A Comprehensive Pharmacological and Clinical Review of Lumbricus rubellus Extract and its Primary Bioactive Component, Lumbrokinase

Section 1: Historical Context and Biochemical Profile

The journey of Lumbricus rubellus extract from an ancient folk remedy to a subject of modern clinical investigation represents a compelling case study in ethnopharmacology. This section details its historical roots, the scientific discovery of its key bioactive components, its complex biochemical profile, and the physicochemical properties that underpin its therapeutic potential.

1.1. Traditional Use and Modern Discovery

The medicinal use of earthworms is deeply entrenched in the history of traditional Asian medicine, with documented applications spanning centuries in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures.[1] Referred to as Dilong (or "Earth Dragon") in Traditional Chinese Medicine, preparations derived from earthworms have been historically prescribed for a wide array of conditions, particularly those believed to involve circulatory stasis, inflammation, and disorders of the liver and spleen.[1] This long-standing empirical use for hematological and circulatory ailments provided a crucial foundation, suggesting the presence of potent, biologically active compounds that warranted scientific exploration.[5]