Investigation of the medicinal properties of medicinal leeches

A modern pharmacological research center dedicated to hirudotherapy has been opened at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. This center was launched on the basis of the Medicinal Plants Research Center located at the university.

The opening ceremony was attended by Margulan Ibraimov, Member of the Board, Acting Vice–Rector for Scientific and Innovative Activities, Tamara Zaipulayeva, President of the Association of Hirudotherapy, Zhanar Zhenis, Director of the Research Center for Medicinal Plants, and scientists.

The main goal of the new center is a scientific multi–pronged study of the medicinal properties of medicinal leeches, proof of the effect of biologically active substances contained in them on the human body and a scientific description of the mechanisms of application of hirudotherapy for the treatment of various diseases.

The Research Center for Medicinal Plants is currently studying plants native to Kazakhstan from a phytochemical and pharmacological point of view. Now the scientific research of the center will also cover the field of medicinal use of leeches.

The event was attended by professors, researchers, representatives of the scientific community, medical specialists and leading experts in the field of hirudotherapy. They discussed future cooperation and the strategic importance of the new center.

In addition, the parties signed an agreement on scientific cooperation in the field of medical leech research and identified the priority areas of the new center for the future.

Press-service of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University