American Society of Hirudotherapy

Arterial antithrombotic effect of piyavit, the novel pharmacological preparation from the medicinal leech, and of its components, prostanoids and enzyme destabilase

Pharmacology article published in Thrombosis Research (1995)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Preclinical (animal)Salivary PharmacologyDrug DevelopmentBaskova IP, Aguejouf OM, Azougagh-Oualane F, Zavalova LL, Basanova AV, Doutremepuich C · Thrombosis research, 1995

Abstract

Piyavit, the novel pharmacological preparation from the medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis) contained the leech saliva, produces the potent arterial antithrombotic effect examined on experimental of Laser Induced Thrombus formation. Administrated orally into rats or injected subcutaneously as water extract, non-diluted or in 1600 times diluted, it inhibits statistically significant comparing with control platelet thrombus stimulated by laser beams. Its components, prostanoid fraction and purified enzyme destabilase, endo-epsilon-(gamma-Glu)-Lys-isopeptidase, also inhibit thrombus formation in statistically different manner, comparing with control. All the tested preparations inhibit platelet aggregation induced by ADP. The dependence of arterial antithrombotic effect on the leech prostanoid is discussed.

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

Publication typeJournal Article
Indexed MeSH termsAdministration, OralAnimalsArteriesBiological FactorsDisease Models, AnimalEndopeptidasesFibrinFibrinolytic AgentsInjections, IntravenousInjections, SubcutaneousLasersLeechesMalePlatelet Aggregation InhibitorsProstaglandinsRatsRats, WistarThrombosis

Summary

Oral or subcutaneous piyavit, a leech-saliva-derived pharmacological preparation from Hirudo medicinalis, and its prostanoid fraction and purified destabilase components each significantly inhibited laser-induced arterial thrombosis in rats compared with control.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This study evaluated the arterial antithrombotic effect of piyavit, a pharmacological preparation from the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis containing leech saliva components, using a laser-induced thrombosis model in rats. Piyavit was administered orally or subcutaneously (as a water extract, diluted or undiluted), and its components — a prostanoid fraction and purified destabilase — were also tested; all preparations significantly inhibited platelet thrombus formation and ADP-induced platelet aggregation compared to controls. The work examines leech-derived bioactive substances with antithrombotic properties. The study is limited to an animal thrombosis model, and the abstract does not provide human clinical data, detailed dosing, safety outcomes, or comparative efficacy data, and does not involve live hirudotherapy.

Citation

Reference (Vancouver style)

Baskova IP, Aguejouf OM, Azougagh-Oualane F, Zavalova LL, Basanova AV, Doutremepuich C. Arterial antithrombotic effect of piyavit, the novel pharmacological preparation from the medicinal leech, and of its components, prostanoids and enzyme destabilase. Thromb Res. 1995;77(6):483-492. doi:10.1016/0049-3848(95)00024-0. PMID: 7624836

Bibliographic details (authors, volume, pages, DOI) are taken from the PubMed record.

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