What is BPC-157?

BPC-157 (short for “Body Protection Compound-157”) is a synthetic 15–amino acid peptide originally derived from a naturally occurring protein found in human gastric juice. In lab models it has shown:

• Strong protection of the stomach lining and GI tract
• Accelerated healing of muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, and even parts of the nervous system
• Potent anti-inflammatory and “cytoprotective” (cell-protecting) effects across many organs

Given the research, BPC-157 has become popular in the wellness and sports world as a research peptide for injury recovery, gut issues, and “regenerative”/anti-aging goals.

How does BPC-157 work?

Angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth)

• BPC-157 appears to stimulate formation of new micro-vessels in injured tissue, one reason it may accelerate healing in tendons, muscles, skin, and nerves.

Modulation of nitric oxide (NO) and blood flow

• Improving microcirculation and helping blood reach damaged tissue, especially in ischemia/reperfusion models (where blood flow is cut off and then restored).

Anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects

• Across many organ systems (stomach, liver, pancreas, heart, brain), BPC-157 reduces inflammatory damage and helps cells resist toxic insults (alcohol, NSAIDs, chemotherapy, etc.) in animals.

Support of growth factor signaling and extracellular matrix

• Studies in tendon and muscle suggest BPC-157 may upregulate growth factors and collagen remodeling, which is part of why it’s being explored for soft-tissue repair.

Tendon, Ligament, Muscle, and Bone

Key findings in animals:

• Achilles tendon repair (rats): BPC-157 accelerated healing of a transected Achilles tendon and stimulated tendon cell growth in vitro.
• Tendon-to-bone healing: In a model where the Achilles tendon is detached from the heel bone, BPC-157 improved the biomechanical strength of the tendon-bone interface and counteracted some of the negative effects of steroids on healing.
• Muscle & myotendinous junction: Experiments show better repair at the muscle-tendon junction and improved functional recovery compared with controls.

Gut & Internal Organs

In rodent models, BPC-157:

• Protects the stomach lining from severe irritants and promotes rapid healing of gastric lesions
• Helps prevent or reduce damage in the esophagus, small intestine, liver, and pancreas in a variety of experimental injuries

Because BPC-157 was discovered in gastric juice and consistently shows GI protection in animals, many researchers frame it as a “natural” defense peptide for the digestive tract.

What human evidence is there?

A small uncontrolled knee pain study:

A retrospective or pilot series reported improvement in chronic knee pain after a single intra-articular BPC-157 injection in a majority of subjects (roughly 11–14 out of 16, depending on how the results are reported). There was no placebo group, and follow-up was limited.

• Phase I safety/PK trial (healthy volunteers): A registered clinical trial (NCT02637284) and recent report describe BPC-157 IV infusions in healthy adults, primarily to look at pharmacokinetics and tolerability. Short-term administration appears to have been well tolerated in that small sample.

From preclinical data:

• High-dose exposure in several animal species has not identified clear toxic or lethal doses.
• No obvious genotoxic or teratogenic effects have been reported in those studies.

The concerns:

• Angiogenesis and potential tumor growth Because BPC-157 stimulates new blood vessel formation, some experts worry it might also feed microscopic tumors or dysplastic tissue. This risk is theoretical but taken seriously enough that many clinicians caution against BPC-157 in people with a known or suspected cancer history.
• Quality control of products on the market Many BPC-157 products are sold as “research only,” with unclear sourcing, manufacturing standards, and dosing accuracy. Independent reviews note that online peptide vendors are largely unregulated, which raises concerns about sterility, contamination, and mislabeling.

Who Should Be Especially Cautious?

• Individuals with current or past cancer, or strong family history of cancer (because of angiogenesis concerns)
• Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals (no human safety data)
• People with significant cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, or coagulation disorders, where vascular and immune effects may have unpredictable consequences

How does BPC-157 compare?

Do You Need a Prescription for BPC-157?

Yes. BPC-157 and all compounded peptide blends require a prescription to be used safely and legally.

Bowery Clinic is a concierge longevity and peptide virtual clinic designed for people who want a higher standard of care than traditional telemedicine. We focus on advanced peptide therapy, recovery, muscle optimization, metabolic support, and long-term vitality.

At Bowery Clinic, all treatments are dispensed through licensed 503A, FDA-registered compounding pharmacies, ensuring high-quality peptides with verified sterility, potency, and COAs. No unregulated sources. No “research peptides.” No risks from black-market products.

You can learn more by clicking the link here.