Chinese Medicinal Leech: Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities
Research article published in Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine (2016)
Abstract
Hirudo (Shuizhi in Chinese) is an important Chinese medicine, which possesses many therapeutic properties for the treatment of the cerebral hemorrhage and other thrombosis-related diseases. The phytochemical investigation gave more than 51 compounds including pteridines, phosphatidylcholines, glycosphingolipids, and sterols, as well as some bioactive peptides from the Shuizhi derived from three animal species recorded in the current Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The pharmacological studies on the Shuizhi have revealed various activities such as anticoagulation, antithrombosis, antiatherosclerosis, antiplatelet aggregation, antitumor and anti-inflammatory as well as hemorheology improvement, and protective effects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, some important issues based on the traditional uses of Shuizhi are still not clear. The aim of the present review is to provide comprehensive knowledge on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of Shuizhi. It will provide a potential guidance in exploring main active compounds of Shuizhi and interpreting the action mechanism for the further research.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Chinese Medicinal Leech: Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Esta revisión aborda la etnofarmacología, fitoquímica y actividades farmacológicas de Hirudo (Shuizhi) según lo registrado en la Farmacopea China, derivada de tres especies animales. El resumen informa de la identificación de más de 51 compuestos (pteridinas, fosfatidilcolinas, glucoesfingolípidos, esteroles y péptidos bioactivos) y de actividades farmacológicas que incluyen anticoagulación, antitrombosis, antiaterosclerosis, inhibición de la agregación plaquetaria, efectos antitumorales y antiinflamatorios, mejoría de la hemorreología y protección frente a la lesión por isquemia-reperfusión cerebral. Esto es pertinente para ASH, ya que pasa revista a los constituyentes bioactivos de una sanguijuela medicinal y sus mecanismos terapéuticos reportados. Advertencia: se trata de una revisión que sintetiza literatura previa y señala que cuestiones relevantes en torno a los usos tradicionales permanecen sin resolver.
Citación
Chinese Medicinal Leech: Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities
Dong H et al. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine, 2016
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026