Regeneration or Risk? A Narrative Review of BPC-157 for Musculoskeletal Healing
McGuire FP, Martinez R, Lenz A, et al. (2025). Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine.
Summary
A review written for musculoskeletal clinicians, prompted by how widely available BPC-157 has become and by the regulatory questions around it. It describes the compound as a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide originally isolated from gastric juice with regenerative properties reported across numerous animal models, acting through overlapping pathways including VEGFR2 and nitric oxide synthesis via the Akt-eNOS axis, and engaging ERK1/2 signalling, with effects on blood vessel formation, fibroblast activity and neuromuscular stabilisation, particularly in poorly vascularised tissue such as tendon. The review assesses the breadth and quality of the evidence rather than assuming it, and considers safety alongside potential.