Amerikanische Gesellschaft für Hirudotherapie

Chinese Medicinal Leech: Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities

Research article published in Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine (2016)

Zuletzt aktualisiert: June 18, 2026Geprüft von: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Narrative reviewArzneimittelentwicklungDong H et al. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine, 2016

Abstract

Hirudo (Shuizhi in Chinese) is an important Chinese medicine, which possesses many therapeutic properties for the treatment of the cerebral hemorrhage and other thrombosis-related diseases. The phytochemical investigation gave more than 51 compounds including pteridines, phosphatidylcholines, glycosphingolipids, and sterols, as well as some bioactive peptides from the Shuizhi derived from three animal species recorded in the current Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The pharmacological studies on the Shuizhi have revealed various activities such as anticoagulation, antithrombosis, antiatherosclerosis, antiplatelet aggregation, antitumor and anti-inflammatory as well as hemorheology improvement, and protective effects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, some important issues based on the traditional uses of Shuizhi are still not clear. The aim of the present review is to provide comprehensive knowledge on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of Shuizhi. It will provide a potential guidance in exploring main active compounds of Shuizhi and interpreting the action mechanism for the further research.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeJournal ArticleReview

Zusammenfassung

Chinese Medicinal Leech: Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities.

Warum dies für die Hirudotherapie relevant ist

This review covers the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of Hirudo (Shuizhi) as recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, derived from three animal species. The abstract reports identification of more than 51 compounds (pteridines, phosphatidylcholines, glycosphingolipids, sterols, and bioactive peptides) and pharmacological activities including anticoagulation, antithrombosis, antiatherosclerosis, antiplatelet aggregation, antitumor, anti-inflammatory effects, hemorheology improvement, and protection against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. This is relevant to ASH as it surveys bioactive constituents of a medicinal leech and their reported therapeutic mechanisms. Caveat: it is a review summarizing prior literature and notes that important issues around traditional uses remain unresolved.

Zitation

Chinese Medicinal Leech: Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities

Dong H et al. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine, 2016

DOI

Verwandter klinischer Kontext

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Drug PipelineDrug DevelopmentDirect Thrombin InhibitorsHirudinAnticoagulation CompoundsHemostasisOtolaryngology

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