Leech Histamine-like Vasodilator
Histamine-receptor-acting compound — contributes to local vasodilation at feeding site.
Mechanistic Evidence Box
Preclinical / mechanistic- Page type
- Compound profile
- Evidence type
- Histamine-receptor-acting compound — contributes to local vasodilation at feeding site.
- Evidence level
- Mechanistic discussion
- Drug vs leech
- Leech-derived crude extract
- Safety domains
- Allergy / anaphylaxis
Clinical translation limit
Leech-derived histamine-like vasodilator activity is mechanistic only and does NOT establish any clinical therapeutic role. The histaminergic mechanism is relevant to understanding allergic/anaphylactic risk of leech application, not to claims of vasodilator efficacy.
Molecular Profile
- Category
- Vasodilator
- Evidence tier
- Preclinical
- Molecular weight
- 200 Da
- Source species
- Hirudo medicinalis
Biological Targets
- → H1 histamine receptor
External Resources
Related Vasodilator Compounds
Leech Nitric Oxide Synthase Modulator
Modulates host NOS activity at bite site — contributes to vasodilation phase of feeding.
Leech Acetylcholine
Cholinergic vasodilator contributing to feeding-site vascular dilation.
Leech Bradykinin Modulator
Salivary factor reported to modulate the bradykinin / kinin-kallikrein vasoactive cascade.
Shuxuetong (SXT) Injection Active Peptides
Three angiogenic peptides (DSYVGDEAQSKR, YNELRVAPEEHP, IQFLPEGSPVTM) from a leech + earthworm Shuxuetong (SXT) injection — Sun 2022 hindlimb-ischemia model.