Mechanism of Hirudo in Treatment of Stroke： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Stroke is one of the most common cerebrovascular diseases， including hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke. From a modern medical perspective， stroke is caused by cerebrovascular damage or embolism leading to impaired blood circulation. From the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） perspective， the pathogenesis of this disease is mainly due to the disorder of Qi and blood， which ascend to the brain， causing either blood extravasation or blockage of brain collaterals. Stasis is a pathological factor that runs throughout the entire course of stroke， and the method of promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis has been a core treatment for stroke for a long time. Hirudo， as a traditional insect drug， has shown good effects in promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis. Modern pharmacological research has confirmed that Hirudo contains anticoagulant components， which provide significant advantages in dissolving thrombi in ischemic stroke and facilitating hematoma absorption in hemorrhagic stroke. Hirudo and its related preparations have been proven to exert an anti-stroke effect through anticoagulation， anti-thrombosis， and protection of vascular endothelium. As a result， they have been widely used in the treatment of stroke. This article explored the theoretical basis and research status of using Hirudo for treating stroke based on its main active components and hemostatic properties and summarized the current research status of commonly used Hirudo-based formulations and preparations， aiming to provide references for the involvement of Hirudo in stroke treatment.