BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a synthetic pentadecapeptide derived from a protein found in human gastric juice. First described by Sikiric et al. in 1993, the compound has been studied primarily for its cytoprotective properties in gastrointestinal tissue, with expanding research into musculoskeletal repair, neuroprotection, and vascular modulation.
The peptide's amino acid sequence (Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val) has no known sequence homology with other gut peptides. Unlike many peptides, BPC-157 is stable in human gastric juice — a characteristic that enables oral bioavailability and distinguishes it from most research peptides that require parenteral administration.
As of 2025, a systematic review published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine identified 544 articles on BPC-157 published between 1993 and 2024. Of the 36 that met inclusion criteria for musculoskeletal applications, 35 were preclinical animal studies. Only one was a clinical study (Vasireddi et al., 2025). The gap between preclinical promise and human clinical evidence remains substantial.
A 15-amino acid peptide derived from human gastric juice, studied for tissue repair and cytoprotection. Supplied as a lyophilised powder that is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water before measurement.
| Weeks | Dosage | Syringe units (U-100) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 0.2 mg | 12 units0.12 mL |
| Weeks 3–4 | 0.4 mg | 24 units0.24 mL |
| Weeks 5–8+ | 0.6 mg | 36 units0.36 mL |
| Weeks | Dosage | Syringe units (U-100) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 0.2 mg | 6 units0.06 mL |
| Weeks 3–4 | 0.4 mg | 12 units0.12 mL |
| Weeks 5–8+ | 0.6 mg | 18 units0.18 mL |
FrequencyOnce daily, subcutaneous.
For review — not established human dosing. No published human study establishes a week-by-week subcutaneous schedule for BPC-157; the week ranges, amounts and frequency given here are a commonly circulated protocol, not figures from the cited research. The concentration strip above the chart is calculated from the vial and water volume and is correct.
Unverified — no cited human study establishes a subcutaneous frequency for BPC-157.
The week ranges, amounts and once-daily frequency above are not established by the cited research and are flagged for review: no published human study establishes a subcutaneous amount, schedule or duration for BPC-157, and the three human reports that exist used intra-articular1, intravesical2 and intravenous3 routes, each a single day or two consecutive days rather than a repeating weekly course. The one registered Phase I trial cancelled its results submission and was never published4, and a 2025 systematic review found 35 of the 36 studies meeting its musculoskeletal criteria were animal work rather than human5, so any daily schedule is extrapolated from animal models. Only the concentration is verified: it is calculated from a 5 mg vial with 3 mL of bacteriostatic water (~1.67 mg/mL) or a 10 mg vial with 3 mL (~3.33 mg/mL), and every amount shown fits within a 50-unit (0.5 mL) U-100 syringe.
For educational and laboratory research purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, dosing recommendations, or instructions for human or veterinary use. Syringe units assume a U-100 syringe, on which 1 mL is 100 units and a 50-unit syringe holds 0.5 mL.
BPC-157 appears to influence multiple pathways involved in tissue repair and cytoprotection. The primary mechanisms identified in preclinical research include:
Promotes new blood vessel formation via VEGF upregulation
Enhances GH receptor expression and cell growth pathways
Protects gastric mucosal integrity; stable in gastric juice
Reduces inflammatory cytokines in injury models
Modulates NO pathways involved in vascular function
Supports extracellular matrix formation and fibroblast activity
It is important to note that these mechanisms have been demonstrated primarily in rodent models and cell cultures. The concentrations used in laboratory settings often exceed what might be achieved through typical dosing protocols. Laboratory mechanisms do not guarantee clinical relevance in humans (Vasireddi et al., 2025).
Separated by the kind of evidence each finding comes from. A result in animals is not a result in people, and neither establishes an amount to use.
Three small human reports and one systematic review. All are pilot-scale, none is controlled, and each used a different route.
Retrospective case series, 2021 — n=16
Finding16 patients received intra-articular BPC-157 for chronic knee pain; 87.5% reported significant relief at 6 to 12 months.
LimitationRetrospective, no control group, small sample, self-reported outcome.
Lee et al., 2024 — n=12, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine
Finding12 patients with interstitial cystitis reported 80 to 100% symptom resolution following intravesical injection.
LimitationNo control group, small sample, single centre.
Lee & Burgess, 2025 — n=2
FindingTwo adults tolerated up to 20 mg intravenously over two consecutive days with no adverse events recorded.
LimitationSafety signal only in two people. Establishes nothing about effect.
PharmaCotherapia — NCT02637284, 42 healthy volunteers
FindingA Phase I trial was registered and run. Submission of results was cancelled in 2016.
LimitationNo data was ever published and no explanation was given. There is no completed, published Phase I safety dataset for BPC-157.
Vasireddi et al., 2025 — American Journal of Sports Medicine
FindingIdentified 544 articles published between 1993 and 2024. Of the 36 meeting inclusion criteria for musculoskeletal applications, 35 were preclinical animal studies and one was clinical.
LimitationConfirms the size of the gap between preclinical volume and human evidence.
No published human study establishes a subcutaneous amount, a repeating schedule, or a treatment duration for BPC-157. The three routes actually studied — intravesical, intravenous and intra-articular — do not transfer to one another or to subcutaneous use. Any recurring protocol seen elsewhere is not supported by this literature.
The overwhelming majority of the BPC-157 literature is animal work.
Of the 544 articles published between 1993 and 2024, almost all were conducted in animal models, covering gastrointestinal cytoprotection, tissue repair, musculoskeletal recovery, cardiovascular effects and neuroprotection. The majority originate from a single research group at the University of Zagreb, where the compound was first described in 1993.
Amounts used in animal studies do not convert into human amounts, and are not reproduced here as though they did. Concentration of the evidence in one group means independent replication is limited.
Not separately catalogued.
Mechanistic laboratory findings for BPC-157 are reported within the preclinical literature above rather than as a distinct body of in-vitro work.
Athena Education does not currently hold a separate set of in-vitro citations for this compound, so none is listed rather than assembling one to fill the heading.
Because BPC-157 has minimal human clinical data, contraindication profiles are derived from its known mechanisms (particularly pro-angiogenic and growth-factor-related activity) and extrapolated from preclinical findings. The following represent areas of concern identified in the literature:
| Condition / Factor | Risk Level | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Active cancer or malignancy | HIGH | Pro-angiogenic and growth-factor activity may promote tumor growth |
| Hormone-sensitive cancers (history) | HIGH | Growth hormone receptor upregulation is a theoretical concern |
| Pregnancy / breastfeeding | HIGH | No reproductive toxicology data exists |
| Anaphylaxis history to peptides | HIGH | Immunogenic potential unknown; no allergenicity studies |
| Immunosuppressive therapy | MODERATE | Immune pathway modulation may cause unpredictable interactions |
| Cardiovascular conditions | MODERATE | Vasoactive properties; hemodynamic effects under study |
| Active autoimmune disease | MODERATE | May modulate immune cascades; direction of effect unclear |
| Anticoagulant therapy | MODERATE | Angiogenic activity may interact with bleeding risk |
| Preclinical animal safety | LOW (preclinical) | No adverse effects observed across organ systems in animal models |
| Short-term human tolerance | LOW (limited data) | ~30 total human subjects across 3 small studies; no adverse events reported |
FDA: BPC-157 is classified as a Category 2 bulk drug substance. The FDA has determined it poses significant safety risks due to insufficient human safety data. It cannot be legally compounded by pharmacies for human use under Section 503A of the FD&C Act. It is not approved for any indication.
WADA: Classified under S0: Non-Approved Substances on the Prohibited List since 2022. Prohibited at all times, in and out of competition.
DEA: BPC-157 is not a DEA-scheduled substance. Possession is not illegal (unlike anabolic steroids). However, it cannot be legally prescribed or sold as a drug, food, or dietary supplement.
Market availability: Most BPC-157 sold online carries "research chemical" or "for laboratory research only" labeling. These products are not subject to FDA quality oversight. The Department of Justice has prosecuted compounding pharmacies for distributing BPC-157 (e.g., Tailor Made Compounding LLC, $1.79M forfeiture).
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This profile is for educational and research purposes only. It is not medical advice, and nothing on it is a protocol, a recommendation, or an instruction for use in a person or an animal.
Athena Peptides Education does not prescribe, sell, or recommend any compound. Compounds discussed here are for laboratory research only and are not for human consumption. Always consult a qualified physician before making any decision about your health.