Sociedad Americana de Hirudoterapia

Gnathobdellin

Salivary protein family from Asian medicinal leeches Hirudo nipponia and Hirudo japonica — putative anticoagulant.

Preclínico / mecanísticoLast updated: 2026-05-26 · Reviewed by ASH Editorial Board
Molecular weight of Gnathobdellin compared with other characterized leech-derived compoundsHementerin80 kDaHementin80 kDaHementin-Like Protein (HLP-1)80 kDaLeech Collagenase70 kDaHaemadipsa yanyuanensis Progr…70 kDaLeech Apyrase67 kDaCalin65 kDaHyaluronidase60 kDaAntithrombin III binding prot…58 kDaCollagenolytic Fibrinolysin55 kDaLeech Thrombospondin-Like Pro…50 kDaGnathobdellin10 kDa
Molecular weight (kilodaltons) of Gnathobdellin (highlighted) alongside other characterized leech salivary compounds. Smaller proteins/peptides generally diffuse and act faster.

Mechanistic Evidence Box

Preclinical / mechanistic
Page type
Compound profile
Evidence type
Salivary protein family from Asian medicinal leeches Hirudo nipponia and Hirudo japonica — putative anticoagulant.
Evidence level
In vitro
Drug vs leech
Purified natural compound
Safety domains
Bleeding

Clinical translation limit

Gnathobdellin is documented at the transcriptomic/sequence level only. No FDA-approved derivative exists, and clinical efficacy is not established.

Molecular Profile

Category
Anticoagulant
Evidence tier
Preclinical
Molecular weight
10,000 Da
Source species
Hirudo nipponia / Hirudo japonica
Discovered
2020
Gnathobdellin molecular structure

Biological Targets

  • coagulation cascade (mechanism under characterization)

Key Citations

  1. Lu Z et al. (2018), PLoS One · PMID 30339694

External Resources

    Related Anticoagulant Compounds

    Este sitio web proporciona información educativa y no constituye consejo médico, diagnóstico ni recomendaciones de tratamiento. La terapia con sanguijuelas medicinales conlleva riesgos clínicamente significativos y debe ser realizada únicamente por profesionales calificados bajo protocolos aprobados institucionalmente. La autorización 510(k) de la FDA para sanguijuelas medicinales se limita a indicaciones específicas; las discusiones sobre uso investigativo y fuera de indicación se señalan correspondientemente. Para orientación médica específica, consulte a un profesional de salud calificado.