Medicinal leech therapy is the use of specific medicinal leech species like Hirudo medicinalis for therapeutic purposes.It has a long-standing history in traditional and classical medical systems.Historically, leeches were used to manage battlefield injuries, inflammatory conditions, and various systemic ailments due to their bloodletting and healing properties.In modern medicine, hirudotherapy has also regained importance and it has been employed as a supportive therapy in conditions such as abscess formation, arthritic disorders, glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, thrombotic conditions, and various venous as well as circulatory diseases.In plastic and reconstructive surgery, this approach plays an important role in reducing venous stasis, promoting microvascular flow, and supporting graft viability.During feeding, leeches release a rich cocktail of over a hundred biologically active substances, including anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory agents, vasodilators, and analgesic compounds.Among these, hirudin is the most studied component, known for its potent anticoagulant action that prevents blood clot formation.Other molecules, such as calin, bdellins, and eglins, further contribute to therapeutic benefits.This review evaluates the pharmacological profile, clinical applications, safety considerations, and emerging relevance of hirudotherapy in contemporary Indian medical practice, highlighting its potential as a complementary and cost-effective therapeutic option.
Fasihuddeen et al. (Fri,) studied this question.