The saliva of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis--II. Inhibition of platelet aggregation and of leukocyte activity and examination of reputed anaesthetic effects.
1. Leech saliva inhibits platelet aggregation induced by collagen, ADP and epinephrine. 2. Leech saliva inhibits superoxide production by neutrophils stimulated by tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate or polyhistidine. The effect is due in part at least to eglin. 3. Reputed anaesthetic effects of leech saliva were not detected.
D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000758:Anesthesia; D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007865:Leeches; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D012463:Saliva; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013481:Superoxides / Q000097:blood
D013481:Superoxides; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D003094:Collagen