Buffalo: A three-year study by Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) researchers has found that protein extracted from the saliva of the local buffalo leech (Hirudinaria manillensis) has potential for use as an anticoagulant in the medical industry.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, UMK Faculty of Agro-Based Industry senior lecturer Dr. Zulhisyam Abdul Kari said the study found that the protein contains hirudin, a substance with properties similar to heparin, which is used in modern medicine to delay blood clotting. "Laboratory tests prove that leech protein extract is capable of delaying blood clotting, comparable to other anticoagulants," he noted.
He explained that buffalo leeches were chosen as the main subject of the study because the quantity of saliva and quality of protein they produce are significantly higher than those of land leeches (pacat), although both belong to the same family. Zulhisyam highlighted that leech-based treatments, including leech therapy, had long been used to address various health conditions, including gout and acne, as well as to assist in the healing of chronic wounds in diabetic patients.
"Commercial treatment follows strict clinical procedures, with a single leech used exclusively for one patient to avoid the risk of cross-infection," he stated. He added that leeches from the Asian region are recognised as among the highest quality in the world, with countries like Germany utilising them extensively as a pre-heart surgery treatment to help ensure smooth blood flow. Neighboring countries such as Thailand have also imported leeches from Malaysia to meet demand in their medical markets.
However, Zulhisyam pointed out that Malaysia's leech farming industry had declined sharply compared with previous years when it expanded through contract farming schemes. "This stems from fraud issues that undermined the confidence of local investors and industry players," he said. The situation has been compounded by a significant decline in the leech population in natural habitats such as paddy fields, with uncontrolled use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers posing a threat to the species.
As part of conservation efforts, Zulhisyam mentioned that the management and control of leeches in Malaysia had been placed entirely under the Department of Fisheries Malaysia since 2011, after being transferred from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN). He emphasized the urgent need for greater funding to facilitate further research, including molecular biology studies, to unlock the potential of local leeches for commercialisation in the global medical industry.
Finally, Zulhisyam urged the public to view leeches as a valuable natural resource that should be preserved for future scientific and biotechnology applications, noting that every living organism plays an important role in the ecosystem.