Sociedad Americana de Hirudoterapia

Poecistasin

48-aa antistasin-type single-domain serine protease inhibitor from Poecilobdella manillensis — anticoagulant + anti-ischemic-stroke preclinical activity (Tang 2018).

Preclínico / mecanísticoLast updated: 2026-05-27 · Reviewed by ASH Editorial Board
Molecular weight of Poecistasin 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 kDaPoecistasin5.3 kDa
Molecular weight (kilodaltons) of Poecistasin (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
48-aa antistasin-type single-domain serine protease inhibitor from Poecilobdella manillensis — anticoagulant + anti-ischemic-stroke preclinical activity (Tang 2018).
Evidence level
Preclinical (animal)
Drug vs leech
Purified natural compound
Safety domains
Bleeding

Clinical translation limit

Poecistasin's preclinical anticoagulant + ischemic stroke benefits do NOT establish clinical efficacy in humans. No FDA-approved derivative exists; P. manillensis is not the FDA-cleared K040187 medicinal leech species.

Molecular Profile

Category
Proteinase Inhibitor
Evidence tier
Preclinical
Molecular weight
5,300 Da
Source species
Poecilobdella manillensis
Discovered
2018 · Tang X et al.
Poecistasin molecular structure

Biological Targets

  • factor XIIa
  • kallikrein
  • trypsin
  • elastase

Key Citations

  1. Tang X et al. (2018), Toxins (Basel) · PMID 30373118

External Resources

    Related Proteinase Inhibitor Compounds

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