How does it work?
BPC-157 is a chain of 15 amino acids originally isolated from gastric juice. In animal experiments, the substance appears to affect the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and how connective tissue cells grow and move. TB-500 is a synthetic version of an active part of Thymosin Beta-4, a protein that binds to actin – a building material inside cells – and which in laboratory experiments has been linked to cell division, cell migration and organisation of connective tissue. The idea behind the blend is that the two peptides can be studied side by side, but we have no documentation on how the components affect each other in this product blend.
Technical mechanism
Combination of BPC-157 (15-amino-acid gastric peptide) and TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment) in the same vial. Both are being investigated for angiogenesis, cell migration and tissue remodelling in research models.
What is being researched?
- Repair of tendons and the junction between muscle and tendon (BPC-157, animal experiments)
- Healing of wounds and the gastric lining (BPC-157, animal experiments)
- Formation of new blood vessels and cell migration (both components, laboratory and animal experiments)
- Wound healing and organisation of connective tissue in the skin (Thymosin Beta-4, animal experiments)
- Repair of heart tissue after injury (Thymosin Beta-4, animal experiments)
- Healing of the cornea and relief of dry eyes (Thymosin Beta-4, clinical studies in humans)
About the evidence: We do not have published documentation on this product blend. A small retrospective report by Lee and Padgett (PMID 34324435) includes a subgroup that received BPC-157 together with Thymosin Beta-4. The report does not document that this formulation is identical to the product sold here, and Thymosin Beta-4 cannot simply be equated with the TB-500 fragment. The sources below mainly concern the components separately, with the main emphasis on preclinical research in cells and animals. For Thymosin Beta-4 there are some clinical studies in humans (including on eye disease), while BPC-157 has so far mainly been investigated in animal models. None of this is documentation of efficacy or safety in humans for this product, which is intended exclusively for research use.
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.
BPC-157
BPC-157 has mainly been investigated in animal experiments, in which researchers have explored effects on tendons, muscles, the gastric lining and blood vessels. The studies are preclinical, and results from animals cannot be transferred directly to humans.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
TB-500 / Thymosin Beta-4
Thymosin Beta-4, of which TB-500 is a fragment, has been investigated both in animal experiments and in some clinical studies in humans – particularly in wound healing, repair of heart tissue and eye disease.
- Thymosin beta4 accelerates wound healing PreclinicalPubMed· 1999
In this animal study in rats, thymosin beta4 accelerated the healing of skin wounds. The wounds closed faster, contracted more and gained more connective tissue and more new blood vessels. In the laboratory, the substance also made skin cells move faster. This is an animal and laboratory study, and the results cannot be transferred directly to humans.
- Thymosin beta4 enhances repair by organizing connective tissue and preventing the appearance of myofibroblasts PreclinicalPubMed· 2010
In this animal study in rats, wounds treated with thymosin beta4 healed with little scarring and without loss of strength. The wounds became narrower, the connective tissue was better organised and more mature, and there were fewer of the cells that cause scar contraction. Tissue and implants showed thicker, more orderly connective tissue fibres. This is an animal study and says nothing about effects in humans.
- Thymosin beta4 activates integrin-linked kinase and promotes cardiac cell migration, survival and cardiac repair PreclinicalPubMed· 2004
In this animal study, thymosin beta4 made heart and blood vessel cells move and survive better. The substance formed a partnership with the proteins PINCH and ILK and activated a survival signal in the cells. After tying off a coronary artery in mice, the treatment increased early cell survival and improved heart function. This is an animal and laboratory study with no direct transferability to humans.
- Thymosin beta4 is cardioprotective after myocardial infarction PreclinicalPubMed· 2007
In this animal study, thymosin beta4 promoted the movement and survival of heart and blood vessel cells. The substance formed a partnership with the proteins PINCH and ILK and activated a survival signal that was necessary for the effect. After tying off a coronary artery in mice, the treatment increased early cell survival and improved heart function. This is an animal study and cannot be transferred directly to humans.
- Thymosin β4 significantly improves signs and symptoms of severe dry eye in a phase 2 randomized trial Clinical (human)PubMed· 2015
In this small phase 2 study, nine patients with severe dry eyes received either eye drops containing thymosin beta4 (RGN-259) or placebo drops. Those who received the active substance had less discomfort and less damage to the cornea, and a better tear film. The drops were well tolerated. The study was small. This describes what the researchers observed, and is not a treatment recommendation.
- 0.1% RGN-259 (Thymosin ß4) Ophthalmic Solution Promotes Healing and Improves Comfort in Neurotrophic Keratopathy Patients in a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Masked Phase III Clinical Trial Clinical (human)PubMed· 2022
In this phase 3 study, patients with nerve impairment of the cornea received either eye drops containing thymosin beta4 (RGN-259) or placebo drops. More people in the treatment group had their corneal wounds heal completely, and they reported less discomfort, dryness and foreign-body sensation. No serious side effects were seen. This describes what the study observed, not a treatment recommendation.