BPC-157 in tendon and ligament research: three preclinical studies

BPC-157 is a peptide that has primarily been studied in laboratory and animal models. In this article, we discuss three published studies on BPC-157 in the area of tendon and ligament healing.

Important: the results described below are preclinical. They do not constitute evidence that BPC-157 is safe or effective in humans.

1. Chang et al. - tendon cells, survival, and migration

Chang and colleagues investigated the effect of BPC-157 on processes involved in tendon healing. In their laboratory study, they examined, among other things, tendon cell outgrowth, survival, and migration.

The researchers reported that BPC-157 promoted the migration and survival of the cells studied. These are processes that may be involved in tissue healing.

However, this was laboratory research using animal cells and tendon tissue. No conclusions can be drawn from this about efficacy, safety, or appropriate use in humans.

Original publication:

Chang CH, Tsai WC, Hsu YH, Pang JH. The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration. Journal of Applied Physiology. 2011.

PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21030672/

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00945.2010

2. Staresinic et al. - transected Achilles tendon in rats

Staresinic and colleagues investigated BPC-157 in an animal model involving rats whose Achilles tendons had been transected. They also studied its effect on cultured tendon cells.

The authors reported improvements in various functional, histological, and biomechanical study outcomes. They also described stimulation of tendon cell growth in the laboratory.

Because this study was conducted in rats and cultured cells, the results cannot be directly translated to humans. Animal research may provide indications for further study, but it is not clinical evidence.

Original publication:

Staresinic M, Sebecic B, Patrlj L, et al. Gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 accelerates healing of transected rat Achilles tendon and in vitro stimulates tendocytes growth. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 2003.

PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14554208/

3. Cerovecki et al. - ligament healing in rats

Cerovecki and colleagues investigated BPC-157 in a rat model involving a transected ligament. The researchers assessed, among other things, biomechanical and histological characteristics of healing.

The authors reported improvements in various investigated properties of the ligament. According to the researchers, these findings indicate a possible effect within this specific animal model.

Here too, it is important to note that this was animal research. The results do not demonstrate that BPC-157 is safe or effective in humans.

Original publication:

Cerovecki T, Bojanic I, Brcic L, et al. Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (PL 14736) improves ligament healing in the rat. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 2010.

PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20225319/

Conclusion

The three studies report effects of BPC-157 on tendon cells, Achilles tendon healing, and ligament healing in laboratory and animal models. The available evidence is preclinical.

These studies do not provide evidence of safety or efficacy in humans. Well-designed, independent clinical studies in humans are necessary before reliable conclusions can be drawn on this subject.

Independence and product information

The studies discussed were not conducted using Peptidera products. Referring to a scientific publication does not mean that the material studied in it is identical to a Peptidera product.

Based on these studies, Peptidera makes no claims regarding medical efficacy, safety, or suitability for human use. Products are offered exclusively for scientific research and laboratory use and are not intended for human or animal consumption, self-administration, diagnostic use, or therapeutic use.

Sources checked on September 28, 2026.