Abdualkader A M, Ghawi A M, Alaama M, Awang M, Merzouk A
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Istana, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
Indian J Pharm Sci. 2013 Mar;75(2):127-37.
Hematophagous animals including leeches have been known to possess biologically active compounds in their secretions, especially in their saliva. The blood-sucking annelids, leeches have been used for therapeutic purposes since the beginning of civilization. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek and Arab physicians used leeches for a wide range of diseases starting from the conventional use for bleeding to systemic ailments, such as skin diseases, nervous system abnormalities, urinary and reproductive system problems, inflammation, and dental problems. Recently, extensive researches on leech saliva unveiled the presence of a variety of bioactive peptides and proteins involving antithrombin (hirudin, bufrudin), antiplatelet (calin, saratin), factor Xa inhibitors (lefaxin), antibacterial (theromacin, theromyzin) and others. Consequently, leech has made a comeback as a new remedy for many chronic and life-threatening abnormalities, such as cardiovascular problems, cancer, metastasis, and infectious diseases. In the 20(th) century, leech therapy has established itself in plastic and microsurgery as a protective tool against venous congestion and served to salvage the replanted digits and flaps. Many clinics for plastic surgery all over the world started to use leeches for cosmetic purposes. Despite the efficacious properties of leech therapy, the safety, and complications of leeching are still controversial.
包括水蛭在内的吸血动物，其分泌物尤其是唾液中含有生物活性化合物，这已为人所知。作为吸血环节动物，水蛭自文明伊始就被用于治疗目的。古埃及、印度、希腊和阿拉伯的医生用水蛭治疗多种疾病，从传统的放血用途到系统性疾病，如皮肤病、神经系统异常、泌尿和生殖系统问题、炎症以及牙科问题等。最近，对水蛭唾液的广泛研究揭示了多种生物活性肽和蛋白质的存在，包括抗凝血酶（水蛭素、bufrudin）、抗血小板物质（calin、saratin）、Xa因子抑制剂（lefaxin）、抗菌物质（theromacin、theromyzin）等。因此，水蛭作为治疗许多慢性和危及生命的异常病症的新疗法再度兴起，如心血管问题、癌症、转移和传染病等。在20世纪，水蛭疗法在整形和显微外科领域确立了其作为预防静脉淤血的保护工具的地位，并用于挽救再植手指和皮瓣。世界各地的许多整形诊所开始将水蛭用于美容目的。尽管水蛭疗法具有有效特性，但其安全性和水蛭治疗的并发症仍存在争议。
