A novel selective inhibitor to thrombin-induced platelet aggregation purified from the leech Whitmania pigra
Research article published in Biochem Biophys Res Commun (2016)
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: The dried whole body of the leech Whitmania pigra, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used to treat thrombus diseases for thousands of years. However, its bioactive constituents were reported rarely. The aim of our study was to investigate antithrombotic components of it. METHODS: The antithrombotic peptide was purified using a combination of anion-exchange chromatography, ultrafiltration and reverse-phase HPLC. the sequence of the peptide was determined using MALDI-TOF-MS-MS. Anti-platelet aggregation activity in vitro was evaluated using a turbidimetric method, and antithrombotic effect in vivo was assessed in an arterio-venous shunt thrombosis model in rats. RESULTS: A novel antithrombotic peptide named WP-30, with the sequence VISRTQSNVQAAWGQVGGHAADYSAVAIER, was isolated from the dried whole body of the leech W. pigra. WP-30 selectively inhibited thrombin-induced anti-platelet aggregation in vitro, and potently attenuated thrombus formation in rats in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, we found a novel peptide from leech bodies, and this peptide showed antiplatelet aggregation and antithrombotic effects.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
The dried whole body of the leech Whitmania pigra, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used to treat thrombus diseases for thousands of years.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio aisló y caracterizó un nuevo péptido antitrombótico, WP-30 (secuencia VISRTQSNVQAAWGQVGGHAADYSAVAIER), a partir del cuerpo entero desecado de la sanguijuela Whitmania pigra, un medicamento tradicional chino empleado en enfermedades trombóticas. Purificado mediante cromatografía de intercambio aniónico, ultrafiltración y HPLC en fase reversa, el péptido inhibió selectivamente la agregación plaquetaria inducida por trombina in vitro y atenuó la formación de trombos en un modelo de derivación arteriovenosa en rata. Esto es directamente relevante para el ámbito de la ASH, al identificar un constituyente bioactivo antitrombótico procedente de una especie de sanguijuela. ADVERTENCIA: los hallazgos son preclínicos, limitados a ensayos antiplaquetarios in vitro y a un modelo in vivo de trombosis en rata; no se presentan datos en humanos, no hay aplicación de hirudoterapia y no se ofrece comparación con otras especies de sanguijuelas en el resumen.
Citación
A novel selective inhibitor to thrombin-induced platelet aggregation purified from the leech Whitmania pigra.
Liu X et al. · Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2016
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026