Chinese Medicinal Leech: Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities
Research article published in Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine (2016)
Abstract
Hirudo (Shuizhi in Chinese) is an important Chinese medicine, which possesses many therapeutic properties for the treatment of the cerebral hemorrhage and other thrombosis-related diseases. The phytochemical investigation gave more than 51 compounds including pteridines, phosphatidylcholines, glycosphingolipids, and sterols, as well as some bioactive peptides from the Shuizhi derived from three animal species recorded in the current Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The pharmacological studies on the Shuizhi have revealed various activities such as anticoagulation, antithrombosis, antiatherosclerosis, antiplatelet aggregation, antitumor and anti-inflammatory as well as hemorheology improvement, and protective effects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, some important issues based on the traditional uses of Shuizhi are still not clear. The aim of the present review is to provide comprehensive knowledge on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of Shuizhi. It will provide a potential guidance in exploring main active compounds of Shuizhi and interpreting the action mechanism for the further research.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Chinese Medicinal Leech: Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This review covers the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of Hirudo (Shuizhi) as recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, derived from three animal species. The abstract reports identification of more than 51 compounds (pteridines, phosphatidylcholines, glycosphingolipids, sterols, and bioactive peptides) and pharmacological activities including anticoagulation, antithrombosis, antiatherosclerosis, antiplatelet aggregation, antitumor, anti-inflammatory effects, hemorheology improvement, and protection against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. This is relevant to ASH as it surveys bioactive constituents of a medicinal leech and their reported therapeutic mechanisms. Caveat: it is a review summarizing prior literature and notes that important issues around traditional uses remain unresolved.
Citation
Chinese Medicinal Leech: Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities
Dong H et al. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine, 2016
Added to ASH library: May 27, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026