Characterization and antioxidant activities of glycosaminoglycans from dried leech
Biochemistry published in Glycoconj J (2023)
Abstract
Dried leech (Whitmania pigra whitman) has been widely used as a traditional animal-based Chinese medicine. Dried leech extracts have been reported to have various biological activities that are often associated with mammalian glycosaminoglycans. However, their presence and possible structural characteristics within dried leech were previously unknown. In this study, glycosaminoglycans were isolated from dried leech for the first time and their structures were analyzed by the combination of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, liquid chromatography-ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate were detected in dried leech with varied disaccharide compositions and possess a heterogeneous structure. Heparan sulfate species possess an equal amount of total 2-O-sulfated, N-sulfated and acetylated disaccharides, while chondroitin sulfate /dermatan sulfate contain high content of 4-O-sulfated disaccharides. Also, the quantitative analysis revealed that the contents of heparan sulfate and chondroitin/dermatan sulfate in dried leech varied significantly, with chondroitin/dermatan sulfate being by far the most abundant. This novel structural information could help clarify the possible involvement of these polysaccharides in the biological activities of the dried leech. Furthermore, leech glycosaminoglycans showed a strong ABTS radical scavenging ability, which suggests the potential of leech polysaccharides for exploitation in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
First identification of glycosaminoglycans (heparan sulfate and chondroitin/dermatan sulfate) in dried Whitmania pigra leech extracts. Demonstrated strong ABTS radical scavenging activity, supporting nutraceutical potential.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This study characterized the structural properties and antioxidant activities of glycosaminoglycans isolated from dried leech (*Whitmania pigra*). Researchers identified specific heparan sulfate and chondroitin/dermatan sulfate structures within the dried tissue, noting that chondroitin/dermatan sulfate was the most abundant component. Additionally, these polysaccharides exhibited a strong ABTS radical scavenging ability, which the authors suggest indicates potential for future exploitation in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. However, because the research analyzes chemical extracts from dried tissue rather than the live secretions associated with hirudotherapy, its practical relevance to clinical leech therapy is limited and human health outcomes are not established.
Citación
Characterization and antioxidant activities of glycosaminoglycans from dried leech.
Shen T et al. · Glycoconjugate journal, 2023
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 26, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026