPubMed· 2019
In this animal study, rats were given a spinal cord injury. Those that received BPC 157 as a single injection after the injury showed steady improvement: better movement in the tail, fewer spasms and less damage to nerve cells as seen under the microscope. The improvement persisted throughout a long follow-up. This is an animal study, and the results cannot simply be transferred to humans.
Gastrointestinal tract and mucosa
BPC-157 was originally studied as a substance that protects the gastric lining. Animal studies and review articles have investigated stomach ulcers, intestinal anastomoses and fistulas.
- Protective effects of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on gastric ulcer in rats PreclinicalPubMed· 2004
In this animal study in rats with stomach ulcers, BPC 157 reduced the ulcer area and accelerated healing. Injection into muscle worked better than giving the substance into the stomach, and in some comparisons the effect was better than the medicine famotidine. With long-term use it helped the mucosa rebuild itself. This is an animal study and says nothing about effects in humans.
- Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and Intestinal Anastomoses Therapy in Rats-A Review ReviewPubMed· 2024
This review summarises animal experiments in which BPC 157 was used for surgical joins in the gastrointestinal tract and for fistulas. The authors describe that various joins and fistulas healed in rats that received the substance, even when healing was impaired by other factors. This is a summary of animal experiments, not studies in humans.
- Fistulas Healing. Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Therapy ReviewPubMed· 2020
This review concerns the healing of fistulas, that is, abnormal connections between tissues, in rats treated with BPC 157. The authors describe that the substance, which occurs naturally in gastric juice, consistently helped various fistulas and surgical joins in the gastrointestinal tract heal in animal experiments. This is a summary of animal studies and says nothing about effects in humans.
Human studies and overall review
Human documentation is very limited. A few clinical studies are registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, and a larger review article summarises more than 25 years of preclinical research.
- PCO-02 - Safety and Pharmacokinetics Trial (Phase I study of PCO-02, active ingredient BPC-157, in healthy volunteers) Clinical (human)ClinicalTrials.gov· 2015
This is a phase 1 study in healthy volunteers that was intended to investigate safety and how BPC-157 is absorbed and broken down in the body. The study's status is listed as unknown, and no results have been reported. We therefore cannot say anything about what it found.
- Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157, Robert's Stomach Cytoprotection/Adaptive Cytoprotection/Organoprotection, and Selye's Stress Coping Response: Progress, Achievements, and the Future ReviewPubMed· 2020
This review summarises research on BPC 157, a substance that occurs naturally in gastric juice. The authors describe that in experiments it protects the gastric lining and other organs against harmful substances such as alcohol and anti-inflammatory medicines, affects blood vessels and blood flow, and counteracts muscle wasting. This is a summary of mainly animal and laboratory research, not studies in humans.