Mining anticoagulant peptides from Poecilobdella manillensis by peptidomics analysis
Research article published in Natural products and bioprospecting (2026)
Abstract
Thrombosis triggers various severe diseases, while antithrombotic drugs carry bleeding risks, making the development of novel natural anticoagulants a subject of widespread attention. Poecilobdella manillensis, a prevalent medicinal leech, exhibits remarkable anticoagulant and antithrombotic activities. However, the material basis underlying its anticoagulant effects remains insufficiently investigated. This study aims to mine anticoagulant peptides from P. manillensis by peptidomics analysis, elucidate the material basis of its anticoagulant activity, and provide candidate molecules for developing novel natural anticoagulant drugs. Proteins extracted from P. manillensis were enzymatically digested and fractionated using DEAE-52 and CN columns. The resulting peptide components were analyzed by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS, and peptide sequences were matched against proteomic databases using Proteome Discoverer. Anticoagulant peptides were predicted using the BIOPEP-UWM database and PeptideRanker server, followed by in vitro and in vivo activity validation. Results showed that the hydrolysate consisted predominantly of low-molecular-weight peptides. 1533 peptides with Mw < 3000 Da (length < 20 amino acids) were identified from the PM-A2 and PM-A3 fractions, accounting for 40.76% of the total. Four peptides selected through predictive screening demonstrated anticoagulant and antithrombotic activities in vitro. Among them, LE-11 significantly prolonged both APTT and TT (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, LE-11 effectively alleviated carrageenan-induced thrombosis in mice, outperforming the heparin control at the mid-concentration (20 mg/kg). In this study, the highly active anticoagulant peptide LE-11 was identified from P. manillensis through peptidomic analysis. These findings establish a solid foundation for developing anticoagulant drugs from this source and provide critical scientific support for its clinical application in treating thrombotic diseases.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Thrombosis triggers various severe diseases, while antithrombotic drugs carry bleeding risks, making the development of novel natural anticoagulants a subject of widespread attention.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio empleó peptidómica para identificar péptidos anticoagulantes a partir de Poecilobdella manillensis, una especie de sanguijuela medicinal. Las proteínas se digirieron enzimáticamente, se fraccionaron y se analizaron mediante UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS, obteniéndose 1533 péptidos con pesos moleculares inferiores a 3000 Da. Cuatro péptidos predichos mostraron actividad anticoagulante in vitro, siendo LE-11 el que prolongó significativamente tanto el APTT como el TT (P<0,0001) y alivió la trombosis inducida por carragenina en ratones, superando aparentemente a la heparina a una concentración intermedia de 20 mg/kg. Esto es altamente relevante para el ámbito de ASH, ya que explora directamente el secretoma de la sanguijuela en busca de nuevas moléculas anticoagulantes y aporta péptidos candidatos para el desarrollo de fármacos. Matiz: se trata de hallazgos preclínicos a partir de ensayos in vitro y un modelo de trombosis en ratón; no se presentan datos en humanos ni clínicos, y los péptidos de la sanguijuela estudiados son productos de hidrólisis enzimática en lugar de secreciones salivales nativas.
Citación
Mining anticoagulant peptides from Poecilobdella manillensis by peptidomics analysis
Zheng HX et al. · Natural products and bioprospecting, 2026
Contexto clínico relacionado
Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica
Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026