A Chronological Journey to Iranian Medicinal Leech, an Amazing Creature

Malek, Masome; Khodadost, Mahmood

A Chronological Journey to Iranian Medicinal Leech, an Amazing Creature

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Masome Malek ¹
Mahmood Khodadost ²

¹ School of Biology and Centre of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms, College of Science, University of Tehran, Iran.

² Faculty of Traditional Medicine, Shahid Beheshti Medical School, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Historically, several species of medicinal Leeches were used for hirodotherapy. The present article, review the history, biology, therapy and Hirudiculture. Three species of medicinal Leeches including, Hirudo medicinalis, H. verbana and H. orientalis were mostly applied in the traditional medicine. It is worth mentioning that Hirudo orientalis is the Iranian medicinal Leech which was described by Utevesky and Trontelj ) (2005). Medicinal Leech affected the life of several people such as Hitler, Napoleon and George Washington. The secret of Leech is due to the effect of different kind of enzyme which enters the blood during the bloodsucking period. The natural population of Leeches is endangered to extinction, as a result of overexploitation. In addition, there is always possibility of disease transfer by infected Leeches. To overcome these problems, Leech farm of the College of Science, University of Tehran was established. In order to standardize the Leech farming, distribution, captivity, therapy, safety, and terminate used Leeches, a steering committee is launched by members of involved organizations.

Keywords

20.1001.1.2008935.1394.06.1.10.4

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