Anti-Tubercular Activities and Molecular Characterization of Salivary Extract of Leech (<i>Hirudo medicinalis</i>) against <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>

Leech salivary extract (LSE) was screened for the anti-tubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis using microbroth dilution method. The bioactive components in LSE were determined using Shimadzu GC-MS QP2010 SE. The LSE exhibited bactericidal effects on M. tuberculosis at 50% (v/v). The result of the GC-MS analysis of LSE revealed seventeen (17) bioactive components. The major fatty acid components were oleic acid (33.9%) and palmitic acid also known as hexadecanoic acid (22.6%). Other bioactive components detected in appreciable amounts in LSE include, 4-bromobutyric acid (16.86%), 6,17-Octadiene-1-ol acetate (9.78%) and octahydro-1,4,9,9- tetramethyl (5.21%). The anti-tubercular activity of the LSE was attributed to these bioactive components. The results obtained suggest that leech salivary extract could be used in treating tuberculosis.