BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide derived from a sequence associated with a gastric protein known as body protection compound. Much of the scientific interest surrounding BPC-157 involves laboratory models of tendon, ligament, muscle, gastrointestinal, vascular, and nervous-system injury.
In a rat Achilles tendon-detachment model, investigators reported improvements in functional measurements, collagen organization, biomechanical strength, and tendon-to-bone healing in animals treated with BPC-157. These results were generated in rats and cannot establish that the same outcome would occur in humans.
A separate laboratory study examined rat tendon fibroblasts and tendon explants. BPC-157 increased cell migration, cell spreading, survival under oxidative stress, and activation of the FAK-paxillin signaling pathway. The researchers proposed that these cellular effects might help explain observations made in animal tendon-healing experiments.
As of August 2026, a registered phase 2 study is recruiting participants to examine investigational BPC-157 alongside standardized rehabilitation after acute hamstring injury. No results from that trial have been posted, so it does not currently provide evidence of human safety or effectiveness.
Research limitations
Animal and cell studies can identify mechanisms worth investigating, but they do not determine appropriate human exposure, pharmacokinetics, long-term safety, or clinical effectiveness. BPC-157 should therefore be described as an investigational research peptide rather than as a proven treatment for injury or tissue repair.
References
- Krivic A, Anic T, Seiwerth S, Huljev D, Sikiric P. Achilles detachment in rat and stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC-157: promoted tendon-to-bone healing and opposed corticosteroid aggravation. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 2006;24:982–989. DOI: 10.1002/jor.20096.
- Chang CH, Tsai WC, Hsu YH, Pang JH. The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC-157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration. Journal of Applied Physiology. 2011;110:774–780. DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00945.2010.
- ClinicalTrials.gov. BPC-157 for acute hamstring muscle-strain repair. Identifier: NCT07437547.
