Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

BPC 157, known as the "Body Protection Compound", is a pentadecapeptide isolated from human gastric juice that demonstrated its pleiotropic beneficial effects in various preclinical models mimicking medical conditions, such as tissue injury, inflammatory bowel disease, or even CNS disorders. Unlike many other drugs, BPC 157 has a desirable safety profile, since only a few side effects have been reported following its administration. Nevertheless, this compound was temporarily banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 2022 (it is not currently listed as banned by the WADA). However, it has not been approved for use in standard medicine by the FDA and other global regulatory authorities due to the absence of sufficient and comprehensive clinical studies confirming its health benefits in humans. In this review, we summarize information on the biological activities of BPC 157, with particular reference to its mechanism of action and probable toxicity. This generated the attention of experts, as BPC 157 has been offered for sale on many websites. We also present recent interest in BPC 157 as reflected in a number of patent applications and granted patents.

We wish to thank the Authors of the comment for their interest in our manuscript [...].

BPC 157, known as the "Body Protection Compound", is a pentadecapeptide isolated from human gastric juice that demonstrated its pleiotropic beneficial effects in various preclinical models mimicking medical conditions, such as tissue injury, inflammatory bowel disease, or even CNS disorders. Unlike many other drugs, BPC 157 has a desirable safety profile, since only a few side effects have been reported following its administration. Nevertheless, this compound was temporarily banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 2022 (it is not currently listed as banned by the WADA). However, it has not been approved for use in standard medicine by the FDA and other global regulatory authorities due to the absence of sufficient and comprehensive clinical studies confirming its health benefits in humans. In this review, we summarize information on the biological activities of BPC 157, with particular reference to its mechanism of action and probable toxicity. This generated the attention of experts, as BPC 157 has been offered for sale on many websites. We also present recent interest in BPC 157 as reflected in a number of patent applications and granted patents.

Although approached through many concepts, the pleiotropic healing issue, specifically, maintaining/reestablishing tissue integrity, remains a central challenge in pharmacology, particularly when the process is misdirected or not properly controlled. Robert and Szabo's concept of cytoprotection holds that innate cell (epithelial (Robert), endothelial (Szabo)) integrity and protection/maintenance/reestablishment in the stomach is translated to other organ therapy (cytoprotection → organoprotection) via the cytoprotection agent's effect. Therefore, we defend stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 therapy's efficacy and pleiotropic beneficial effects, along with its high safety (LD1 not achieved), against speculation of its negative impact, speculation of angiogenesis toward tumorigenesis, increased NO and eNOS, damaging free radical formation, and neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease). Contrarily, in wound healing and general healing capabilities, as reviewed, as a cytoprotective agent and native cytoprotection mediator, BPC 157 controls angiogenesis and the NO-system's healing functions and counteracts the pathological presentation of neurodegenerative diseases in acknowledged animal models (i.e., Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease), and it presents prominent anti-tumor potential in vivo and in vitro. BPC 157 resolved cornea transparency maintenance, cornea healing "angiogenic privilege" (vs. angiogenesis/neovascularization/tumorigenesis), and it does not produce corneal neovascularization but rather opposes it. Per Folkman's concept, it demonstrates an anti-tumor effect in vivo and in vitro. BPC 157 exhibits a distinctive effect on the NO-level (increase vs. decrease), always combined with the counteraction of free radical formation, and, in mice and rats, BPC 157 therapy counteracts Parkinson's disease-like and Alzheimer's disease-like disturbances. Thus, BPC 157 therapy means targeting angiogenesis and NO's cytotoxic and damaging actions but maintaining, promoting, or recovering their essential protective functions.