What Is BPC-157? Sequence, Molecular Weight, CAS Number and Research Literature
By the Zen Well Labs Research Team · Last reviewed September 2026 · For laboratory research reference only
Short answer: BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a synthetic pentadecapeptide — 15 amino acids, sequence Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val — with molecular formula C62H98N16O22, a molecular weight of about 1419.5 Da and CAS number 137525-51-0. It has been studied almost entirely in cell-culture and animal models. It is not approved by the FDA for any use and is sold by Zen Well Labs for in-vitro laboratory research only.
BPC-157 at a glance
| Common names | BPC-157, BPC 157, PL 14736, Bepecin |
| Type | Synthetic linear pentadecapeptide (15 residues) |
| Sequence (one-letter) | GEPPPGKPADDAGLV |
| Sequence (three-letter) | Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val |
| Molecular formula | C62H98N16O22 |
| Molecular weight | ≈1419.5 Da |
| CAS number | 137525-51-0 |
| PubChem CID | 9941957 |
| Typical supplied form | Lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder, commonly as the acetate salt |
| Regulatory status | Not FDA-approved for any use; research chemical |
Where does BPC-157 come from?
BPC-157 is a laboratory-made fragment. Its 15-residue sequence was derived from a larger protein that researchers at the University of Zagreb described in gastric juice and named Body Protection Compound. The 15-residue fragment itself has not been shown to occur naturally as a free peptide; every commercial vial of BPC-157 is produced by solid-phase peptide synthesis.
An unusual feature that the original researchers emphasised is stability: unlike many short peptides, BPC-157 was reported to remain intact in gastric juice for extended periods in vitro, which is why the literature often calls it a “stable gastric pentadecapeptide.”
What has the published research looked at?
Nearly all BPC-157 literature is preclinical — rodent models and cell culture — and a large share of it comes from a single research group (Sikiric and colleagues, Zagreb). Readers should weigh it accordingly. Themes in the published work include:
- Tendon and ligament cell models. Chang and colleagues (Journal of Applied Physiology, 2011) reported increased outgrowth, survival and migration of rat tendon fibroblasts in culture, with involvement of the FAK–paxillin pathway.
- Angiogenesis signalling. Several papers describe effects on VEGFR2 expression and downstream Akt–eNOS signalling in endothelial cell and rodent models.
- Nitric oxide system interactions. Reviews by Sikiric et al. describe interactions with NO-system agonists and antagonists in rodent models.
- Gastrointestinal tract models. The earliest and largest body of work concerns rodent models of GI lesions (reviewed in Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2011).
What is missing matters as much: there are no large, published, peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials establishing safety or efficacy in humans. Claims of proven human benefit are not supported by the current literature.
Storage and stability in the laboratory
As a lyophilized powder, BPC-157 is generally stored sealed, dry and protected from light at −20 °C for long-term storage; short periods at 2–8 °C are commonly tolerated. Once reconstituted for bench work, peptide solutions are far less stable than the dry powder: keep them at 2–8 °C, minimise freeze–thaw cycles by aliquoting, and use them within the window your own stability data support. See our guide to lyophilized peptide storage and stability for the general principles.
How is BPC-157 identity and purity verified?
The two standard analytical methods are reversed-phase HPLC (purity, reported as percent peak area) and mass spectrometry (identity — the observed mass should match the theoretical ≈1419.5 Da). A Certificate of Analysis should report both, tied to a specific batch number. Our explainer on how to read a peptide COA walks through each field.
Frequently asked questions
What is the amino acid sequence of BPC-157?
Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val, written GEPPPGKPADDAGLV in one-letter code. It is 15 residues long.
What is the molecular weight and CAS number of BPC-157?
The molecular weight is approximately 1419.5 Da (formula C62H98N16O22) and the CAS number is 137525-51-0.
Is BPC-157 FDA-approved?
No. BPC-157 is not approved by the FDA for any human or veterinary use. It is also listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List as a non-approved substance.
Is BPC-157 a natural peptide?
The sequence was derived from a protein described in gastric juice, but the 15-residue peptide sold for research is fully synthetic.
Have there been human clinical trials of BPC-157?
Published human data are very limited. The overwhelming majority of the literature consists of rodent and cell-culture studies, and no large randomized controlled trial results have been published in peer-reviewed journals.
What is BPC-157 sold by Zen Well Labs intended for?
In-vitro laboratory research only. It is not for human or veterinary use.
References
- Sikiric P, et al. Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157: novel therapy in gastrointestinal tract. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2011;17(16):1612–1632.
- 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.
- PubChem Compound Summary, CID 9941957 (BPC-157). National Center for Biotechnology Information.
- World Anti-Doping Agency. Prohibited List, section S0 (Non-approved substances).
Related
Research use only. All products sold by Zen Well Labs are intended strictly for in-vitro laboratory research. They are not drugs, foods, cosmetics or dietary supplements, are not approved by the FDA for any use, and are not for human or veterinary use. Nothing on this page is medical advice, and nothing here describes or recommends administration to humans or animals.
