Sociedad Americana de Hirudoterapia

WP-EAGSAKELEGDPVAG

Whitmania pigra-derived 15-residue anti-atherosclerosis peptide — Hu 2020 demonstrates inhibition of macrophage migration via JNK + p38 MAPK pathways.

Preclínico / mecanísticoLast updated: 2026-05-27 · Reviewed by ASH Editorial Board
Molecular weight of WP-EAGSAKELEGDPVAG 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 kDaWP-EAGSAKELEGDPVAG1.5 kDa
Molecular weight (kilodaltons) of WP-EAGSAKELEGDPVAG (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
Whitmania pigra-derived 15-residue anti-atherosclerosis peptide — Hu 2020 demonstrates inhibition of macrophage migration via JNK + p38 MAPK pathways.
Evidence level
In vitro
Drug vs leech
Purified natural compound

Clinical translation limit

WP-EAGSAKELEGDPVAG's in vitro macrophage anti-migration activity does NOT establish clinical anti-atherosclerosis efficacy. No FDA-approved derivative exists; W. pigra is a non-hematophagous TCM leech, not the FDA-cleared K040187 medicinal leech.

Molecular Profile

Category
Anti-inflammatory
Evidence tier
Preclinical
Molecular weight
1,480 Da
Source species
Whitmania pigra
Discovered
2020 · Hu B et al.
WP-EAGSAKELEGDPVAG molecular structure

Biological Targets

  • macrophage migration
  • JNK pathway
  • p38 MAPK pathway
  • MEKK4 / ASK2 signaling

Key Citations

  1. Hu B et al. (2020), J Ethnopharmacol · PMID 32119950

External Resources

    Related Anti-inflammatory 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.