Sociedad Americana de Hirudoterapia

Leech Hirudo Lectin

Carbohydrate-binding lectin reported in Hirudo medicinalis salivary glands — putative agglutinin / immune modulator.

Preclínico / mecanísticoLast updated: 2026-05-26 · Reviewed by ASH Editorial Board
Molecular weight of Leech Hirudo Lectin 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 kDaLeech Hirudo Lectin30 kDa
Molecular weight (kilodaltons) of Leech Hirudo Lectin (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
Carbohydrate-binding lectin reported in Hirudo medicinalis salivary glands — putative agglutinin / immune modulator.
Evidence level
Mechanistic discussion
Drug vs leech
Purified natural compound

Clinical translation limit

This lectin is documented mechanistically only. Hypothesized roles in pathogen agglutination or host-immune modulation are NOT clinically validated. No FDA-approved derivative exists.

Molecular Profile

Category
Other
Evidence tier
Preclinical
Molecular weight
30,000 Da
Source species
Hirudo medicinalis
Discovered
2018
Leech Hirudo Lectin molecular structure

Biological Targets

  • → carbohydrate ligands on bacterial / host surfaces

External Resources

    Related Other Compounds

    Granulin (leech-derived)

    Growth factor and wound-healing modulator — promotes angiogenesis and tissue regeneration.

    Leech VEGF Modulator

    Vascular endothelial growth factor pathway modulator — angiogenic and wound-healing implications.

    Leech PDGF Modulator

    Platelet-derived growth factor pathway modulator — implications for wound-healing.

    Leech Granulin-A

    Granulin-family peptide identified in Hirudo medicinalis — putative growth-factor / wound-healing analog (mechanistic only).

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