BPC-157
Extensive rodent literature reporting tendon, ligament and gut healing effects, almost entirely from a single research group. Human trial evidence is minimal.
Healing & Repair
Ara-290
An eleven-amino-acid peptide from erythropoietin that keeps its tissue-protective effects without raising red blood cells. Phase 2 data in sarcoidosis neuropathy is encouraging but small.
Overview
Erythropoietin is known for stimulating red blood cell production, but it has a second job: protecting injured tissue. Those two functions run through different receptors. Ara-290 is a small piece of the EPO molecule that activates only the protective receptor, so it can be given for tissue repair without thickening the blood — which is what made EPO itself unusable for this purpose.
An 11-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the aqueous face of helix B of erythropoietin. Selectively activates the innate repair receptor, a heterodimer of EPOR and the beta-common receptor (CD131), without engaging the homodimeric EPOR that drives erythropoiesis. Downstream effects include reduced apoptosis, attenuated inflammatory cytokine release and restoration of small nerve fibre density. Phase 2 trials in sarcoidosis-associated small fibre neuropathy reported improvements in corneal nerve fibre density and patient-reported neuropathic symptoms; trials in type 2 diabetes-associated neuropathy have also been conducted.
Research areas
Small fibre neuropathySarcoidosisTissue protectionNeuropathic pain
Dosing reported in the literature
Every protocol below is reproduced from a published study or approved labelling, with its source named. These are records of what was studied — not recommendations, and not a suggestion that any of them is appropriate for any person.
| Protocol as reported | Source |
|---|---|
| 4 mg subcutaneously once daily for 28 days in sarcoidosis-associated small fibre neuropathy | Dahan et al., Molecular Medicine 2013 |
| 4 mg daily for 28 days with corneal confocal microscopy endpoints | Culver et al., Chest 2017 |
Trial status
Phase 2 completed in sarcoidosis small fibre neuropathy and in diabetic neuropathy. No phase 3 has reported.
Reported safety signals
- Well tolerated in the trials conducted, with no haemoglobin elevation — the specific safety advantage over EPO.
- Total human exposure remains small; the longest published trials are around a month.
- Sold through unregulated channels outside trials, where identity and purity are unverified.
Common questions
Why not just use erythropoietin for tissue repair?
Because the dose needed for tissue protection also raises haematocrit, and that increases the risk of thrombosis and stroke. Ara-290 exists precisely to separate the two effects — it activates the repair receptor and leaves the erythropoietic one alone.
Primary sources
- 01
ARA 290 improves symptoms in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss and increases corneal nerve fiber density
- 02
Cibinetide improves corneal nerve fiber abundance in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss and neuropathic pain
- 03
The innate repair receptor: a novel target for tissue protection
Medical disclaimer
This page is for informational and research purposes only. Nothing here constitutes medical advice. The compounds discussed are research chemicals. Consult a qualified clinician before starting any protocol.
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