Analysis of the Clinical Effect of Chinese Medicine Combined with Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Insomnia

Objective:To explore and analyze the clinical efficacy of Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of insomnia.Method:80 patients with primary insomnia were selected as the study sample,with 20 cases randomly selected as the control group and the rest as the observation group.The control group was treated with ordinary western medicine,while the observation group patients were treated with traditional Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture and moxibustion based on this syndrome differentiation.The comparison items were treatment effect,sleep quality,mental health,quality of life,specific sleep indicators,cerebral blood flow and neurotransmitters.Result:The treatment effectiveness showed that the observation group had a higher treatment effectiveness rate than the control group(P<0.05);The results of sleep quality showed that after treatment,the scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group in seven dimensions:sleep quality,sleep time,sleep onset time,sleep efficiency,sleep disorders,hypnotic drugs,and daytime dysfunc‐tion score(P<0.05);The quality of life results showed that after treatment,the observa‐tion group had higher scores than the control group in eight dimensions:physiological function,physiological function,physical pain,health status,energy,social function,emotional function,and mental health(P<0.05);The results of slow wave sleep time and fast eye movement sleep time showed that after treatment,the HAMA and HAMD scores of the physiological mechanism in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05);The results of cerebral blood flow and neurotransmitter indica‐tors show that after treatment,glutamateγ-The peak systolic blood flow velocity of ami‐nobutyric acid,vertebral artery,and basilar artery in the observation group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The clinical treatment of Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of insomnia patients can significantly improve the clinical treatment effect,and improve the cerebral hemorrhage and neurotransmitter status of patients,promote the improvement of their physical and mental status,can more significantly improve the quality of sleep,reduce sleep difficulties,reduce the dosage of sleeping pills,which has important clinical application value.

An Investigation of Moxibustion Treatment for Abscesses in the Song Dynasty:Focusing on the“Jiu Ai Tu”

Jiu Ai Tu(The Moxa Treatment)from the Song dynasty is the earliest surviving painting that focuses on the subject of acupuncture and moxibustion.This paper takes the medical activities depicted in the artwork as its research object and systematically analyzes the external treatment methods for abscesses during the Song dynasty reflected in Jiu Ai Tu.By examining the understanding of abscesses during that period,the paper explores the level of development in external medicine techniques.By analyzing the medical awareness and behaviors of patients when facing such severe illnesses,it aims to explore the societal cognition and experiences regarding health and disease.The paper attempts to present the folk medical ecology of the Song dynasty represented by Jiu Ai Tu.

Recent Situation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Treatment of Stomach Pain with Deficiency and Cold of Spleen and Stomach

Stomachache is one of the most common diseases of digestive system, among which stomach pain of deficiency cold of spleen and stomach is the most common. Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy as an external treatment of traditional Chinese medicine for relieving stomach pain due to deficiency of spleen and stomach, has the advantages of convenient operation, small adverse reactions and remarkable curative effect, which is easy for patients to accept. In this paper, acupuncture and moxibustion therapy such as moxibustion and warm acupuncture therapy for stomach pain of spleen and stomach deficiency cold type is summarized to provide evidence-based basis for clinical treatment of stomach pain of spleen and stomach deficiency cold type.

Summary and clinical application of Zhuang medicine medicated thread moxibustion

Zhuang medicine medicated thread moxibustion is a kind of external therapy with ethnic medicine characteristics that spreads in Guangxi Zhuang region.It has a wide range of clinical application and significant curative effect,and can be used to treat diseases such as internal medicine,surgery,dermatology,gynecology,pediatrics,and five sense organs.Through reviewing and combing the literature on the Zhuang medicine medicated thread moxibustion in recent years,this paper summarizes and prospects its clinical application,with a view to further explaining the basic principles and application rules of Zhuang medicine medicated thread moxibustion and digging its clinical value.

Proposal of translation of commonly-used acupuncture and moxibustion terminology by Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

General Secretary Xi Jinping points out“traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is a treasure of the Chinese nation.We must pro-tect,explore,develop and inherit it well.”According tothe latest in-formation,1 TCM has spread to 196 countries and regions around the world,indicating that it enjoys a good development abroad,especially the development of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Mechanism of intervention of medicine combined with mild moxibustion on hypothyroidism rat model

Objective:To explore the intervention effect of medicine combined with mild moxibustion on immune factor and Na/I symporter(NIS)in hypothyroidism rat model.Methods:The model was successfully made by intragastric administration of propylthiouracil(PTU)solution medicine and medicine combined with mild moxibustion groups were given levothyroxine sodium suspension 60μg/kg body weight by gavage,once a day.In the medicine combined with mild moxibustion group,mild moxibustion was applied in“Dazhui”,“Mingmen”,“Pishu”,“Shenshu”,and 10 minutes per point,once a day,and one day off every six days;four weeks in a row.The model group and medicine was fixed in the same way as the medicine combined with mild moxibustion group.The blank group received no treatment.The contents of thyrotropin-releasing hormone(TSH),tatalthyroxine(TT4),thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb),thyroglobulin antibodies(TGAb),Interleukin-4(IL-4)and Interleukin-23(IL-23)in serum were determined by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA).The content of NIS and the expression level of NISmRNA in thyroid tissues of each group were detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction(R-T PCR).Results:Compared with the blank group,the contents of TSH,TPOAb,TGAb and IL-23 in the serum of rats in the model group were increased,the contents of IL-4 and TT4 were decreased,and the contents of NIS and NISmRNA in thyroid tissue were decreased,with statistical significance(P<0.01).Compared with model group,the contents of TSH,TPOAb,TGAb and IL-23 in serum of medicine group and medicine combined with mild moxibustion group were decreased,while the contents of IL-4 and TT4 were increased;the NIS content and NISmRNA expression in thyroid tissues were increased,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.01).Compared with the medicine group,NISmRNA expression in thyroid tissues of medicine combined with mild moxibustion groups was increased,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Medicine combined with mild moxibustion can decrease the contents of TPOAb,TGAb and IL-23,and increase the content of IL-4,increasing the content and expression of NIS to interfere with the hypothyroidism rat model.

THE INFLUENCE OF MEDICINAL CAKE-SEPARATED MOXIBUSTION UPON RED BLOOD CELL IMMUNITY AND FREE RADICAL IN THE AGED

Eighty-six senile persons,aged 60 years old or over,were treated by medicinalcake-separated moxibustion and the influence of moxibustion upon red blood cell immunity func-tion and free radical was observed.We have adopted the principle of tonifying the kidney andstrengthening the spleen,promoting blood flow and removing blood stasis.The tonic points suchas Dazhui（GV 14）,Shenshu（BL 23）,Guanyuan（CV 4）,Shenque（CV 8）and Zhsanli（ST36）were chosen.Besides,it was supplemented with the principle of nourishing blood,tonifyingspleen and replenishing essence,using medicinal cake moxibustion.The moxibustion was givenonce every other day,three moxa-cone on each point,and twenty-four times as a therapeuticcourse.The total moxibustion amount is 264 moxa-cone.Before and after the treatment,wemeasured the red blood cell immunity function（RBC-C3b,RBC-IC,RFER,RFIR）,the SOD ac-tivity of RBC,and the contents of serum LPo. Results show that in senile person,the RBC-C3b rosette formation falls while the

EFFECTS OF MEDICINAL MOXIBUSTION ON SERUM GASTRIN,URINARY D-XYLOSE EXCRETORY RATE AND T CELL SUBGROUPS IN SPLEEN DEFICIENCY PATIENTS

The medicinal moxa stick made by moxa wool combining with Chinese medicines of supporting the body resistance and strengthening the spleen was used to treat 74 cases of spleen deficiency, the other 41 patients as control were treated by pure moxa stick. After treatment, the serum gastrin, urinary D - xylose excretory rate and T cell subgroups in patients with spleen deficiency have been greatly improved as compared with those before treatment in two groups (P< 0.01 or 0.05). Comparing the changes of the indexes between treatment group and control group, there were significant(P<0.05), or markedly significant(P<0.01) differences. It indicated that the medicinal moxibustion could improve the secreting and absorbing functions of digestive tract and the cellular immune function in patients with spleen deficiency.

Observation on the Therapeutical Effect of Adjuvant Arthritis in Rats with Medicinal Indirect Moxibustion

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Operating procedures of moxibustion technology

Moxibustion therapy is a treatment and health-care method that originated from China.It is a kind of therapy for preventing and treating diseases by stimulating meridians and acupoints using heat to regulate the viscera and enhance immunity.This article introduces the definition and mechanism of moxibustion technology,clinical operation technics,and precautions of moxibustion in practice,and demonstrates plenty of iconic cases of application of moxibustion in the treatment of insomnia,dysmenorrhea,urinary retention,knee arthritis,chronic eczema,etc.,so as to provide a reference for the wide application of moxibustion technology.

An inspiration to the studies on mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion action derived from 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

The editorial board of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine recently convened an academic seminar with a focus on studies regarding the mechanisms mediating acupuncture efficacy and moxibustion action inspired by the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.Specifically,Professor Bailong Xiao introduced the Nobel Prize for research on the mechanically activated Piezo ion channel,evaluating the structure of the Piezo channel and its physiological and pathological functions,and proposed a possible role for the Piezo channel in acupuncture mechanical stimulation.Professor Michael Xi Zhu introduced the discovery of the transient receptor potential(TRP)family,reporting that the therapeutic effects of Chinese medicine and acupuncture may be achieved via the TRP family,and that information regarding associations between the meridian and lymphatic systems may have important research and medical value.In addition,Professor Tianle Xu reviewed the history of ion channel research,particularly the physiological and pharmacological effects of non-classical ion channels(eg,the acid sensing ion channel family)and pointed out that the characterization and neural circuits of acupuncture deqi manipulation are important for elucidating the mechanisms of acupuncture actions.Professor Yongming Li similarly proposed that the 2021 Nobel Prize may open the door to disclosing the histological basis of acupuncture and moxibustion and analyzing the main scientific concerns regarding the clinical translation of acupuncture and moxibustion from basic to translational research.Finally,Professor Yi Guo summarized the study progress of the acupoint microenvironment induced by acupuncture over the course of nearly 30 years and put forward the hypothesis that acupuncture may initiate the physical-chemical coupling network by activating ion channel receptors in acupoints via physical and mechanical stimulation.Therefore,we conclude that a primary achievement of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is in helping interpret how acupuncture and moxibustion adjust homeostasis(ie,by activating mechanical and thermal sensation),which is conducive to validating and promoting the clinical efficacy of acupuncture modalities.

Research progress on insomnia treated by traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture based on microbial-gut-brain axis theory

Insomnia,as one of the emotional diseases,has been increasing in recent years,which has a great impact on people's life and work.Therefore,researchers are eager to find a more perfect treatment.The microbiome-gut-brain axis is a new theory that has gradually become popular abroad in recent years and has a profound impact in the field of insomnia.In recent years,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has played an increasingly important role in the treatment of insomnia,especially acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.It is the main method of TCM in the treatment of insomnia.This paper mainly reviews the combination degree of"microorganism-gut-brain axis"theory with TCM and acupuncture under the system of TCM.To explore the mechanism of TCM and acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia under the guidance of"microorganismgut-brain axis"theory,in order to provide a new idea for the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia.

Effects of ginger moxibustion combined with Chinese medicine iontophoresis on patients with primary dysmenorrhea

Objective:To observe the effects of Ginger moxibustion combined with iontophoresis with traditional Chinese medicine on the improvement of symptoms, serum platelet activating factor (PAF) level and uterine artery pulsation index in patients with primary dysmenorrhea.Methods 114 patients with primary dysmenorrhea who were treated in our hospital from August 2017 to February 2019 were divided into two groups according to the different treatment schemes. 57 patients in the control group were treated with ibuprofen capsules, and 57 patients in the study group were treated with Ginger moxibustion combined with iontophoresis with traditional Chinese medicine. After three menstrual cycles of treatment, the curative effect was evaluated and the improvement of symptoms was counted. PAF, PAF-AH and platelet adhesion rate were compared, uterine artery hemodynamics was measured, and levels of serum hs-CRP and IL-6 were measured.Results The overall response rate of the study group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the scores of different symptoms in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05), and the scores of different symptoms in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, PAF and platelet adhesion rate in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05), PAF-AH was significantly higher than that before treatment (P < 0.05), and PAF and platelet adhesion rate in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05), PAF-AH was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the pulsation index, resistance index and peak systolic-diastolic ratio in the study group were significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05), and the pulsation index, resistance index and peak systolic-diastolic ratio in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum hs-CRP and IL-6 in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05), and the levels of serum hs-CRP and IL-6 in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05).Conclusions Ginger moxibustion combined with iontophoresis with traditional Chinese medicine is helpful to improve the overall response rate of primary dysmenorrhea treatment, reduce the score levels of different symptoms, rationally improve PAF, PAF-AH, platelet adhesion rate, and the pulse index, resistance index, peak systolic-diastolic ratio are decreased significantly, and serum hs-CRP and IL-6 levels tend to be normal.

Effect of mild moxibustion on intestinal microbiota and NLRP6 inflammasome signaling in rats with post-inflammatory irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND About one-third of refractory irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)cases are caused by gastrointestinal(GI)infection/inflammation,known as post-infectious/postinflammatory IBS(PI-IBS).Although it is known that intestinal microbiota and host NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 6(NLRP6)inflammsome signaling are closely related to PI-IBS and moxibustion has a therapeutic effect on PI-IBS,whether moxibustion regulates the intestinal flora and host NLRP6 events in PI-IBS remains unclear.AIM To examine the regulatory effect of moxibustion on intestinal microbiota and host NLRP6 inflammatory signaling in PI-IBS.METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a normal control group,a model control group,a mild moxibustion group,and a sham mild moxibustion group.PI-IBS rats in the mild moxibustion group were treated with moxibusiton at bilateral Tianshu(ST 25)and Zusanli(ST36)for 7 consecutive days for 10 min each time.The sham group rats were given the same treatment as the mild moxibustion group except the moxa stick was not ignited.Abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR)score was measured to assess the visceral sensitivity,and colon histopathology and ultrastructure,colonic myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity,and serum C-reactive protein(CRP)level were measured to evaluate low-grade colonic inflammation in rats.The relative abundance of selected intestinal bacteria in rat feces was detected by 16S rDNA PCR and the NLRP6 inflammsome signaling in the colon was detected by immunofluorescence,qRTPCR,and Western blot.RESULTS The AWR score was significantly decreased and the low-grade intestinal inflammation reflected by serum CRP and colonic MPO levels was inhibited in the mild moxibustion group compared with the sham group.Mild moxibustion remarkably increased the relative DNA abundances of Lactobacillus,Bifidobacterium,and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii but decreased that of Escherichia coli in the gut of PI-IBS rats.Additionally,mild moxibustion induced mRNA and protein expression of intestine lectin 1 but inhibited the expression of IL-1β,IL-18,and resistance-like moleculeβby promoting the NLRP6 and reducing the mRNA and protein expression of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD(ASC)and cysteinyl-aspartate-specific proteinase 1(Caspase-1).The relative DNA abundances of Lactobacillus,Bifidobacteria,Faecalibacterium prausnitzii,and Escherichia coli in each group were correlated with the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP6,ASC,and Caspase-1 in the colon.CONCLUSION These findings indicated that mild moxibustion can relieve low-grade GI inflammation and alleviate visceral hypersensitivity in PI-IBS by regulating intestinal microbes and controlling NLRP6 inflammasome signaling.

Heat-sensitive moxibustion attenuates the inflammation after focal cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury

Heat-sensitive moxibustion has neuroprotective effects against focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, however its mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, rat models of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury were treated with suspended moxibustion at acupoint Dazhui （DU14） for 35 minutes. Results showed that suspended moxibustion decreased infarct volume, reduced cortical myeloperoxidase activity, and suppressed serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines in rats with focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Our experimental findings indicated that heat-sensitive moxibustion can attenuate inflammation and promote repair after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Efficacy of suspended moxibustion in stroke rats is associated with a change in tail temperature

Suspended moxibustion-produced heat can transfer from the acupoint to other sites of the body. The suspended moxibustion should be terminated when clinical propagated sensation disappears, because this implies that the quantity of moxibustion is sufficient. We wanted to investigate if this phenomenon also occurs in experimental animals. In the present study, a rat model of stroke was established and treated with suspended moxibustion at Dazhui （DU14）for 60 minutes. Results showed that the increase in tail temperature began at 15 minutes after suspended moxibustion and decreased gradually at 40 minutes. In addition, neurological function was significantly improved in stroke rats with tail temperature increase following suspended moxibustion, and this effect was associated with significantly reduced tumor necrosis factor a and interleukin 113 mRNA. However, there was no significant difference between 40- and 60-minute suspended moxibustion. The findings indicate that elevated tail temperature began to decrease at 40 minutes after suspended moxibustion, and further suspended moxibustion was not useful in the recovery of stroke rats.

Randomized controlled trial: Moxibustion and acupuncture for the treatment of Crohn's disease

AIM: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of active Crohn&#x02019;s disease (CD).

Role of the nucleus tractus solitarii in the protection of pre-moxibustion on gastric mucosal lesions

Previous studies have shown that somatic sensation by acupuncture and visceral nociceptive stimulation can converge in the nucleus tractus solitarii where neurons integrate signals impact- ing on the function of organs. To explore the role of the nucleus tractus solitarii in the protective mechanism of pre-moxibustion on gastric mucosa, nucleus tractus solitarii were damaged in rats and pre-moxibustion treatment at the Zusanli （ST36） point followed. The gastric mucosa was then damaged by the anhydrous ethanol lavage method. Morphological observations, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, and western immunoblot analyses showed that gastric mucosa surface lesion and the infiltration of inflammatory cells were significantly ameliorated after pre-moxibustion treatment. Furthermore, the gastric mucosal damage index and somatostatin level were reduced, and epidermal growth factor content in the gastric mucosa and heat-shock protein-70 expression were increased. These results were reversed by damage to the nucleus tractus solitarii. These findings suggest that moxibustion pretreatment at the Zusanli point is protective against acute gastric mucosa injury, and nucleus tractus solitarii damage inhibits these responses. Therefore, the nucleus tractus solitarii may be an important area for regulating the signal transduction of the protective effect of pre-moxibustion on gastric mucosa.

Effect of moxibustion combined with five‑element music therapy on postoperative pain relief after mixed hemorrhoid operation

Objective:To investigate the effect of moxibustion combined with five‑element music therapy on the postoperative pain relief of patients undergoing surgical operation for mixed hemorrhoid with damp‑heat syndrome.Methods:Totally,159 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were assigned to the control group,study group 1,and study group 2,with 53 cases in each group.All patients received routine care after surgical treatment,including acupoint application and Chinese herbal fumigation.In addition,patients in the study group 1 received moxibustion,and those in the study group 2 were given moxibustion combined with five‑element music therapy.The degree of postoperative pain was evaluated using visual analog scale(VAS).Results:There was no significant difference in VAS score on pain during dressing changes among three groups(P>0.05).After 3,5,and 7 days of intervention,there was a significant difference in VAS score on pain at rest among three groups(P<0.001),and VAS score in the study group 2 was lower than that in the study group 1 and the control group after 3 and 5 days of intervention,respectively(P<0.05).Conclusion:Moxibustion combined with five‑element music therapy is effective to relieve the postoperative pain of patients undergoing a surgical operation for mixed hemorrhoids with damp‑heat syndrome.

Moxibustion upregulates hippocampal progranulin expression

In China,moxibustion is reported to be useful and has few side effects for chronic fatigue syndrome,but its mechanisms are largely unknown.More recently,the focus has been on the wealth of information supporting stress as a factor in chronic fatigue syndrome,and largely concerns dysregulation in the stress-related hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.In the present study,we aimed to determine the effect of moxibustion on behavioral symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome rats and examine possible mechanisms.Rats were subjected to a combination of chronic restraint stress and forced swimming to induce chronic fatigue syndrome.The acupoints Guanyuan（CV4） and Zusanli（ST36,bilateral） were simultaneously administered moxibustion.Untreated chronic fatigue syndrome rats and normal rats were used as controls.Results from the forced swimming test,open field test,tail suspension test,real-time PCR,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and western blot assay showed that moxibustion treatment decreased m RNA expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone in the hypothalamus,and adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone levels in plasma,and markedly increased progranulin m RNA and protein expression in the hippocampus.These findings suggest that moxibustion may relieve the behavioral symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome,at least in part,by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and upregulating hippocampal progranulin.