American Society of Hirudotherapy

Transcriptomic analysis of the salivary gland of medicinal leech Hirudo nipponia

Omics article published in PLoS ONE (2018)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Preclinical (animal)Genomics & ProteomicsSalivary PharmacologyLu Z, Shi P, You H, Liu Y, Chen S · PLoS one, 2018

Abstract

Hirudo nipponia (known as Shui Zhi in Chinese) is a well-known Chinese medicine with numerous active ingredients in its body, especially in its saliva. This native Chinese blood-sucking leech has been used for therapeutic purposes since before 100 AD. Modern Chinese physicians use it for a wide range of diseases. Genomic data and molecular information about the pharmacologically active substances produced by this medicinal leech are presently unavailable despite this organism's medicinal importance. In this study, we performed transcriptome profiling of the salivary glands of medicinal leech H. nipponia using the Illumina platform. In total, 84,657,362 clean reads were assembled into 50,535 unigenes. The obtained unigenes were compared to public databases. Furthermore, a unigene sequence similarity search and comparisons with the whole transcriptome of medical leech were performed to identify potential proteins. Finally, more than 21 genes were predicted to be involved in anticoagulatory, antithrombotic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antitumor processes, which might play important roles in the treatment of various diseases. This study is the first analysis of a sialotranscriptome in H. nipponia. The transcriptome profile will shed light on its genetic background and provide a useful tool to deepen our understanding of the medical value of H. nipponia.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Indexed MeSH termsAnimalsAnti-Bacterial AgentsAnticoagulantsAntineoplastic AgentsChinaDNA, ComplementaryGene Expression ProfilingGene LibraryGenomicsHirudo medicinalisMedicine, Chinese TraditionalPhylogeny

Summary

Illumina transcriptomic profiling of Hirudo nipponia salivary glands yielded 50,535 unigenes, predicting more than 21 genes involved in anticoagulatory, antithrombotic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor processes.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This study performed the first sialotranscriptome analysis of the salivary glands of Hirudo nipponia using the Illumina platform, assembling over 50,000 unigenes and identifying more than 21 genes predicted to be involved in anticoagulatory, antithrombotic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor processes. For ASH's domain, this is highly relevant as it provides foundational molecular data on the pharmacologically active components of a medicinal leech species used in Chinese traditional medicine since before 100 AD. The transcriptomic profile deepens understanding of H. nipponia's medical value and may guide future characterization of its secretome. However, the findings are predictive and based on sequence homology searches rather than functional validation, so the identified genes' actual biological roles remain to be confirmed experimentally.

Citation

Transcriptomic analysis of the salivary gland of medicinal leech Hirudo nipponia.

Lu Z, Shi P, You H, Liu Y, Chen S · PLoS one, 2018

DOI

Added to ASH library: May 26, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026

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.