Purification and characterization of an anticoagulant oligopeptide from Whitmania pigra Whitman
Biochemistry/pharmacology published in Pharmacogn Mag (2015)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dried Whitmania pigra is used for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in traditional Chinese medicine and hot water and alcohol extracts also have anticogulant activity. However, a lower molecular weight and more stable anticogulant is needed. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the following study is to purify and characterize of an anticoagulant oligopeptide from Hirudo (Whitmania pigra Whitman). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gel filtration on Sephadex G-50, ion exchange on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose, and semi-prepared high-performance liquid chromatography were used to purify Hirudo. Automated coagulation analyzer was used for evaluating anticoagulant activity. Molecular weight was measured by Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Amino acid sequence of the oligopeptide was measured by amino acid sequence analyzer. RESULTS: A new anticoagulant, named whitide, isolated from Hirudo was purified, with a molecular weight 1997.1 Da. Amino acid sequence of the oligopeptide was identified as Gly-Pro-ALa-Gly-Hyp-Val-Gly-Ala-Hyp-Gly-Gly-Hyp-Gly-Val-Arg-Gly-Leu-Hyp-Gly-Asp-Arg-Gly. The results revealed that its amino acid sequence had strong homology to various types of collagen. CONCLUSION: Whitide might be an orally anticoagulant for its hot and trypsin stable.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Novel anticoagulant oligopeptide 'whitide' (~2 kDa, 22 residues, collagen-homologous) purified from Whitmania pigra. Stable to heat and trypsin, suggesting potential as an orally bioavailable anticoagulant.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Esta investigación purificó y caracterizó un nuevo oligopéptido anticoagulante denominado whitide a partir de la sanguijuela de la medicina tradicional china Whitmania pigra. El estudio identificó su secuencia de aminoácidos, demostró su estabilidad frente al calor y la tripsina, y sugirió su potencial como anticoagulante oral basado en estas propiedades estructurales. Para la American Society of Hirudotherapy, esto contribuye al perfil farmacológico más amplio de las moléculas derivadas de sanguijuelas y sus mecanismos de acción. Sin embargo, es importante señalar que se trata de un estudio bioquímico puramente fundamental, sin modelos animales incluidos, datos clínicos ni aplicación directa a la terapia con sanguijuelas vivas.
Citación
Purification and characterization of an anticoagulant oligopeptide from Whitmania pigra Whitman.
Zheng X et al. · Pharmacognosy magazine, 2015
Contexto clínico relacionado
Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica
Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 26, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026