Leech Pancreatic-Type Trypsin Inhibitor
Leech homolog of pancreatic (Kunitz-type) trypsin inhibitor — broad serine protease inhibition.
Preclinical / mechanisticLast updated: 2026-05-26 · Reviewed by ASH Editorial Board
Mechanistic Evidence Box
Preclinical / mechanistic- Page type
- Compound profile
- Evidence type
- Leech homolog of pancreatic (Kunitz-type) trypsin inhibitor — broad serine protease inhibition.
- Evidence level
- In vitro
- Drug vs leech
- Purified natural compound
Clinical translation limit
Leech pancreatic-type trypsin inhibitor is documented mechanistically only; no human evidence. In vitro inhibition of serine proteases does NOT establish clinical efficacy, and no FDA-approved derivative from this leech homolog exists.
Molecular Profile
- Category
- Proteinase Inhibitor
- Evidence tier
- Preclinical
- Molecular weight
- 6,500 Da
- Source species
- Hirudo medicinalis
- Discovered
- 2011
Biological Targets
- → trypsin
- → chymotrypsin
- → plasmin
Key Citations
- Liu Z et al. (2019), Parasit Vectors
External Resources
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Eglin C
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Bdellin B3
Kazal-type proteinase inhibitor targeting trypsin and plasmin — modulates inflammatory cascade.
LDTI (Leech-Derived Tryptase Inhibitor)
Selective inhibitor of human mast cell tryptase — anti-inflammatory pathway.