A systematic overview of the medicinal importance of sanguivorous leeches
Research article published in Alternative medicine review (2011)
Abstract
Leeches are a class of segmented invertebrates, known for their blood-feeding habits and used in phlebotomy to treat various ailments since antiquity. In Europe, medicinal leeches have recently been rediscovered and are used by maxillofacial and other microsurgeons to aid salvage of compromised venous engorged tissue and amputations, such as digits, ears, and nasal tips. Because of their important salivary components, blood-sucking (sanguivorous) leeches, such as Hirudo medicinalis and related species, have engendered great interest from pharmaceutical companies searching for anticoagulants to prevent blood clotting during microsurgeries. Scientific research reveals that the beneficial effects of leeching, in addition to decongestion, include injection of a cocktail of several medicinally useful bioactive molecules present in their saliva. Owing to its therapeutic potential, the research is continuing as many new salivary compounds are being isolated and synthesized.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
A systematic overview of the medicinal importance of sanguivorous leeches.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Esta revisión resume la importancia medicinal histórica y moderna de las sanguijuelas hematófagas, centrándose en Hirudo medicinalis y especies relacionadas. Describe cómo los cirujanos maxilofaciales y microcirujanos europeos utilizan sanguijuelas medicinales para salvar tejido comprometido por congestión venosa y amputaciones (dedos, orejas, punta nasal), y destaca que la saliva de la sanguijuela contiene un cóctel de moléculas bioactivas con propiedades anticoagulantes y descongestivas de interés farmacéutico. El artículo se sitúa plenamente dentro del ámbito de la ASH, al ofrecer una visión concisa de la hirudoterapia y la farmacología del secretoma de la sanguijuela. Advertencia: al tratarse de una revisión narrativa, no aporta datos primarios nuevos, ni un metaanálisis o una gradación sistemática de la evidencia.
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026