A systematic overview of the medicinal importance of sanguivorous leeches

Leeches are a class of segmented invertebrates, known for their blood-feeding habits and used in phlebotomy to treat various ailments since antiquity. In Europe, medicinal leeches have recently been rediscovered and are used by maxillofacial and other microsurgeons to aid salvage of compromised venous engorged tissue and amputations, such as digits, ears, and nasal tips. Because of their important salivary components, blood-sucking (sanguivorous) leeches, such as Hirudo medicinalis and related species, have engendered great interest from pharmaceutical companies searching for anticoagulants to prevent blood clotting during microsurgeries. Scientific research reveals that the beneficial effects of leeching, in addition to decongestion, include injection of a cocktail of several medicinally useful bioactive molecules present in their saliva. Owing to its therapeutic potential, the research is continuing as many new salivary compounds are being isolated and synthesized.

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

This overview describes the revival of medicinal leeches, notably Hirudo medicinalis, for salvaging venously engorged tissue and amputated parts, and the anticoagulant and bioactive salivary molecules that drive pharmaceutical interest.

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