BPC-157

A partial sequence of a protein in stomach juice, first described in 1993 by Predrag Sikiric's group in Croatia, which has produced most of its research. It is unusually stable in gastric juice.

FDA calls the mechanism poorly understood. Rodent and cell studies propose nitric-oxide (eNOS) modulation, pro-angiogenic VEGFR2 signaling, antioxidant enzyme induction, and increased growth hormone receptor expression in rat tendon cells. None is confirmed in humans.

A large rat literature reports benefits in models of gut injury, colitis, fistulas, tendon and ligament injury, liver injury and muscle damage. Human data are a handful of small, uncontrolled reports: knee pain, interstitial cystitis, a two-person IV safety check, and enema studies published only as abstracts. A 2025 orthopedic review found 35 preclinical studies and one clinical study. Human pharmacokinetics, oral bioavailability, long-term safety and independent replication are all missing.

No reliable human side-effect rates exist; the small reports describe few adverse events. FDA's database holds three adverse-event reports with unclear causality, including skin and gum darkening from a BPC-157/TB-500 blend. FDA flags immunogenicity and impurity concerns, and 28-day animal studies showed clotting-test shifts and liver-enzyme rises. A theoretical cancer concern is raised because of its pro-angiogenic effects.

Not FDA-approved for any use. Removed from FDA's Category 2 safety-risk list in April 2026. In July 2026 FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted 8–6–1 to recommend adding it to the 503A bulks list (for ulcerative colitis); the vote is advisory, FDA had issued no final rule as of October 2026, and it concerns pharmacy compounding for patients, not research-grade material. Prohibited at all times by WADA (S0, named explicitly).