American Society of Hirudotherapy

The neurite-stimulating influence of components of medicinal leech salivary gland secretions in organotypic culture of spinal ganglia

Basic science published in Neurosci Behav Physiol (2003)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Observational studySalivary PharmacologyDrug DevelopmentChalisova NI et al. · Neuroscience and behavioral physiology, 2003

Abstract

The effects of components from medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis) salivary gland secretions and the therapeutic agent Piyavit on the growth of chick embryo neurites in organotypic culture were studied. Native destabilase and bdellin A at concentrations of 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, and 0.1 ng/ml, bdellin B at a concentration of 0.05 ng/ml, and eglin at a concentration of 0.1 ng/ml had neurite-stimulating activity, evident on the third day of organotypic culture of spinal ganglia. The stimulatory activity of destabilase was lost after revere-phase chromatography. The neurite-stimulating activity of the extract of the therapeutic agent Piyavit (200 ng/ml) in organotypic ganglion culture appeared to result from the neurite-stimulating salivary gland components within this agent, suggesting that Piyavit could be used for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

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

Publication typeComparative StudyJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Indexed MeSH termsAnimalsBiological FactorsChick EmbryoDose-Response Relationship, DrugEndopeptidasesFibrinolytic AgentsGanglia, SpinalLeechesNeuritesOrgan Culture TechniquesOrganic ChemicalsProtease Inhibitors

Summary

Native destabilase, bdellin A/B, and eglin produce concentration-dependent neurite stimulation in chick embryo spinal ganglia.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This study examined the effects of individual Hirudo medicinalis salivary gland secretion components—destabilase, bdellin A, bdellin B, and eglin—as well as the therapeutic agent Piyavit, on neurite growth in organotypic cultures of chick embryo spinal ganglia. Several components showed neurite-stimulating activity at very low concentrations (0.01–0.1 ng/ml), and Piyavit's activity at 200 ng/ml was attributed to its salivary gland components, suggesting potential use in neurodegenerative disorders. This is directly relevant to ASH's domain, as it identifies specific leech secretome proteins with neurotrophic properties. However, this is a preclinical organotypic culture study using chick embryo tissue; no in vivo or clinical data are presented, and the neurodegenerative disease suggestion remains speculative and untested.

Citation

The neurite-stimulating influence of components of medicinal leech salivary gland secretions in organotypic culture of spinal ganglia.

Chalisova NI et al. · Neuroscience and behavioral physiology, 2003

DOI

Added to ASH library: May 27, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026

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