Pharmacology of hirudin: one hundred years after the first report of the anticoagulant agent in medicinal leeches
Historical pharmacology published in Biomed Biochim Acta (1985)
Abstract
One hundred years after its discovery hirudin, the selective thrombin inhibitor from medicinal leeches, has been brought into the focus of interest again. Advanced methods of peptide isolation and gene technology are expected to provide the opportunity to obtain pure hirudin in sufficient yield for therapeutic uses. Therefore, the present state of knowledge of this naturally occurring anticoagulant is reported.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Markwardt's centennial review of hirudin pharmacology covering its discovery in 1884, isolation in the late 1950s, and the renewed therapeutic interest enabled by gene technology.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This historical article reviews the pharmacology of hirudin — the selective thrombin inhibitor originally discovered in medicinal leeches — approximately one hundred years after its first reported identification as an anticoagulant agent. The abstract notes that advanced peptide isolation and gene technology methods are expected to enable production of pure hirudin in sufficient yield for therapeutic uses, and that the article reports the state of knowledge of this naturally occurring anticoagulant. This is directly relevant to the ASH domain as it addresses the foundational bioactive compound of hirudotherapy and evolving production technology. Caveat: This is a historical/review article providing no new experimental data, specific findings, or quantitative results, and the knowledge described reflects its era of publication.
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026