A comparative study of the morphology of the effect of medical leech Hirudo medicinalis oil on facial skin using geometric morphometry software

The use of leech extract in the preparation of cosmetic supplements and medicinal compounds has always been of interest. So far, the effect of this extract on the volume of the skin's epidermal tissue has not been scientifically confirmed, and no research has been done regarding the comparison of the effects of different types of base oils in this extract.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of leech extract in the bases of olive oil, castor oil and bitter almond oil on the facial skin using the basic geometric morphometry software. For this purpose, 25 people from the age group of 45 to 55 years were selected. In order to compare morphological changes for forty days at a specific hour, pictures were taken using a digital camera. 12 landmark points were placed on the two-dimensional images using TpsDig2 software. The shape data obtained after superimposition analysis were analyzed using Procrust analysis with multivariate PCA and CVA statistical methods and cluster analysis (CV).

The results showed that there is a significant difference between leech extract in volumizing and removing wrinkles with olive oil base (P>0.001), but the two groups of castor oil and bitter almond oil did not have a significant difference (P>0.001).

Leech extract has no effect on removing wrinkles and does not cause local swelling in the epidermal tissue in the time frame of the present study.