BPC-157 Reduces Anxiety in Rats Across Two Different Behavioral Tests
BPC-157 showed anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects comparable to diazepam in both the shock probe/burying test and the light/dark test in rats, at both microgram and nanogram doses.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
BPC-157 at 10 μg/kg and 10 ng/kg IP produced anxiolytic effects comparable to diazepam in both the shock probe/burying test (reduced defensive burying) and light/dark test (increased light exploration) in rats.
Key Numbers
How They Did This
Animal behavioral study in rats using two validated anxiety models: shock probe/burying test and light/dark test. BPC-157 at two doses compared to diazepam at two doses and saline control.
Why This Research Matters
Anxiety disorders affect 300+ million people and current treatments (benzodiazepines) cause dependence. A peptide anxiolytic without benzodiazepine side effects could address a massive unmet need.
The Bigger Picture
BPC-157's anxiolytic effect at nanogram doses is remarkable. Combined with its previously shown ability to prevent benzodiazepine dependence, it could potentially serve as both an anxiolytic AND a benzodiazepine-sparing agent.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Rat anxiety models are approximations of human anxiety. IP injection route. Long-term anxiolytic efficacy and safety not assessed.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does oral BPC-157 maintain anxiolytic activity?
- ?Could BPC-157 treat anxiety disorders in humans?
- ?Is the anxiolytic effect mediated through dopamine, GABA, or another system?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Matched diazepam BPC-157 at nanogram doses matched diazepam's anxiolytic effect in two different anxiety tests — without the benzodiazepine's dependence risk
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary animal evidence from two validated anxiety models with appropriate positive control (diazepam) and dose-response data.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2001. BPC-157's anxiolytic and broader neurological effects have been studied further, building a substantial behavioral pharmacology profile.
- Original Title:
- Anxiolytic effect of BPC-157, a gastric pentadecapeptide: shock probe/burying test and light/dark test.
- Published In:
- Acta pharmacologica Sinica, 22(3), 225-30 (2001)
- Authors:
- Sikiric, P(36), Jelovac, N(9), Jelovac-Gjeldum, A, Dodig, G, Staresinic, M, Anic, T, Zoricic, I, Ferovic, D, Aralica, G, Buljat, G, Prkacin, I, Lovric-Bencic, M, Separovic, J, Seiwerth, S, Rucman, R, Petek, M, Turkovic, B, Ziger, T
- Database ID:
- RPEP-00696
Evidence Hierarchy
Tests effects in animals (usually mice or rats), not humans.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can BPC-157 help with anxiety?
In rats, BPC-157 reduced anxiety behavior as effectively as diazepam (Valium) in two different tests. Remarkably, it worked at incredibly tiny doses (nanograms). Human anxiety studies haven't been done yet.
Is it better than benzodiazepines?
BPC-157 matched diazepam's anti-anxiety effect without being a benzodiazepine. Combined with a separate study showing it prevents benzodiazepine dependence, BPC-157 could potentially provide anxiety relief without the addiction risk.
Read More on RethinkPeptides
Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-00696APA
Sikiric, P; Jelovac, N; Jelovac-Gjeldum, A; Dodig, G; Staresinic, M; Anic, T; Zoricic, I; Ferovic, D; Aralica, G; Buljat, G; Prkacin, I; Lovric-Bencic, M; Separovic, J; Seiwerth, S; Rucman, R; Petek, M; Turkovic, B; Ziger, T. (2001). Anxiolytic effect of BPC-157, a gastric pentadecapeptide: shock probe/burying test and light/dark test.. Acta pharmacologica Sinica, 22(3), 225-30.
MLA
Sikiric, P, et al. "Anxiolytic effect of BPC-157, a gastric pentadecapeptide: shock probe/burying test and light/dark test.." Acta pharmacologica Sinica, 2001.
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Anxiolytic effect of BPC-157, a gastric pentadecapeptide: sh..." RPEP-00696. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/sikiric-2001-anxiolytic-effect-of-bpc157
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.