What Is BPC-157? A Research Guide for South African Labs
BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide derived from a partial sequence of body protection compound, a protein identified in human gastric juice. It is one of the most frequently requested compounds in South African research procurement, largely because of the volume of published pre-clinical work on tissue repair and gut integrity. This guide covers what the molecule is, what the literature actually studies, and the practical handling points that matter when a vial arrives in your lab.
Structure and identity
BPC-157 has the sequence Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val, a molecular formula of C62H98N16O22 and a molecular weight of approximately 1419.5 g/mol. It is commonly supplied as the acetate salt in lyophilised form.
Because the sequence is short and unusually proline-rich, BPC-157 is notably stable in aqueous solution compared with many larger peptides — a property that shows up repeatedly in stability work and is one reason it is convenient to handle at the bench.
Identity and purity on every batch we supply are confirmed by HPLC and mass spectrometry, and a Certificate of Analysis is available on request for the specific lot you receive.
What the published research investigates
The bulk of the pre-clinical literature examines angiogenesis and the VEGFR2 signalling pathway, tendon and ligament fibroblast migration, and gastrointestinal mucosal integrity in animal and cell models.
Secondary lines of investigation include nitric oxide system interaction, growth-factor expression during wound closure, and modulation of inflammatory signalling in the gut.
It is important to be precise here: this body of work is overwhelmingly animal and in-vitro. BPC-157 is not an approved medicine in South Africa or elsewhere, and no human efficacy or safety conclusions should be drawn from these studies.
Reconstitution and preparation
Lyophilised BPC-157 is typically reconstituted with bacteriostatic water. Add the diluent slowly down the inside wall of the vial rather than directly onto the powder, and swirl gently — never shake, which can shear the peptide.
Concentration is simply the peptide mass divided by the diluent volume. A 5 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL gives 2.5 mg/mL. Our peptide calculator handles the unit conversions, including insulin-syringe units, and shows the fill level on the syringe graphic.
Once reconstituted, solution should be kept refrigerated and protected from light. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles are the most common cause of avoidable potency loss.
Storage and shelf life
Sealed lyophilised vials are stable for extended periods at -20 °C and tolerate ambient shipping temperatures well, which is why courier transit across South Africa is not a concern for this compound.
After reconstitution, store at 2-8 °C. Label the vial with the reconstitution date and final concentration — undocumented vials are the single biggest source of error in peptide work.
Frequently asked questions
- Is BPC-157 legal to buy in South Africa?
- BPC-157 is supplied and sold in South Africa as a research chemical for in-vitro laboratory use only. It is not registered as a medicine and may not be supplied or used for human or veterinary purposes.
- What purity should BPC-157 be?
- Research-grade BPC-157 should test at 99% or higher by HPLC, with identity confirmed by mass spectrometry. Always ask the supplier for the Certificate of Analysis matching your specific batch number.
- How is BPC-157 reconstituted?
- With bacteriostatic water, added slowly against the vial wall and mixed by gentle swirling. Divide the peptide mass by the diluent volume to get your concentration, then store the reconstituted vial at 2-8 °C.
- How long does BPC-157 last once mixed?
- Reconstituted BPC-157 is generally kept refrigerated and used within a few weeks. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, and keep the solution out of direct light.
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All information on this page is provided for laboratory and educational reference only. Peptides Lab SA (PTY) Ltd supplies compounds strictly for in-vitro research use. Nothing here is medical advice, a dosing recommendation, or a claim of human safety or efficacy.