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An Overview on Medicinal Leech Therapy



Author(s)

Kaushal Chhayani, Parth Daxini and Priya Patel

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DOI:10.17265/2328-2150/2023.06.001

In the traditional treatment of pain and inflammatory illnesses, Hirudo medicinalis (Medicinal leeches) are used therapeutically. Leeches are connected to the afflicted areas and start sucking blood after a first, painless bite. Instead of the blood extracted during biting, the majority of these therapeutic benefits originate from the numerous bioactive substances found in saliva, such as hyaluronidase, hirudin, calin, destabilase, apyrase, eglin, and many others. Treatments focus on reducing regional pain syndromes, primarily for osteoarthritis of the knee or other joint conditions. The use of this technology extends to plastic surgery, where it is used to maintain blood flow in clogged skin flaps, reconstructive procedures, cardiovascular complications, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, gastrointestinal disorders, dermatology, gynaecological abnormalities, and traumatic conditions like the reattachment of severed extremities, finger, toe, and ear. Recently, new applications in the treatment of diabetes, asthma and cancer have been found. Due to the increasing therapeutic potential of HT, researchers are striving to find and synthesize several new salivary compounds.

Hirudotherapy, Leech, Blood-thinning, Skin flap, Arthritis.

Chhayani, K., Daxini, P., and Patel, P. 2023. "An Overview on Medicinal Leech Therapy." Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 11 (6): 107-113.