Hirudin is a naturally occurring peptidein the salvary glands of medicinal leeches (such as Hirudo medicinals) that has a blood anticoagulant property. This is fundamental for the leeches’ alimentary habit of hematophagy, since it keeps the blood flowing after the initial phlebotomy performed by the worm on the host’s skin. The slide entitled Amino Acid Structure of Natural Hirudin gives an overview of the Amino Acid Structure of Natural Hirudin.
