American Society of Hirudotherapy

Asiaticobdella Hirudin Variant 2

Putative hirudin variant from the salivary transcriptome of the African medicinal leech Asiaticobdella fenestrata — Schulz 2025 recombinant characterization in coagulation assays.

Preclinical / mechanisticLast updated: 2026-05-28 · Reviewed by ASH Editorial Board

Mechanistic Evidence Box

Preclinical / mechanistic
Page type
Compound profile
Evidence type
Putative hirudin variant from the salivary transcriptome of the African medicinal leech Asiaticobdella fenestrata — Schulz 2025 recombinant characterization in coagulation assays.
Evidence level
In vitro
Drug vs leech
Recombinant (genetically expressed)
Safety domains
Bleeding

Clinical translation limit

Asiaticobdella hirudin-2's in vitro thrombin-inhibition activity does NOT establish clinical efficacy. No FDA-approved derivative exists; A. fenestrata is not on the FDA K040187 cleared device species list.

Molecular Profile

Category
Anticoagulant
Evidence tier
Preclinical
Source species
Asiaticobdella fenestrata
Discovered
2025 · Schulz L et al.
Asiaticobdella Hirudin Variant 2 molecular structure

Biological Targets

  • thrombin (predicted, by hirudin homology)

Key Citations

  1. Schulz L et al. (2025), Parasitol Res · PMID 41198932

External Resources

    Related Anticoagulant Compounds

    This website provides educational information and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Medicinal leech therapy carries clinically meaningful risks and should be performed only by qualified clinicians under institutionally approved protocols. FDA 510(k) clearance for medicinal leeches is limited to specific indications; investigational and off-label discussions are labeled accordingly. For patient-specific guidance, consult a qualified healthcare provider.