BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is one of the most widely studied research peptides, drawing significant attention from the scientific community for its potential tissue-protective and regenerative properties. Originally derived from a protective protein found in human gastric juice, this 15-amino acid peptide (sequence: Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val) has been the subject of numerous preclinical studies since its discovery in the 1990s.

Whether you’re a researcher setting up your first BPC-157 protocol or an experienced scientist looking for a reliable reference, this guide covers everything from reconstitution to dosing calculations. For instant math, use our reconstitution calculator with the built-in BPC-157 preset.

What Is BPC-157?

BPC-157 is a synthetic pentadecapeptide — a chain of 15 amino acids — that is a partial sequence of body protection compound (BPC), a protein isolated from human gastric juice. Unlike the full BPC protein, BPC-157 is stable in human gastric juice and does not require a carrier for activity, making it particularly interesting for research applications.

Key Characteristics

  • Molecular weight: 1,419.53 g/mol
  • Amino acid sequence: Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val
  • CAS number: 137525-51-0
  • Appearance: White to off-white lyophilized powder
  • Solubility: Freely soluble in water and bacteriostatic water
  • Stability: Exceptionally stable for a peptide; resistant to enzymatic degradation in gastric juice

Research Applications

Published research on BPC-157 spans multiple areas, including:

  • Tendon and ligament healing — Multiple animal studies demonstrate accelerated healing of transected tendons (Achilles, quadriceps, and medial collateral ligament)
  • Muscle injury repair — Shown to promote muscle healing and counteract the effects of systemic corticosteroids on muscle healing
  • Gastrointestinal protection — Demonstrates cytoprotective effects on various GI lesions, including those induced by NSAIDs, alcohol, and stress
  • Bone healing — Research indicates potential to accelerate segmental bone defect healing
  • Wound healing — Promotes cutaneous wound healing in animal models, including in diabetic and aged subjects
  • Neuroprotection — Studies suggest protective effects against various neurotoxic insults

Disclaimer: BPC-157 is sold for research purposes only. The information in this guide is intended for researchers and does not constitute medical advice.

BPC-157 Vial Sizes and Forms

BPC-157 is commercially available in several formats:

Form Common Sizes Storage (Pre-Reconstitution)
Lyophilized powder 5 mg, 10 mg Freezer (-20°C) or refrigerator (2-8°C)
Acetate salt 5 mg, 10 mg Same as above
Free base Less common Same as above

The 5 mg vial is by far the most common size for research use. The acetate salt form is slightly more stable and is the standard offered by most suppliers.

Note on purity: Look for peptides with ≥98% purity as verified by HPLC analysis. Reputable suppliers like Chameleon Peptides provide third-party certificates of analysis (COA) with every batch.

How to Reconstitute BPC-157

Supplies Needed

  • BPC-157 lyophilized vial (typically 5 mg)
  • Bacteriostatic water (BAC water) — why BAC water?
  • Insulin syringes (1 mL/100u for reconstitution; 0.5 mL/50u for dosing)
  • Alcohol swabs (70% isopropyl)
  • Clean, flat workspace

Step-by-Step Reconstitution

Step 1: Remove the peptide vial from storage and allow it to reach room temperature (5-10 minutes). Inspect the lyophilized cake — it should be white to off-white with no discoloration.

Step 2: Sterilize the rubber stoppers on both the BPC-157 vial and the BAC water vial using alcohol swabs. Allow to air dry for 15-30 seconds.

Step 3: Decide on your solvent volume. For a 5 mg vial, the most common choices are:

Solvent Volume Concentration 250 mcg Dose = Doses per Vial
1 mL 5,000 mcg/mL 5 units 20
2 mL 2,500 mcg/mL 10 units 20
2.5 mL 2,000 mcg/mL 12.5 units 20

The 2 mL option is recommended for most researchers — it produces a clean 10 units per 250 mcg dose, which is easy to measure accurately on any insulin syringe.

Step 4: Using a fresh insulin syringe, draw 2 mL (or your chosen volume) of bacteriostatic water from the BAC water vial.

Step 5: Insert the needle through the BPC-157 vial’s rubber stopper. Aim the needle at the inside wall of the vial, not at the powder. Slowly depress the plunger, allowing the water to trickle down the glass wall and gradually contact the peptide cake.

Step 6: Remove the syringe. Gently swirl the vial with a slow wrist motion. Do not shake. BPC-157 typically dissolves very quickly — within 30-60 seconds in most cases.

Step 7: Inspect the solution. It should be clear and colorless with no visible particles. BPC-157 reconstitutes cleanly with no cloudiness when properly handled.

Step 8: Label the vial with the peptide name, concentration (2.5 mg/mL or 2,500 mcg/mL), reconstitution date, and expiration date (28 days from today). Refrigerate immediately at 2-8°C.

For the full reconstitution process with additional tips, see our complete reconstitution guide.

BPC-157 Dosing Calculations

Standard Research Doses

Published research on BPC-157 in animal models typically uses doses in the range of 1-10 mcg per kg of body weight per day, with most studies using a dose equivalent to approximately 200-500 mcg per day when extrapolated to human-equivalent dosing.

The most commonly referenced research doses are:

Research Dose 5mg Vial + 2mL BAC Syringe Units Notes
100 mcg 4 units Small dose, precision syringe recommended Lower end of research range
250 mcg 10 units Most common research dose Standard protocol
300 mcg 12 units Moderate dose Common alternative
500 mcg 20 units Higher dose range Some protocols use this
750 mcg 30 units High dose Upper range in research

Calculating Your Dose

Using the standard 5 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL BAC water:

  1. Concentration: 5 mg ÷ 2 mL = 2.5 mg/mL = 2,500 mcg/mL
  2. For 250 mcg: 250 ÷ 2,500 = 0.1 mL = 10 units
  3. For 500 mcg: 500 ÷ 2,500 = 0.2 mL = 20 units

Don’t want to do the math? Our peptide dosage calculator has a BPC-157 preset that instantly shows you exact syringe units for any dose.

Dosing Frequency in Research Literature

Research protocols vary, but the most common frequencies observed in published studies include:

  • Once daily (QD): Most common in published animal research — single daily administration
  • Twice daily (BID): Some protocols split the daily dose into two administrations, 8-12 hours apart
  • Once daily for loading, then less frequent: Some researchers use daily dosing for an initial period, then reduce frequency

Research Protocol Duration

Published BPC-157 research protocols typically span:

  • Short-term studies: 7-14 days (acute injury models)
  • Standard protocols: 21-30 days (most common in tissue healing research)
  • Extended protocols: 4-8 weeks (chronic condition models)

Routes of Administration in Research

BPC-157 research has utilized multiple administration routes:

Subcutaneous (SC):

  • Most common route in research
  • Injected near the area of interest when applicable (local effect)
  • Also effective when injected at a distant site (systemic effect)
  • Typical volumes: 0.1-0.3 mL per injection

Intramuscular (IM):

  • Used in some muscle-healing research
  • Similar efficacy to subcutaneous in most studies

Intraperitoneal (IP):

  • Common in rodent studies
  • Standard route for systemic administration in animal research

Oral:

  • Uniquely, BPC-157 has demonstrated efficacy via oral administration in multiple studies
  • The peptide’s stability in gastric juice makes oral delivery viable
  • Research suggests comparable efficacy to parenteral routes for GI-related applications
  • Oral dosing typically uses higher amounts due to bioavailability considerations

BPC-157 Storage and Stability

Before Reconstitution (Lyophilized Powder)

  • Freezer (-20°C): Optimal for long-term storage — stable for 24+ months
  • Refrigerator (2-8°C): Good for several months
  • Room temperature: Acceptable for short periods during shipping; not recommended for long-term storage
  • Keep desiccated: Moisture is the enemy of lyophilized peptides

After Reconstitution (In Solution)

  • Refrigerator (2-8°C): Stable for 28 days when reconstituted with bacteriostatic water
  • Never freeze: Ice crystal formation damages peptide structure in solution
  • Protect from light: While BPC-157 is not highly photosensitive, light exposure accelerates degradation
  • Keep upright: Minimizes rubber stopper contact with solution

Signs of Degradation

Discard your BPC-157 solution if you observe any of the following:

  • Cloudiness or turbidity (should be crystal clear)
  • Visible particles or floaters
  • Discoloration (yellow, amber, or any color change)
  • The solution was left at room temperature for extended periods (>4 hours)
  • Past the 28-day post-reconstitution window

For comprehensive storage guidelines, see our peptide storage guide.

Vial Yield: How Many Doses Per Vial?

Planning your research budget requires knowing how many doses you can get from each vial:

5 mg Vial

Daily Dose Doses per Vial Duration (Daily Dosing) Duration (2x Daily)
100 mcg 50 50 days* 25 days*
250 mcg 20 20 days 10 days
300 mcg ~16 ~16 days ~8 days
500 mcg 10 10 days 5 days

*Note: Even though you can mathematically get 50 doses, reconstituted peptide is only stable for 28 days in BAC water. Plan accordingly.

10 mg Vial

Daily Dose Doses per Vial Duration (Daily Dosing)
250 mcg 40 28 days (limited by stability, not vial content)
500 mcg 20 20 days

For 10 mg vials at lower doses, you may not use the entire vial before the 28-day stability window expires. Consider whether a 5 mg vial would be more practical for your protocol.

Combining BPC-157 with Other Peptides

BPC-157 + TB-500 (Common Research Stack)

One of the most frequently discussed combinations in peptide research literature involves BPC-157 and TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment). Both peptides have been studied for tissue repair, but through different mechanisms:

  • BPC-157: Promotes angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), modulates nitric oxide, and upregulates growth factor receptors
  • TB-500: Promotes cell migration, reduces inflammation, and has actin-binding properties

Researchers have noted potentially complementary mechanisms, though direct combination studies are limited. When using both:

  • They can be reconstituted separately and drawn into the same syringe (chemically compatible)
  • Typical research doses: 250 mcg BPC-157 + 2-5 mg TB-500
  • The peptides have different dosing frequencies in most protocols (BPC-157 daily; TB-500 2-3x/week)

Compatibility Notes

BPC-157 is compatible with bacteriostatic water and can generally be combined in the same syringe with most other water-soluble peptides. However, always reconstitute each peptide in its own vial — never add a second peptide’s powder to an already-reconstituted vial.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much bacteriostatic water should I add to a 5 mg BPC-157 vial?

The most common and recommended volume is 2 mL, which creates a concentration of 2,500 mcg/mL. At this concentration, a standard 250 mcg dose equals exactly 10 units on an insulin syringe — easy to measure accurately. Use our calculator to explore different volumes.

What is the standard research dose for BPC-157?

Published research most commonly uses doses equivalent to approximately 250 mcg per day for standard protocols. Some studies use doses ranging from 100 mcg to 500 mcg depending on the research model. Always refer to published literature for your specific research application.

Can BPC-157 be taken orally in research?

Yes — uniquely among peptides, BPC-157 has demonstrated efficacy via oral administration in multiple published studies. Its stability in gastric juice allows it to survive the digestive environment. Oral dosing research typically uses higher amounts than subcutaneous protocols, though direct dose comparisons are limited.

How long does reconstituted BPC-157 last?

When reconstituted with bacteriostatic water and stored at 2-8°C (refrigerator), BPC-157 remains stable for approximately 28 days. With sterile water, it should be used within 24 hours. Always discard if the solution becomes cloudy or discolored.

Can I freeze reconstituted BPC-157?

No. Freezing reconstituted peptides causes ice crystals that physically damage the peptide molecules. Only freeze BPC-157 in its lyophilized (powder) form. Once dissolved, keep refrigerated and use within 28 days.

Where should I inject BPC-157 for research?

In animal research, BPC-157 is most commonly administered subcutaneously. Some protocols specify injection near the area of research interest (e.g., near a tendon injury site), while others demonstrate systemic effects from distant injection sites. The route depends on the specific research protocol.

How do I know if my BPC-157 is still good?

A properly reconstituted BPC-157 solution should be clear, colorless, and free of particles. Any cloudiness, discoloration, floating particles, or unusual odor indicates the peptide has degraded or the solution is contaminated. When in doubt, discard and reconstitute fresh.

Is the acetate salt form different from free base BPC-157?

The acetate salt form is the standard commercial preparation and is slightly more stable than the free base. The acetate counter-ion adds a small amount of mass to the vial content, but this is accounted for in the labeled peptide weight (e.g., a “5 mg BPC-157 acetate” vial contains 5 mg of active BPC-157 peptide). Both forms reconstitute identically.

Summary

BPC-157 is one of the most straightforward peptides to work with:

  1. Reconstitute a 5 mg vial with 2 mL BAC water → 2,500 mcg/mL
  2. Draw 10 units on an insulin syringe for a standard 250 mcg dose
  3. Store refrigerated at 2-8°C for up to 28 days
  4. 20 doses per 5 mg vial at 250 mcg each

For instant calculations with any vial size and dose, use our free peptide reconstitution calculator — it includes a BPC-157 preset with common dosing options.

For research-grade BPC-157 with verified purity and third-party COA, researchers trust suppliers like Chameleon Peptides.