Sociedad Americana de Hirudoterapia

Hirudo troctina Hirudins

11 hirudin / HLF paralogs from the North-African medicinal leech — Ahmed 2024 documents highest hirudin gene diversity within the genus Hirudo and three recombination-derived chimeras.

Preclínico / mecanísticoLast updated: 2026-05-27 · Reviewed by ASH Editorial Board
Molecular weight of Hirudo troctina Hirudins 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 troctina Hirudins7 kDa
Molecular weight (kilodaltons) of Hirudo troctina Hirudins (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
11 hirudin / HLF paralogs from the North-African medicinal leech — Ahmed 2024 documents highest hirudin gene diversity within the genus Hirudo and three recombination-derived chimeras.
Evidence level
In vitro
Drug vs leech
Recombinant (genetically expressed)
Safety domains
Bleeding

Clinical translation limit

H. troctina hirudins' in vitro thrombin inhibition does NOT establish clinical efficacy. No FDA-approved derivative exists; H. troctina 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 troctina
Discovered
2024 · Ahmed RB et al.
Hirudo troctina Hirudins molecular structure

Biological Targets

  • thrombin (Factor IIa) — variable potency by isoform

Key Citations

  1. Ahmed RB et al. (2024), Parasitol Res · PMID 39540973

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.