Development of a mitochondrial mini-barcode and its application in metabarcoding for identification of leech in traditional Chinese medicine
Methodology paper published in Scientific Reports (2025)
Abstract
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the medicinal leech is vital for treatments to promote blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis. However, the prevalence of counterfeit leech products in the market undermines the quality and efficacy of these remedies. Traditional DNA barcoding techniques, such as the COI barcode, have been limited in their application due to amplification challenges. This study identified high variability in the 16 S rRNA gene within the mitochondrial genome across five leech species, leading to the development of a novel 219 bp mini-barcode. Compared with the traditional COI barcode, our mini-barcode showed remarkable identification efficiency, classifying 142 out of 147 leech samples from fresh and processed materials. In contrast, the COI barcode could only successfully identify 79 out of the 147 samples. In the case of seven batches of leech decoction pieces, the mini-barcode identified six, whereas the COI barcode only recognized one. Additionally, the mini-barcode effectively discerned five leech species within Chinese patent medicines when combined with metabarcoding technology. These results confirm the mini-barcode's potential as a reliable tool for rapidly and precisely identifying leech species in TCM products.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Novel 219 bp mitochondrial 16S rRNA mini-barcode identified 142 of 147 leech samples from fresh, processed, and decoction-piece materials, vs only 79 with the conventional COI barcode — useful for combating counterfeit TCM leech products.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This study developed a novel 219 bp mitochondrial mini-barcode from the 16S rRNA gene to identify leech species in Traditional Chinese Medicine products, where counterfeit leech materials undermine quality and efficacy. The mini-barcode successfully classified 142 of 147 leech samples from fresh and processed materials and identified six of seven batches of leech decoction pieces, substantially outperforming the traditional COI barcode (79/147 samples). For ASH's domain, this tool has indirect relevance for quality control and authentication of leech-derived medicinal products, addressing a practical concern in the supply chain. However, the study is purely methodological—focused on molecular identification technology rather than therapeutic efficacy, clinical outcomes, or the biological activity of leech secretions—and does not evaluate hirudotherapy itself.
Citation
Development of a mitochondrial mini-barcode and its application in metabarcoding for identification of leech in traditional Chinese medicine.
Shi C et al. · Scientific Reports, 2025
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