BPC-157

BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound 157) is a synthetic 15-residue partial sequence of a larger gastric-juice protein originally isolated from human stomach mucosa. Its full sequence is Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val, with the empirical formula C₆₂H₉₈N₁₆O₂₂ and a calculated molecular weight of 1419.55 g/mol.

The peptide was first characterised by Sikiric and colleagues in the 1990s and has been the subject of more than two decades of preclinical investigation into its cytoprotective activity. Notably, BPC-157 is unusually stable in gastric acid and resistant to proteolytic digestion, properties that distinguish it from many other research peptides and that have made it a recurring subject of orally-delivered animal-model studies.

BPC-157 has no approved therapeutic indication in any jurisdiction. The compound is supplied here as a reference standard for in-vitro and preclinical research.

The mechanistic literature on BPC-157 is multi-pathway rather than receptor-specific. Studies suggest the peptide modulates the nitric-oxide (NO) system, with effects on endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activity that influence vasodilation and microcirculatory responses at injury sites. Independent work has reported upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) expression in vascular endothelium and accelerated angiogenesis in tendon, ligament and skin-wound preclinical models.

Additional reports describe interactions with the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems in rodent CNS models, and modulation of the gut-brain axis via vagal pathways. The convergent feature across these studies is consistent: BPC-157 appears to act permissively at sites of tissue insult rather than as a high- affinity ligand for a single receptor.

Predominantly investigated in rodent models of (1) Achilles and patellar tendon transection healing, (2) gastric ulceration from ethanol or NSAID challenge, (3) inflammatory bowel disease models, and (4) skin-wound closure. Its oral bioavailability — unusual for a 15-residue peptide — has made it amenable to protocols where parenteral administration would confound endpoints.

No human clinical trials have been completed at the time of writing. Researchers commonly purchase BPC-157 alongside TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment) given the complementary tissue-repair literature.

Supplied as a research-grade reference standard for laboratory use only. Not a licensed medicinal product in the United Kingdom and not approved by the MHRA for human or veterinary administration. Sale is restricted to researchers, institutions and laboratory professionals; the compound must be retained within research premises. End-user compliance with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (where applicable) and local institutional biosafety policy is the responsibility of the buyer.