American Society of Hirudotherapy

Hni-Ghilanten

Novel ghilanten family anticoagulant in the Hirudo nipponia salivary-gland transcriptome — Kim 2024 spatial expression mapping.

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

Mechanistic Evidence Box

Preclinical / mechanistic
Page type
Compound profile
Evidence type
Novel ghilanten family anticoagulant in the Hirudo nipponia salivary-gland transcriptome — Kim 2024 spatial expression mapping.
Evidence level
Mechanistic discussion
Drug vs leech
Purified natural compound
Safety domains
Bleeding

Clinical translation limit

Hni-Ghilanten's transcript-level identification does NOT establish functional or clinical efficacy. No recombinant protein activity yet, no FDA-approved derivative; H. nipponia is not on the FDA K040187 cleared device species list.

Molecular Profile

Category
Anticoagulant
Evidence tier
Preclinical
Source species
Hirudo nipponia
Discovered
2024 · Kim JH et al.
Hni-Ghilanten molecular structure

Biological Targets

  • coagulation Factor Xa (predicted by ghilanten family homology)

Key Citations

  1. Kim JH et al. (2024), Dev Comp Immunol · PMID 38158145

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.