Leeches Can Promote Blood Circulation
According to overseas media reports, recent studies have found that leech saliva contains a natural anticoagulant substance—hirudin. This substance keeps blood flowing without clotting at wound sites for over 20 minutes. Under sterile conditions, a bacterium called *Aeromonas hydrophila* exists in the leech’s digestive tract, which prevents ingested blood from spoiling and provides essential enzymes for digestion. Scientists also discovered that Staphylococcus bacteria, which easily develop resistance in humans, struggle to grow inside leeches. Researchers speculate this may be due to the leech’s inherent resistance to Staphylococcus or its symbiotic bacteria producing substances that inhibit Staphylococcus growth. Experts believe that if this mystery is solved, it could help develop more effective antibiotics for humans in the future. Currently, biopharmaceutical company staff are attempting to extract local anesthetic substances from leech saliva.
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