Amerikanische Gesellschaft für Hirudotherapie

Purification and characterization of an anticoagulant oligopeptide from Whitmania pigra Whitman

Biochemistry/pharmacology published in Pharmacogn Mag (2015)

Zuletzt aktualisiert: June 18, 2026Geprüft von: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Research reportSpeichel-PharmakologieZheng X et al. · Pharmacognosy magazine, 2015

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dried Whitmania pigra is used for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in traditional Chinese medicine and hot water and alcohol extracts also have anticogulant activity. However, a lower molecular weight and more stable anticogulant is needed. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the following study is to purify and characterize of an anticoagulant oligopeptide from Hirudo (Whitmania pigra Whitman). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gel filtration on Sephadex G-50, ion exchange on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose, and semi-prepared high-performance liquid chromatography were used to purify Hirudo. Automated coagulation analyzer was used for evaluating anticoagulant activity. Molecular weight was measured by Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Amino acid sequence of the oligopeptide was measured by amino acid sequence analyzer. RESULTS: A new anticoagulant, named whitide, isolated from Hirudo was purified, with a molecular weight 1997.1 Da. Amino acid sequence of the oligopeptide was identified as Gly-Pro-ALa-Gly-Hyp-Val-Gly-Ala-Hyp-Gly-Gly-Hyp-Gly-Val-Arg-Gly-Leu-Hyp-Gly-Asp-Arg-Gly. The results revealed that its amino acid sequence had strong homology to various types of collagen. CONCLUSION: Whitide might be an orally anticoagulant for its hot and trypsin stable.

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

Publication typeJournal Article

Zusammenfassung

Novel anticoagulant oligopeptide 'whitide' (~2 kDa, 22 residues, collagen-homologous) purified from Whitmania pigra. Stable to heat and trypsin, suggesting potential as an orally bioavailable anticoagulant.

Warum dies für die Hirudotherapie relevant ist

This research purified and characterized a novel anticoagulant oligopeptide named whitide from the traditional Chinese medicine leech Whitmania pigra. The study identified its amino acid sequence, demonstrated its stability against heat and trypsin, and suggested its potential as an oral anticoagulant based on these structural properties. For the American Society of Hirudotherapy, this contributes to the broader pharmacological profiling of leech-derived molecules and their mechanisms of action. However, it is important to note that this is purely a foundational biochemical study with no included animal models, clinical data, or direct application to live leech therapy.

Zitation

Purification and characterization of an anticoagulant oligopeptide from Whitmania pigra Whitman.

Zheng X et al. · Pharmacognosy magazine, 2015

DOI

Verwandter klinischer Kontext

Erfahren Sie, wie diese Forschung mit der klinischen Praxis verknüpft ist

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