Zoology, traditional uses, processing technology, chemical compositions and pharmacological activities of Hirudo: A reviews.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hirudo (HO) is the medicinal name for the dried whole body of leeches, including species such as Whitmania pigra Whitman, Hirudo nipponica Whitman, and Whitmania acranulata Whitman, all of which belong to the family Hirudidae. It is characterized by a salty, bitter taste and a neutral nature with mild toxicity. HO is traditionally used to activate blood circulation, regulate menstruation, and eliminate blood stasis, making it effective in treating conditions like blood stagnation with menstrual irregularities, abdominal masses, stroke sequelae, and traumatic injuries.

AIM OF THE WORK: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of HO from the perspectives of its zoological characteristics, traditional applications, processing methods, chemical composition, pharmacological activities, quality control, and toxicity. The goal is to offer a reference for the rational use of HO and to lay the foundation for related clinical research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review searched the literature on HO in databases including ResearchGate, Web of Science, Baidu Scholar, Google Scholar, CNKI, and other databases using the keywords HO, zoology, compounds, pharmacology, and quality control.

RESULTS: More than 140 chemical constituents have been identified in HO., including 65 types of peptides (1-65), 8 types of pteridines (66-73), 34 types of lipids (74-107), 17 types of amino acids (108-124), and 18 other chemical compounds (125-142). Among these, peptides are the main active ingredients of HO, exhibiting pharmacological effects such as anticoagulation, antithrombosis, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic activities. Notably, HO has shown significant efficacy in anticoagulation and antithrombosis. It can treat cardiovascular diseases through mechanisms such as inhibiting blood coagulation, preventing platelet aggregation, and promoting fibrinolysis. While HO demonstrates remarkable pharmacological activities, its distinct fishy odor may affect patient compliance, requiring further processing to eliminate this unpleasant scent. This review also systematically outlines the quality control standards, toxicity, and clinical applications of HO.

CONCLUSION: This review systematically summarizes the zoological characteristics, traditional uses, processing methods, chemical composition, pharmacological activity, quality control, and toxicity of HO. Current research indicates that peptides are the primary bioactive components responsible for HO's anticoagulant, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic activities, particularly in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This review also emphasizes the importance of establishing a robust quality control system and further elucidating the pharmacological mechanisms of HO to support its safe and rational clinical application.