RESEARCH HUB
BPC-157
CAS 137525-51-0 · C62H98N16O16 · 1419.55 g/mol
What Is BPC-157?
BPC-157 (CAS 137525-51-0, MW 1419.55 g/mol) is a synthetic pentadecapeptide derived from a partial sequence of a protein found in human gastric juice. Composed of 15 amino acids, BPC-157 has been the subject of peer-reviewed laboratory research investigating its interactions with biological systems including angiogenesis, nitric oxide signaling, and growth factor pathways. This profile covers molecular identity, proposed research mechanisms, and published scientific references.
Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 137525-51-0 |
| Molecular Formula | C₆₂H₉₈N₁₆O₂₂ |
| Molecular Weight | 1419.55 g/mol |
| PubChem CID | 9941957 |
| Sequence | Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val |
| Amino Acids | 15 |
| Origin | Derived from human gastric juice protein |
Historical Development and Discovery
BPC-157 was first described in the early 1990s by researchers at the University of Zagreb, Croatia. The parent compound — body protection compound — was isolated from human gastric juice and found to exhibit cytoprotective properties in gastric tissue. Researchers synthesized a stable 15-amino-acid fragment, designating it BPC-157, and began investigating its biological activity in controlled laboratory settings. Over the following decades, a substantial body of preclinical literature accumulated, examining BPC-157’s interactions with the nitric oxide system, growth factor receptors, and vascular structures.
Chemical Architecture and Structural Features
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Peptide Type | Synthetic pentadecapeptide |
| Bond Type | Linear peptide chain (no disulfide bonds) |
| Stability | Greater aqueous stability than parent BPC compound |
| Charge (pH 7) | Net negative |
| Source | Solid-phase peptide synthesis |
Research Mechanisms
- Nitric oxide (NO) pathway modulation: Laboratory studies have examined BPC-157’s interactions with endogenous nitric oxide production, including effects on eNOS activity and NO-mediated signaling cascades.
- Angiogenesis promotion: Research has investigated BPC-157’s influence on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and endothelial cell migration, processes central to new blood vessel formation.
- Growth factor receptor upregulation: Studies report BPC-157’s interaction with EGF receptor signaling pathways involved in regeneration assay systems.
- Tendon and ligament fibroblast activity: Research has examined the peptide’s effects on fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis in tendon-derived cell models.
- GABAergic and dopaminergic modulation: Neuroscience literature has examined BPC-157’s interaction with central neurotransmitter systems in preclinical models.
- Cytokine and inflammatory mediator interaction: Several studies have examined BPC-157’s effects on inflammatory cytokine profiles in tissue injury models.
Research Areas
Gastrointestinal Biology
BPC-157’s most extensively studied domain is gastrointestinal biology. A substantial body of laboratory research has examined the peptide’s interactions with gastric mucosa models, intestinal epithelial cell lines, and animal models of colitis and gastric injury. Published studies have investigated mechanisms including mucosal barrier integrity, epithelial proliferation markers, and prostaglandin biosynthesis pathways.
Musculoskeletal Research
A significant area of BPC-157 preclinical research involves musculoskeletal tissue models. Published studies have examined fibroblast proliferation, tendon-to-bone healing models, and collagen fiber organization in cell culture and animal tissue systems. Researchers have investigated BPC-157’s interactions with growth factor pathways including TGF-β and PDGF in these models.
Vascular Biology
BPC-157 has been investigated in the context of vascular biology due to its proposed interactions with nitric oxide synthase and VEGF pathways. Laboratory research has examined endothelial cell behavior, capillary tube formation assays, and perfusion models in the context of BPC-157 exposure, contributing to the broader research literature on peptide-mediated angiogenesis.
Neuroscience Research
Published preclinical literature has examined BPC-157’s interactions with central nervous system models, including dopaminergic, serotonergic, and GABAergic pathways. Studies have investigated behavior in rodent models following BPC-157 administration, examining endpoints related to neurotransmitter turnover and receptor expression.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CAS number for BPC-157?
The CAS number for BPC-157 is 137525-51-0. Its PubChem CID is 9941957, molecular formula is C₆₂H₉₈N₁₆O₂₂, and molecular weight is 1419.55 g/mol.
What does BPC stand for in BPC-157?
BPC stands for Body Protection Compound. BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid fragment (hence “157”) derived from a larger cytoprotective protein originally isolated from human gastric juice. The number 157 refers to the peptide’s position within the parent sequence and its characterization in the research literature.
How many amino acids does BPC-157 contain?
BPC-157 is a pentadecapeptide — it contains exactly 15 amino acids in a linear sequence: Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val.
Is BPC-157 naturally occurring or synthetic?
BPC-157 is synthetic, manufactured via solid-phase peptide synthesis. It was designed as a stable synthetic analog of a partial sequence found in the naturally occurring body protection compound isolated from human gastric juice. The parent compound is found in humans; BPC-157 itself is a laboratory-manufactured research peptide.
What biological pathways has BPC-157 been studied for in laboratory research?
Peer-reviewed laboratory research has examined BPC-157’s interactions with several biological pathways, including: nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and NO signaling; vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenesis; EGF receptor pathways; TGF-β and PDGF signaling in musculoskeletal models; and GABAergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic neurotransmitter systems in preclinical neuroscience research.
Has BPC-157 been tested in clinical trials?
As of the current research literature, BPC-157 has not advanced to large-scale human clinical trials. The existing scientific literature consists primarily of preclinical studies conducted in cell culture systems and animal models. The compound remains a subject of ongoing research interest and has not been approved by the FDA for any clinical application.
What is the molecular weight of BPC-157?
The molecular weight of BPC-157 is 1419.55 g/mol, reflecting its 15-amino-acid composition with molecular formula C₆₂H₉₈N₁₆O₂₂.
What research institutions have published BPC-157 studies?
A significant portion of the published BPC-157 preclinical literature originates from the University of Zagreb (Croatia), particularly from the laboratory of Predrag Sikirić, who has been the principal investigator on many foundational studies. Additional research has been published by independent groups examining the peptide’s mechanisms in cell culture and animal tissue models across institutions in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Published Research
- Sikirić P, et al. “A new gastric juice peptide, BPC: An overview of the stomach-stress-organoprotection hypothesis and beneficial effects of BPC-157.” Journal of Physiology-Paris. 1993;87(5):313-327. PMID: 7911253.
- Chang CH, et al. “The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration.” Journal of Applied Physiology. 2011;110(3):774-780. PMID: 21148336.
- Sikirić P, et al. “Behavioral effects of systemic application of BPC 157 and gastric mucosal injury protection.” European Journal of Pharmacology. 2001;419(1):71-77. PMID: 11348634.
- Seiwerth S, et al. “BPC 157’s effect on healing.” Journal of Physiology-Paris. 1997;91(3-5):173-178. PMID: 9403790.
- Staresinic M, et al. “Gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 accelerates healing of transected rat Achilles tendon and in cell culture stimulates tendon fibroblasts.” Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 2003;21(6):976-983. PMID: 14554208.
- Stupnisek M, et al. “Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 reduces bleeding and thrombocytopenia after amputation in rats treated with heparin, warfarin, L-NAME and L-arginine.” PLOS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0123454. PMID: 25894423.
Intended Use: BPC-157 supplied by ITide Laboratories is intended for laboratory research purposes by qualified professionals only. Not for human, animal, diagnostic, or therapeutic use. This compound has not been evaluated by the FDA for clinical application, is not manufactured to pharmaceutical standards, and all applicable local, state, and federal regulations governing research compounds apply.
ITide Laboratories supplies BPC-157 and related peptides as reference materials for laboratory research use by qualified professionals.
Browse Research Compounds →Research Use Only Disclaimer
BPC-157 (CAS 137525-51-0) is intended for laboratory research purposes by qualified professionals only. Not for human, animal, diagnostic, or therapeutic use. This compound has not been evaluated by the FDA for clinical application, is not manufactured to pharmaceutical standards, and all applicable local, state, and federal regulations governing research compounds apply.