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Detoxification by Medicinal Leeches (Hirudo Medicinalis)

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Peter Takac, et al. Medical Research Archives vol 8 issue 12. Medical Research Archives RESEARCH ARTICLE Detoxification by Medicinal Leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) Authors Maria Habrmanova1, Anna Cechova2, Helena Cickova1, Peter Takac1,3 Affiliations 1Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia 2 Faculty hospital with policlinic, Merciful Brothers, Hematological Clinic, Bratislava, Slovakia 3 Scientica, Ltd., Bratislava, Slovakia Corresponding author: Peter Takac, PhD., Scientica, Ltd Hybesova 33; 83106 Bratislava, Slovakia Phone +421903234249 E-mail: [email protected] Abstract The success of body detoxification by medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) depends on the rich bioactive composition of the medicinal leeches salivas. There is a total of 150 identified bioactive substances that have detoxifying and regenerative effects on the human body. However, the human organism has its own regulatory mechanisms for removing toxic products from the body: detoxification. The aim of our explorative study was to advance these mechanisms and demonstrate the efficiency of the bioactive substances of leech saliva to support the regulation of selected blood parameter levels, i.e. lower cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels, and to ensure the prevention of diseases caused by the fluctuation of the levels of these blood components. The participants in our study numbered 17. None of them had presented any significant medicinal complications from or contraindications to leech therapy. They participated in a total of seven leech procedures. After the therapy, blood tests for the patients were carried out to compare the blood counts before therapy and after. Using the results, we evaluated the outcomes of the detoxification therapy by using statistical analysis in the R program, version 3.0.0. Detoxication therapy using medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis) had no significant effect on the level of blood components provided to us, but its effect was observed in the subjective health improvements reported by patients. Keywords: detoxification, Hirudo medicinalis, bioactive substances, blood count Copyright 2020 KEI Journals. All Rights Reserved Peter Takac, et al. Medical Research Archives vol 8 issue 12. December 2020 Page 2 of 12 Introduction metabolism is improved, and the activity of The term detox refers to the process the immune, hormonal and nervous systems of alternative treatment of addicted patients is increased. These and many other positive [13]. A healthy organism can deal with the improvements in the body occur due to the accumulated waste substances by its own mentioned complex of bioactive substances regulatory mechanisms. If these mechanisms in the salivary glands of leeches which have do not work well, some blood parameters, antibacterial, bacteriostatic, microcirculatory such as glucose and fat, including cholesterol and, especially, detoxifying effects, having a and triglycerides, may increase. beneficial effect on the whole organism. After Hyperlipidemia has almost no symptoms but therapy, there are subjective changes and an its presence poses an increased risk of improvement in the health of the organism. cardiovascular disease. Elevated blood Because of these substances and enzymes, the glucose levels are also a major and common action of leeches on the body may be problem. Recurrent hyperglycaemia considered complex. increases the risk of developing diabetes mellitus, but also heart attack, stroke, kidney, Detoxifying organs eye and lower limb damage [5, 6, 9, 10]. All The body is equipped with self- these risks can be combined into one and regulating mechanisms that can withstand the cause so-called metabolic syndrome [7]. effects of the external environment, caused by In our study, a selected group of bacteria, viruses or excessive physical patients underwent detoxification therapy activity, all of which are part of our daily with a medical leech (Hirudo medicinalis). lives. Through urine, stool, sweating and Several dozen bioactive substances that have breathing, the body discharges a substantial a positive effect on fluctuating levels of blood amount of waste every day. Therefore, it is parameters can be found in the salivary very important to encourage our natural glands of leeches. At the same time, detoxification mechanisms, including the following therapy, there is an overall actions of the liver, lungs, skin, kidneys, improvement in health: normal temperature is intestines and the lymphatic system (Fig. 1), restored, blood pressure is lowered, sugar to function optimally [16]. levels are stabilized, cholesterol is lowered, Figure 1. Detoxification zones: A) coccyx and cruciate zone B) kidney zone C) heart zone (left hand) D) liver zone E) trapeze zone E) right scapular zone Copyright 2020 KEI Journals. All Rights Reserved http://journals.ke-i.org/index.php/mra Peter Takac, et al. Medical Research Archives vol 8 issue 12. December 2020 Page 3 of 12 Bioactive composition of leech saliva organism. When sucking blood, the leeches The salivary glands of the medical simultaneously discharge a complex of leech include a whole complex of bioactive bioactive substances into the patient's body substances (see Table 1), which have a within 20 - 45 minutes. beneficial and detoxifying effect on the whole Table 1: Bioactive composition of the salivary glands of leeches and their detoxifying effect on the organism [14]. Bioactive substance Effect Hirudin, Hirustazin Anticoagulant Destabilase Antiischematic Bdelin Antibacterial Hyaluronidase Antithrombotic Apyrase Immunostimulatory Kinin Analgesic Eglin Anti-inflammatory Collagen Anti-swelling Triglyceride Detoxifying Lipase and esterase Microcirculatory Lipolytic enzyme Analgetic It should be noted that hirudin, biological molecules, the structure and triglyceride, lipase, esterase and destabilase, function of which we have known about for are those components most involved in the several decades [11]. The anticoagulant detoxification of the body. They are involved properties of leech saliva were discovered in in regulating blood pressure, stabilizing the the late 19th century by Haycraft [8]. In 1950, level of sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides in Fritz Markwardt of Germany isolated a the blood, increasing the activity of the protein from the saliva of Hirudo medicinalis, immune system and contributing to the which he named hirudin, after the Latin overall regeneration of the body. generic name of the medical leech Hirudo Hirudin is an important component of medicinalis [3, 4, 12]. Due to its affinity for the salivary glands of leeches. It is a thrombin, hirudin inhibits almost all the substance with an extremely strong physiological functions of thrombin and anticoagulant effect and belongs to the first ensures blood clotting. Copyright 2020 KEI Journals. All Rights Reserved http://journals.ke-i.org/index.php/mra Peter Takac, et al. Medical Research Archives vol 8 issue 12. December 2020 Page 4 of 12 No adverse side effects, including platelet bile acids which, together, provide the effects, have been observed with its emulsifying properties of bile. In addition to application. Hirudin mixes with the victim's bile acids, cholesterol produces neutral blood during food intake and, when sterols and both types of compounds are swallowed, is kept in a liquid state in the excreted in the feces [16, 17]. stomach so that the leech retains its full There are two types of cholesterol in the mobility while digesting a large volume of blood that differ in the lipoproteins that carry food intake. No other molecule has such a it: high specificity for thrombin [18]. - LDL, or harmful cholesterol, is associated Destabilase has glycosidase activity with low-density lipoproteins and promotes and is an enzyme characterized by a strong arteriosclerosis. anticoagulant effect on blood clotting, acting - HDL, or good cholesterol, is associated with to break down clotted blood [1, 19]. It also high-density lipoproteins and protects against contains a unique compound, prostaglandin, arteriosclerosis. which significantly regulates blood vessels, The expression blood cholesterol level the digestive tract and also regulates blood describes the total amount of cholesterol, the sugar levels. The most mysterious property of sum of both species [15, 16]. prostaglandin is the self-regulation of blood Cholesterol is needed in the body and, pressure: under its effects, high pressure as such, should not be considered a toxic decreases and low pressure increases. substance. The body is able to produce Esterase and lipase are involved in enough cholesterol for its own needs without the breakdown of fats and lower cholesterol being dependent on consumption from [2] and also have a detoxifying effect. external sources. Cholesterol is harmful only because it settles on the walls of the arteries The goal and causes arteriosclerosis. Exceeding a Monitored parameters certain level in the blood increases the risk of As already mentioned, the salivary arteriosclerosis and heart attack. Cholesterol glands of leeches successfully regulate the is needed, but only in an amount that does not levels of various blood components, such as cause arteriosclerosis [15]. Esterase and glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides, and lipase contribute to its reduction. contribute to the overall renewal of cells, Triglycerides, along with cholesterol tissues and organs in the body and contribute and phospholipids, are part of lipoproteins. to the overall revitalization of the body. In Their increased
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