What Is BPC-157? Research Guide
Definition
BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide (CAS 137525-51-0, C62H98N16O22, 1419.5 Da) whose sequence corresponds to a partial region of body protection compound, a protein isolated from human gastric juice. It is studied in cytoprotection and tissue-repair models, and is noted in the literature for remaining intact in gastric acid — the property that prompted its original characterization.
Key Takeaways
- →BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide (CAS 137525-51-0, C62H98N16O22, 1419.5 Da) whose sequence corresponds to a partial region of body protection compound, a protein isolated from human gastric juice. It is studied in cytoprotection and tissue-repair models, and is noted in the literature for remaining intact in gastric acid — the property that prompted its original characterization..
- →Available for in-vitro research at ≥99% HPLC-verified purity from Peptide.Express.
- →Certificate of Analysis included with every order. Same-day US shipping.
BPC-157 Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Compound | BPC-157 |
| CAS Number | 137525-51-0 |
| Molecular Formula | C62H98N16O22 |
| Molecular Weight | 1419.5 Da |
| Sequence / Structure | Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val (pentadecapeptide) |
| Mechanism Class | Synthetic gastric pentadecapeptide (BPC) fragment |
| Purity | ≥99% by HPLC, batch-specific CoA included |
Registry records for BPC-157: PubChem
BPC-157 Mechanism of Action
No high-affinity receptor for BPC-157 has been identified, and that absence is the central open question in its pharmacology. Published work describes pathway-level effects instead: upregulation of VEGFR2 with downstream eNOS-dependent nitric oxide signaling in endothelial models, and FAK-paxillin activation in tendon fibroblast culture. Interaction with the nitric oxide system is the thread most often proposed to connect otherwise unrelated injury models. The evidence base is overwhelmingly rodent and cell culture; human pharmacokinetic data are limited, and BPC-157 is not an approved drug in any jurisdiction.
BPC-157 Research Applications
Gastrointestinal barrier models. BPC-157 derives from a gastric protein and the earliest literature used gut-lesion models, which is why intestinal epithelial and mucosal-barrier assays remain the most heavily populated part of its published record.
Tendon and ligament fibroblast culture, where the measured endpoints are cell migration, F-actin organization and FAK-paxillin phosphorylation rather than any macroscopic outcome.
Angiogenesis assays. Endothelial tube-formation work and VEGFR2 expression measurements are where the vascular arm of the proposed mechanism is tested directly.
Paired studies with TB-500, which are common precisely because the two proposed mechanisms do not overlap: growth-factor receptor signaling for BPC-157, actin monomer sequestration for TB-500.
BPC-157 Storage Requirements
Store lyophilized BPC-157 at -20°C (-4°F), where the powder is stable for up to 24 months. Reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, keep at 2-8°C (36-46°F) and use within 30 days. BPC-157 is unusually acid-tolerant, but that is a property of the molecule and not of the vial: it does not license room-temperature storage of reconstituted material, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles still degrade it.
BPC-157 at Peptide.Express
All BPC-157 sold by Peptide.Express is HPLC-verified at ≥99% purity with a Certificate of Analysis included. Same-day US shipping on orders before 2 PM EST. For in-vitro laboratory research use only.
View BPC-157 Product DetailsFrequently Asked Questions
What is BPC-157 and what does it stand for?
BPC stands for body protection compound; 157 is the fragment designation. BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide (CAS 137525-51-0) whose sequence corresponds to a partial region of a protein found in human gastric juice. It is studied in cytoprotection, tissue-repair and gut-barrier models, and is supplied for laboratory research use only.
What is the sequence and molecular weight of BPC-157?
BPC-157 is Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val, with molecular formula C62H98N16O22 and an average molecular weight of 1419.5 Da. Its CAS registry number is 137525-51-0 and its PubChem CID is 9941957. Four of the fifteen residues are proline, which is one structural reason the peptide resists proteolysis.
What is the difference between BPC-157 and TB-500?
They act on different systems. BPC-157 is a 15-residue gastric peptide studied for effects on growth-factor receptor signaling, particularly VEGFR2 and the nitric oxide pathway. TB-500 refers to thymosin beta-4 material, which binds monomeric G-actin through its LKKTET motif and acts on the cytoskeleton. No shared receptor connects them, which is exactly why they are often studied side by side.
Is BPC-157 approved by the FDA?
No. BPC-157 is not approved by the FDA for any indication and is not an authorized medicine in any jurisdiction. The FDA has identified BPC-157 as a bulk drug substance raising significant safety concerns for use in compounding, and it appears on the WADA Prohibited List. Peptide.Express supplies it for in-vitro laboratory research only.
What research has been published on BPC-157?
The published record is large but narrow in kind: it is overwhelmingly rodent injury models and cell culture, concentrated in gastrointestinal, tendon and angiogenesis work. Human pharmacokinetic data are limited and no receptor has been identified. That combination — many papers, one dominant model system — is the honest summary of the evidence base.
Where can I buy BPC-157 for research?
Research-grade BPC-157 is available from Peptide.Express at ≥99% HPLC-verified purity with a Certificate of Analysis included. Visit peptide.express/catalog/bpc-157 for details.
References
- "Regeneration or Risk? A Narrative Review of BPC-157 for Musculoskeletal Healing." Biomolecules, 2025. Read the BPC-157 musculoskeletal healing narrative review on PMC
- Sikiric P, Boban Blagaic A, Strbe S, et al. "The Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Pleiotropic Beneficial Activity and Its Possible Relations with Neurotransmitter Activity." Pharmaceuticals, 2024. Read the Sikirić BPC-157 pleiotropic-activity review on PMC
- Staresinic M, Sebecic B, Patrlj L, et al. "Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Accelerates Healing of Transected Rat Achilles Tendon and In Vitro Stimulates Tendocytes Growth." Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 2003. Read the BPC-157 rat Achilles tendon healing study on PubMed
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How This Page Is Sourced
Molecular identity on this page — name, CAS number, molecular formula and molecular weight — is resolved from a single internal entity record and checked against primary registries (PubChem, CAS Common Chemistry) rather than retyped per page. A field with no verified value is left out instead of estimated. Literature is cited to a DOI, PMID or PMCID permalink so every reference resolves to the specific record it names.