For the first time the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis has been bred in captivity at London zoo, part of a longer-term project to help this fascinating if unloved creature. Once widespread in ...

The clinical utility of subcutaneous hirudins is discussed. The term "hirudins" refers to a class of antithrombotic agents structurally derived from the medicinal leech salivary protein hirudin.

Another study traced the historical use of medicinal leeches and their salivary products, such as hirudin, which is known for its powerful anticoagulant effects. The research emphasizes the ...

But leeches aren’t just useful at crime scenes. These creatures’ sanguineous appetites have also come in handy for scientists, who are hoping to use them to solve another mystery: the diversity of ...

It's a great time of year to meet with the giant Amazonian leech. Its kind is just emerging from the bottom muck, where they dug themselves in to wait out the three-month dry season. They'll be ...

Leeches are used medically in orthopaedics and plastic surgery after microsurgical and replantation procedures, because they secrete a powerful anti-coagulant, hirudin, that prevents clotting of ...