American Society of Hirudotherapy

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Curated knowledge libraryReference collection

Compounds

201

Hirudin

The most potent natural thrombin inhibitor — and the molecular template for three FDA-approved direct thrombin inhibitor drugs.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Calin

Anti-platelet adhesion protein that blocks von Willebrand factor–collagen binding.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Saratin

Anti-platelet adhesion protein blocking collagen-mediated platelet activation.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Destabilase

Lysozyme with isopeptidase activity that dissolves stabilized fibrin clots — including aged thrombi resistant to tPA.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Hirustasin

Serine proteinase inhibitor targeting tissue kallikrein — anti-inflammatory pathway.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Eglin C

Potent inhibitor of human leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G — anti-inflammatory protein widely used as research tool.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Bdellin B3

Kazal-type proteinase inhibitor targeting trypsin and plasmin — modulates inflammatory cascade.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Antistasin

Factor Xa inhibitor — prototype molecule that inspired the entire DOAC drug class (rivaroxaban, apixaban).

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Decorsin

RGD-containing peptide inhibiting platelet GP IIb/IIIa receptor — eptifibatide ancestor.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Ornatin

RGD-peptide GP IIb/IIIa antagonist — sister molecule to decorsin from a different leech species.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Theromacin

Antimicrobial peptide active against Gram-negative bacteria — innate immunity of leech.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Theromyzin

Antimicrobial peptide; structural analogue of mammalian defensin family.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Hementerin

Direct fibrinogenolytic enzyme — degrades fibrinogen independently of plasmin.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Ghilanten

Factor Xa inhibitor with anti-metastatic activity in animal cancer models — translational dual-use compound.

Preclinical / mechanisticPreclinical (animal)

Lefaxin

Factor Xa inhibitor with anti-inflammatory properties.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

LDTI (Leech-Derived Tryptase Inhibitor)

Selective inhibitor of human mast cell tryptase — anti-inflammatory pathway.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Hirudin-PA

Hirudin variant from Hirudinaria manillensis with distinct kinetics.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Hirullin P18

Synthetic hirudin variant with improved oral pharmacokinetics — preclinical anticoagulant.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

LCI (Leech Carboxypeptidase Inhibitor)

Inhibitor of TAFI (thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor) — synergizes with hirudin's anticoagulant action.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Hyaluronidase

Enzyme that degrades hyaluronic acid in extracellular matrix — 'spreading factor' enhancing diffusion of other SGS compounds.

Preclinical / mechanisticMechanistic

Bivalirudin

Synthetic 20-amino-acid hirudin analog — FDA-approved direct thrombin inhibitor for PCI anticoagulation ($636M peak revenue).

Studied off-labelFDA-cleared regulatory context

Lepirudin

First-generation recombinant hirudin — FDA-approved 1998 for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Withdrawn 2012 by Bayer for commercial reasons.

Studied off-labelFDA-cleared regulatory context

Desirudin

Recombinant hirudin variant — FDA-approved 2003 for prophylaxis of DVT after hip replacement surgery.

Studied off-labelFDA-cleared regulatory context

Dabigatran

Oral direct thrombin inhibitor — FDA approved 2010 for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. Conceptual descendant of hirudin pharmacology.

Studied off-labelFDA-cleared regulatory context

Argatroban

Synthetic small-molecule direct thrombin inhibitor — FDA approved 2000 for HIT and PCI. Designed using hirudin structural insights.

Studied off-labelFDA-cleared regulatory context

Rivaroxaban

Oral Factor Xa inhibitor — FDA approved 2011. Conceptual descendant of antistasin/leech FXa research.

Studied off-labelFDA-cleared regulatory context

Apixaban

Oral Factor Xa inhibitor — FDA approved 2012. Part of the DOAC class inspired by leech antistasin discovery.

Studied off-labelFDA-cleared regulatory context

Edoxaban

Oral Factor Xa inhibitor — FDA approved 2015. Latest of the antistasin-inspired DOAC class.

Studied off-labelFDA-cleared regulatory context

Eptifibatide

Cyclic heptapeptide GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist — FDA approved 1998. Structural inspiration: leech decorsin.

Studied off-labelFDA-cleared regulatory context

Hementin

Direct fibrinogenolytic enzyme cleaving fibrinogen alpha-chain at unique sites — independent of plasmin.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Antithrombin III binding protein

Leech-derived inhibitor that potentiates host antithrombin III activity — synergistic anticoagulation.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Guamerin

Selective elastase inhibitor from Korean leech — anti-inflammatory potential in COPD and emphysema research.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Piguamerin

Plasma kallikrein and trypsin inhibitor from Korean leech — anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic research.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Therostasin

Factor Xa inhibitor from Theromyzon tessulatum — Kunitz-domain analog with novel selectivity profile.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Haemadin

Picomolar-affinity thrombin inhibitor from Indian buffalo leech — distinct mechanism from hirudin.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Granulin (leech-derived)

Growth factor and wound-healing modulator — promotes angiogenesis and tissue regeneration.

Preclinical / mechanisticPreclinical (animal)

Macrostomin

Antimicrobial peptide active against Gram-positive bacteria — amphipathic alpha-helix.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Hirunipins

Newly-characterized antimicrobial peptide family (Kumar 2025) — candidate next-generation antibiotics against AMR pathogens.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Bdellastasin

Trypsin and plasmin inhibitor; closely related to bdellins — anti-fibrinolytic modulation.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Tridegin

Factor XIIIa inhibitor — blocks fibrin cross-linking; novel mechanism distinct from hirudin.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Ixodegrin (leech homolog)

Platelet GP IIb/IIIa antagonist family member — RGD-motif containing.

Preclinical / mechanisticMechanistic

Leech C1 Inhibitor (LCi)

Complement system modulator targeting C1q activation — immunological homeostasis.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Leech Kallikrein Inhibitor

Plasma kallikrein-kinin system modulator — anti-inflammatory pathway distinct from cyclooxygenase.

Preclinical / mechanisticMechanistic

Leech Nitric Oxide Synthase Modulator

Modulates host NOS activity at bite site — contributes to vasodilation phase of feeding.

Preclinical / mechanisticMechanistic

Leech Histamine-like Vasodilator

Histamine-receptor-acting compound — contributes to local vasodilation at feeding site.

Preclinical / mechanisticMechanistic

Leech Acetylcholine

Cholinergic vasodilator contributing to feeding-site vascular dilation.

Preclinical / mechanisticMechanistic

Bdellin A

Trypsin-plasmin inhibitor of Kazal-type family — sister to Bdellin B3.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Bdellin B1

Plasmin inhibitor of Kazal-type family — anti-fibrinolytic.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Destabilase Isopeptidase Activity

Isopeptidase domain of destabilase that cleaves cross-linked fibrin — distinct from lysozyme domain.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Destabilase Lysozyme Activity

Lysozyme domain of destabilase — antimicrobial activity against peptidoglycan-containing bacteria.

Preclinical / mechanisticIn vitro

Showing first 50 of 201. Refine filters to narrow results.

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.

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