Article: PAIN MANAGEMENT BY LEECH THERAPY: A REVIEW

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.15389

Pages: 150-152

Author: Ajay Pratap Singh *, Devesh Shukla

Abstract: Pain is a common symptom of several illnesses that are treated with medicinal leech treatment. Its mechanism of action is based on injecting leech saliva into the tissues of patients while they are having blood drawn. Active components found in leech saliva have anti-inflammatory, thrombolytic, anticoagulant, and blood- and lymph-vascular-stimulating effects. There isn't a known particular analgesic compound in leech saliva. In many cases, leech treatment provides quick, efficient, and long-lasting pain relief. More than twenty bioactive compounds have been found in leeches' secretions, including carboxypeptidase inhibitors, guamerin, hirudin, saratin, bdellins, complement, and antistasin. In addition to their extracellular matrix degradative and antibacterial properties, they also serve as analgesics, anti-inflammatory, platelet inhibitory, anticoagulant, and thrombin regulators. However, more research may expand their range of actions. The method's mechanisms of action for certain diseases have been clarified, and it is inexpensive, efficient, and simple to use. It has recently discovered novel uses in the treatment of cancer, hypersensitivity diseases including asthma, male and female infertility, and diabetes. Researchers are continuing to identify and synthesise a growing number of novel salivary chemicals for use in clinical and private practice due to the growing therapeutic potential of leech treatment. In conclusion, leech therapy is a complimentary and/or integrative option rather than a replacement for the treatment of various disorders.

Keyword: Leech therapy, Hirudin, Anti- inflammatory, Anticoagulant