Research progress on processing history evolution, chemical constituents, and pharmacological effects of Hirudo
Research article published in Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi (2022)
Abstract
As a traditional animal drug, Hirudo is slightly toxic and has the effects of breaking blood stasis, dredging meridians, expelling stasis, and resolving mass. It has a long history of processing, and the early boiling records can be traced back to the Han Dynasty. More than ten processing methods such as frying, roasting, and lime processing appeared later. After processing, Hirudo is deodorized and modified in taste and becomes crispy, which is conducive to crushing and clinical application. At present, the reported components in Hirudo mainly include protein polypeptides, pteridines, and lipids, which have anti-coagulant, anti-thrombotic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-tumor, and other pharmacological effects. This study reviewed the processing history evolution, chemical consti-tuents, and pharmacological effects of Hirudo to provide a reference for the related research on Hirudo.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Research progress on processing history evolution, chemical constituents, and pharmacological effects of Hirudo.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This article reviews the processing history, chemical constituents, and pharmacological effects of Hirudo as a traditional animal drug. It traces early boiling records to the Han Dynasty, with frying, roasting, and lime processing appearing later, and notes that processing deodorizes and modifies Hirudo for clinical use. It reports that main constituents—protein polypeptides, pteridines, and lipids—exert anticoagulant, antithrombotic, anti-atherosclerotic, and antitumor effects. The topic is relevant to ASH given its focus on leech-derived bioactive compounds and anticoagulant pharmacology. Caveat: the publication type is an English abstract of a journal article, and it is a review rather than original experimental data.
Citation
Research progress on processing history evolution, chemical constituents, and pharmacological effects of Hirudo
Jiang Q et al. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi, 2022
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