Traditional Chinese Medicinal Leech Induces Apoptosis and Autophagy in Glioblastoma by SGK1/Caspase-3 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) represents the most lethal form of high-grade glioma, with current therapeutic options proving largely ineffective. Consequently, there is an urgent need for novel treatment strategies. Recent studies have indicated that the medicinal leech exhibits notable anticancer properties. However, the precise mechanisms underlying these effects remain to be elucidated. METHODS: To investigate the impact of leech drug-containing serum (LDS) on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GBM cells, a series of assays including CCK-8, ethynyl deoxyuridine (EdU), colony formation, scratch, and transwell assays were employed. Additionally, the apoptosis and autophagy of GBM cells were analyzed using flow cytometry, monodansylcadaverine staining and the immunofluorescence assay. Transcriptomic sequencing of the cells was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes. In vivo, anticancer activity was assessed by developing tumor xenograft models. Western blot analysis was utilized to identify proteins associated with apoptosis and autophagy. RESULTS: Leech drug-containing serum (LDS) significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, it induced autophagy and apoptosis in GBM. Differential gene enrichment analysis and pathway validation indicated that LDS exerts anti-GBM effects by modulating the PI3K/AKT pathway. Leech extracts effectively inhibit the growth of GBM in a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model. CONCLUSION: The leech-derived compounds may induce apoptosis and autophagy in GBM by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, without eliciting significant adverse effects, thereby presenting itself as a promising therapeutic agent.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Leech drug-containing serum inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioblastoma cells while inducing apoptosis and autophagy via SGK1/Caspase-3 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. Confirmed in subcutaneous xenograft mouse models with no significant adverse effects.

Узнайте, как это исследование связано с клинической практикой

More peer-reviewed studies in Фармакология секрета слюнных желёз.

• Novel Leech Antimicrobial Peptides — Hirunipins — Kumar et al. (2025)
• 434 Salivary Proteins — Integrated Proteomics of Hirudo medicinalis — Liu et al. (2019)
• Medicinal Leech Genome Assembly — Anticoagulant Gene Catalog — Kvist et al. (2020)
• Effects of hirudotherapy on liver functions, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in rats with metabolic syndrome — Bilden A et al. (2026)
• Efficacy and Safety of Hirudotherapy for Improving Sperm Quality Parameters in Male Infertility: A Randomized Controlled Trial — Abtahi-Forooshani M et al. (2026)
• [Medicinal leeches and hirudotherapy] — Gödekmerdan A et al. (2011)
• PEROXIDATION OF SALIVA LIPIDS IN PATIENTS WITH POSTCOVID SYNDROME DURING HIRUDOTHERAPY — Serikbayeva S et al. (2024)
• Medicinal leech therapy in pain syndromes: a narrative review — Koeppen D, Aurich M, Rampp T (2014)
• Leech therapy in the treatment of a penile haematoma in a stallion — Nowicki A, Jaworska J, Baranski W (2021)
• Leech therapy (Hirudo medicinalis) attenuates testicular damages induced by testicular ischemia/reperfusion in an animal model — Davoodi F et al. (2021)

Browse all ASH-analysed research →