Exploiting leech saliva to treat osteoarthritis: A provocative perspective
نویسندگان
چکیده
Plant and animal-derived products are crucial components in complementary and alternative medicine. Although modern medicine has provided numerous innovations and advancements, these often fail to reveal new and dependable, inexpensive treatments nor real cures that are relatively free of adverse side effects. We present evidence that hirudotherapy, which utilizes leeches, improves certain diseases, including osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis, a disease in joints, could benefit from use of medicinal peptides found in leech saliva, components of its immune system.
منابع مشابه
Effectiveness of leech therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled trial.
BACKGROUND Leech therapy was commonly used in traditional medicine for treating localized pain. Clinically significant pain relief after leech therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee has been demonstrated by preliminary data. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of leech therapy for symptomatic relief of osteoarthritis of the knee. DESIGN Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING Outpatient...
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