Sociedad Americana de Hirudoterapia

Hirudo nipponia Hirudin

Salivary-gland hirudin variant from H. nipponia (Shi 2023) — recombinant Pichia pastoris expression with documented antithrombin activity (14,000 ATU/mL).

Preclínico / mecanísticoLast updated: 2026-05-27 · Reviewed by ASH Editorial Board
Molecular weight of Hirudo nipponia Hirudin 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 kDaHirudo nipponia Hirudin7 kDa
Molecular weight (kilodaltons) of Hirudo nipponia Hirudin (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-gland hirudin variant from H. nipponia (Shi 2023) — recombinant Pichia pastoris expression with documented antithrombin activity (14,000 ATU/mL).
Evidence level
In vitro
Drug vs leech
Recombinant (genetically expressed)
Safety domains
Bleeding

Clinical translation limit

H. nipponia hirudin's in vitro antithrombin activity does NOT establish clinical efficacy. No FDA-approved H. nipponia hirudin derivative exists; H. nipponia is not the FDA-cleared K040187 medicinal leech species (H. medicinalis / H. verbana).

Molecular Profile

Category
Anticoagulant
Evidence tier
Preclinical
Molecular weight
7,000 Da
Source species
Hirudo nipponia
Discovered
2023 · Shi P et al.
Hirudo nipponia Hirudin molecular structure

Biological Targets

  • thrombin (Factor IIa)

Key Citations

  1. Shi P et al. (2023), Sci Rep · PMID 36973525

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.