BPC-157
Also known as Body Protection Compound 157 · PL 14736
Evidence comes from rodents or other animal models, with no published controlled human trials. Most compounds that look promising in animals do not replicate in people — the attrition rate from animal model to approved drug is well over 90%.
What it is
A synthetic peptide corresponding to a partial sequence of a protein found in human gastric juice. It is among the most discussed compounds in this space and among the least supported by human evidence.
How it is thought to work
Proposed mechanisms from animal work include modulation of the nitric oxide system, upregulation of VEGFR2 signalling and effects on growth factor expression. These are hypotheses derived from rodent models rather than established human pharmacology.
What the studies found
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A large body of rodent literature
Dozens of animal studies report accelerated healing across tendon, muscle, bone, gut and nerve injury models, alongside protective effects in induced gastric damage.
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One early human trial in ulcerative colitis
A stable derivative entered early-phase trials for inflammatory bowel disease around 2010. No phase 2 or 3 results were published and development did not continue.
What the evidence does not show
- There are no published controlled trials of BPC-157 in humans for any of the uses it is discussed for. The gap between its reputation and its human evidence is the widest of any compound here.
- A large share of the animal literature originates from a single research group, which limits how much independent replication the body of work represents.
- Animal healing models translate to humans poorly and inconsistently.
- Oral bioavailability claims are frequently repeated and poorly substantiated.
Reported risks and adverse effects
- Rodent studies have not identified significant toxicity, but rodent safety does not establish human safety.
- There is no human safety data of any kind — no characterised adverse event profile, no interaction data, no long-term follow-up.
- Prohibited at all times by WADA since 2022, so it is a doping violation in tested sport.
- Material sold online is of unverified identity and purity; independent testing of such products has repeatedly found mislabelling.
This is a summary of what has been reported in the literature, not a complete safety profile. For anything concerning your own health, speak to a doctor.
Regulatory status
Not approved by any regulator for any indication. The FDA placed it on a list of substances excluded from compounding after reviewing its safety data, citing insufficient information.