Gastric Pentadecapeptides

What defines a gastric pentadecapeptide

A gastric pentadecapeptide is defined by length and origin, not by a receptor. "Pentadeca" means fifteen, and "gastric" points to the stomach-juice research that produced it. The founding paper, published in 1993 by a group at the University of Zagreb, described "a new gastric juice peptide, BPC" [R4]. BPC-157 is the synthetic 15-residue peptide taken from that work. It is also listed under the names bepecin, PL-14736, PL-10 and PLD-116 [R1].

No single receptor has been identified for BPC-157. Studies have looked at nitric oxide signaling, VEGF-related pathways, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK)–paxillin signaling in cell and rodent models [R5][R6]. The developers report that the peptide is stable in human gastric juice, which is unusual for a short peptide [R7].

Compounds in this category

Identity data: FDA GSRS/UNII 8ED8NXK95P [R1] and PubChem CID 9941957 [R8]. MW is the average molecular weight of the free peptide; acetate salts weigh more.

BPC-157 is also sold here as a premixed vial with TB-500 (Ac-LKKTETQ, an acetylated seven-residue fragment of thymosin β4, not the full protein): BPC-157 (10 mg) and TB-500 (10 mg) Blend. TB-500 itself is at TB-500 in Thymosin Peptides. For how the two molecules differ, see BPC-157 vs TB-500.

Limits of the evidence

A 2025 critical commentary noted that most BPC-157 studies "originate from a single research center," and that independent laboratories have added only a handful of short studies [R3]. A 2026 systematic review found three human studies with 30 participants in total, all of poor quality, and rated the certainty of evidence very low [R9].

Regulatory status

BPC-157 is not approved by the FDA for any use. In April 2026, FDA said it would remove BPC-157 from "Category 2" of its 503A compounding list, which flags substances with significant safety risks. That removal did not make it eligible for compounding [R10]. On July 23, 2026, FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted 8–6, with 1 abstention, to recommend BPC-157 for the 503A bulks list. The vote is advisory; FDA still has to complete rulemaking [R11]. BPC-157 is also named on the 2026 World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List [R12].

Gastric pentadecapeptide FAQ

What is a gastric pentadecapeptide?

It is a 15-amino-acid peptide from gastric juice research. BPC-157 is the main example and the only one sold here [R2].

What does BPC stand for?

BPC stands for "body protection compound" [R13]. BPC is the name its developers gave to the gastric juice protein the sequence is taken from [R2].

What is the CAS number of BPC-157?

CAS 137525-51-0. The FDA substance identifier (UNII) is 8ED8NXK95P [R1].

Is BPC-157 FDA-approved?

No. A July 2026 advisory vote on compounding was non-binding and did not approve it as a drug [R11].

How do I check a batch?

Compare the COA's mass-spectrometry result with the theoretical mass, and check HPLC purity. Our guide explains each line: How to read a peptide COA. See also RUO peptides explained.

References

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Global Substance Registration System: BPC-157, UNII 8ED8NXK95P. precision.fda.gov
2. Knezevic M, Gojkovic S, Krezic I, et al. Occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery in rats reversed by collateral pathways activation: gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 therapy counteracts multiple organ dysfunction syndrome; intracranial, portal, and caval hypertension; and aortal hypotension. Biomedicines. 2021;9(6):609. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9060609. PMID 34073625.
3. Józwiak M, Bauer M, Kamysz W, Kleczkowska P. Reply to Sikiric et al. BPC 157 therapy: targeting angiogenesis and nitric oxide's cytotoxic and damaging actions, but maintaining, promoting, or recovering their essential protective functions. Pharmaceuticals. 2025;18(10):1451. doi:10.3390/ph18101451. PMID 41155566.
4. Sikirić P, Petek M, Ručman R, et al. A new gastric juice peptide, BPC. An overview of the stomach-stress-organoprotection hypothesis and beneficial effects of BPC. J Physiol Paris. 1993;87(5):313–327. doi:10.1016/0928-4257(93)90038-U. PMID 8298609.
5. Chang CH, Tsai WC, Lin MS, Hsu YH, Pang JHS. The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration. J Appl Physiol. 2011;110(3):774–780. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00945.2010. PMID 21030672.
6. Demirtaş H. BPC 157 in rodent ischemia–reperfusion injury: a critical review of preclinical evidence. Int J Mol Sci. 2026;27(18):8344. doi:10.3390/ijms27188344. PMID 42794771.
7. Sikirić P, Seiwerth S, Ručman R, et al. Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157: novel therapy in gastrointestinal tract. Curr Pharm Des. 2011;17(16):1612–1632. doi:10.2174/138161211796196954. PMID 21548867.
8. PubChem. BPC-157, CID 9941957. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/9941957
9. Poolton JT, Minett J, Kazmi A. Human evidence for BPC-157 in orthopaedic and regenerative medicine: a systematic review of efficacy and safety. Acta Orthop Belg. 2026;92(3). doi:10.52628/92.3.15837. PMID 42885452.
10. Frier Levitt. FDA peptides "do not compound" list update 2026. April 2026. frierlevitt.com
11. McDermott Will & Schulte. Bulk-list bound? PCAC backs majority of peptides in two-day public meeting. July 27, 2026. mcdermottlaw.com
12. Finnish Center for Integrity in Sports (SUEK). Doping agent classes and substances 2026 (WADA Prohibited List). kamu.suek.fi
13. Vasireddi N, Hahamyan HA, Salata MJ, et al. Emerging use of BPC-157 in orthopaedic sports medicine: a systematic review. HSS J. 2025;21(4):485–495. doi:10.1177/15563316251355551. PMID 40756949.

For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.