Recent progress on formulations of hirudin

Hirudin is an effective active ingredient derived from the salivary glands of leech. It is a small peptide molecule consisting of 65–66 amino acids and demonstrates a strong inhibitory effect on thrombin, providing beneficial anticoagulant and antithrombotic properties. However, as a biopharmaceutic...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Zheng Bao, Xingyu Qi, Suling Zhu, Mao Zhang, Xinyue Liu, Peidong Chen, Li Zhang, Ting Geng, Fang-Fang Cheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:Pharmaceutical Science Advances
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773216925000169
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Summary:Hirudin is an effective active ingredient derived from the salivary glands of leech. It is a small peptide molecule consisting of 65–66 amino acids and demonstrates a strong inhibitory effect on thrombin, providing beneficial anticoagulant and antithrombotic properties. However, as a biopharmaceutical peptide, it has some drawbacks such as easy degradation, short half-life, low bioavailability, and high risk of hemorrhage in clinical use. To overcome these challenges, various formulations were developed. In this work, a comprehensive review of research progress was provided in both traditional and novel hirudin formulations, spanning from lyophilized powders to biotechnology-based pharmaceuticals, covering various dosage forms to offer comprehensive references for field research. Firstly the advantages and limitations of conventional preparations were assessed such as freeze-dried powders, capsules, and injections. Then a detailed exploration of frontier strategies including nanotechnology-based delivery systems, transdermal formulations, and biotechnology-driven prodrug designs were conducted. This article aims to comprehensively analyze cutting-edge advancements in hirudin preparation research, providing updated information for relevant researchers by integrating traditional dosage optimization with breakthrough emerging technologies.
ISSN:2773-2169