FAQ · Research peptides
What is BPC-157?
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound 157) is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide derived from a protein originally identified in human gastric juice. The Sikiric research group at the University of Zagreb has published most of the preclinical literature on it since 2003, primarily on tendon healing, gut barrier integrity, and tissue repair in rodent models. No human phase II or phase III trials have been published. In the UK, BPC-157 has no marketing authorisation as a medicine and is sold by UK retailers under "research use only, not for human or animal consumption" framing.
The discovery
Predrag Sikiric and colleagues at the University of Zagreb identified BPC (Body Protection Compound) in human gastric juice in the 1990s. BPC-157 is a 15-amino-acid synthetic fragment of the larger native compound. The "157" refers to the specific sequence of amino acids. The Sikiric group has published several hundred preclinical papers on BPC-157 since 2003, most in rodent injury and tissue-repair models.
What the preclinical literature shows (in animals)
- · Tendon healing acceleration in rat models.
- · Gut barrier integrity protection in rodent models of stress and inflammation.
- · Vascular and angiogenesis effects in rodent ischaemia.
- · Bone healing acceleration in rat fracture models.
- · Central nervous system effects in rodent depression and Parkinson-like models.
Most of the literature comes from a single research group. Independent replication outside the Sikiric group is limited. None of the rodent findings has been confirmed in randomised human clinical trials.
UK regulatory status
- · Not a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
- · Not scheduled under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.
- · No UK MHRA marketing authorisation as a medicine.
- · Sold legally as a research chemical when marketed without health claims.
- · Becomes an unlicensed medicinal product the moment a retailer or commentator makes therapeutic claims about it.
- · On the WADA prohibited list (S2 peptide hormones). Tested athletes must avoid.
Related: BPC-157 encyclopedia · UK retailers · BPC-157 vs TB-500 · Research use only framing.