SUMMARY OF RESEARCHES ON THE TREATMENT OF PROTRUSION OF LUMBAR INTERVERTEBRAL DISC BY"SHE-BIE" OINTMENT-PARTITION MOXIBUSTION

In the present paper the authors sum up their research results about "She-Bie" (black-tail snake-ground beetle) Ointment-partition moxibustion for treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion (LIDP). Animal experiments showed that when used externally, "She-Bie" Ointment had striking anti-inflammation and pain-relief actions but had no irritant and no allergic effects to the skin. In the treatment of mild type of LIDP, "She-Bie" Ointment partition moxibustion could work well in improving clinical symptoms; and in the treatment of moderate type of LIDP, it could be used as a supplementary measure and raise the excellent and good rates of the therapeutic effect further. For this reason, "She-Bie" Ointment partition moxibustion deserves being popularized in clinical treatment of LIDP.

Case examples of indirect moxibustion in treating viscera diseases

Indirect moxibustion is used to treat qi constraint amenorrhea, chest bi due to congealing cold, spleen deficiency diarrhea, cough and panting due to lung deficiency, enuresis with kidney deficiency and other diseases with satisfactory treatment effects. It is believed that indirect moxibustion is characterized by simple and effective acupoint selection and broad indications. During the treatments, quantity and duration of moxibustion should be determined according to the practical pathogenetic conditions and state of an illness, and the propagated sensation along meridians is regarded as the better treatment effect for the patients.

Clinical efficacy observation on treatment of primary dysmenorrhea with ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Zigong(EX-CA 1)

Objective： To investigate the clinical effect of ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Zigong（EX-CA 1） for primary dysmenorrhea. Methods： A total of 112 patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomized into an observation group and a control group according to their visiting sequence, 56 cases in each group. Patients in the observation group received ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Zigong（EX-CA 1）, while patients in the control group received oral intake of analgesic. For both groups, treatment started 1 week before menstruation and lasted for 3 menstrual cycles, continued by a 3-month follow-up visit, then the clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results： By the end of treatment, symptom score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group, showing a statistical significance（P〈0.05）. After 3 months of treatment, the value of prostaglandin F2 a（PGF2α）, systolic-to-diastolic peak velocity ratio（S/D）, resistance index（RI） and pulsatility index（PI） in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, showing statistical significances（all P〈0.01）.The recovery rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, showing a statistical significance（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Zigong（EX-CA 1） for primary dysmenorrhea is a combination of the merits of warming function of moxibustion, dissipating function of ginger and stimulation of acupoint, and is better than oral intake of analgesic.

Can moxibustion, an ancient treatment modality, be evaluated in a double-blind randomized controlled trial? —— A narrative review

For thousands of years, moxibustion has been used for various diseases in China and other Asian countries. Despite the recent surge in Chinese herbal studies, few randomized controlled trials have been conducted on this modality, possibly due to the lacking of suitable double blinding methodology. This is a review of extant sham moxa devices and an introduction to a recently developed device that needs further validation.

Observation on the effects of different partitioned moxibustion in treating ulcerative colitis

Objective：To observe the clinical effect and syndrome scores improvements of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion（HPM） and ginger-partitioned moxibustion（GPM） in treating ulcerative colitis（UC）.Methods：A total of 65 eligible cases were randomly divided into a HPM group（n=32） and a GPM group（n=33） according to their visiting order.Bilateral Tianshu（ST 25） and Dachangshu（BL 25） were selected for the HPM or the GPM treatment once daily,12 d as a treatment course with a 3-day interval,6 courses in all.The clinical effect,syndrome scale and Mayo scale were evaluated and compared between the two groups.Results：Of the 65 cases enrolled,2 cases dropped out in the HPM group and 3 cases dropped out in the GPM group,30 cases of each group finished the treatment courses.The total effective rate is 93.3% in HPM group and 86.7% in the GPM group,there was no statistically significant difference in the total effective rate between the two groups（P〉0.05）;there were statistically significant differences between the two groups in score evaluation of lasting time of abdominal pain and frequency of diarrhea,HPM is prior to GPM（P=0.032,P=0.044）.There are no statistical significant differences between the two groups in scores evaluation of general symptom,three main symptoms,quality of life（QOL）,frequency and severity of abdominal pain,times,and pattern of diarrhea（all P〉0.05）.There was a statistical significant difference in the improvement of Mayo score between the two groups,and HPM was superior to GPM（P=0.048）.Conclusion：HPM and GPM are both promising ways to treat UC,and the total effect is quite similar.HPM is superior to GPM in the improvement of lasting time of abdominal pain and frequency of diarrhea,and also the Mayo score.

Effect of ginger-partitioned moxibustion on immunocytokines in patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis

Objective： To observe the effect of ginger-partitioned moxibustion on immunocytokines in patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis （CNP）. Methods： A total of 80 CNP patients were randomly allocated into two groups according to their visiting sequence, 40 cases in each group. Cases in the observation group were treated with oral Tamsulosin Hydrochloride Sustained Release Capsules （Harnal） （0.2 mg for each dose, one dose a day） and ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Qihai （CV 6）, Guanyuan （CV 4）, Zhongji （CV 3） and bilateral Zusanli （ST 36）, Sanyinjiao （SP 6）, Pangguangshu （BL 28）, Shangliao （BL 31）, Ciliao （BL 32）, Zhongliao （BL 33） and Xialiao （BL 34） （once a day）. Cases in the control group were treated with the oral Western medication alone （same administration as those in the observation group）. Cases in both groups were treated for 28 d. Before and after treatment, the CD3＋, CD4＋, CDB＋, CD4＋ CD25＋, CD4＋ CD25＋ Foxp3＋, transforming growth factor （TGF）-β1, immunoglobulin （Ig） A, IgE, IgG and IgM were detected and scored using National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index （NIH-CPSI）. Results： The total effective rate was 90.0% in the observation group, versus 72.5% in the control group, showing a statistical difference （P〈0.05）. After treatment, the CD3＋, CD4＋, CD8＋, CD4＋ CD25＋, CD4＋ CD25＋ Foxp3＋, TGF-131, IgA, IgG and IgM were significantly increased in both groups, showing statistical differences （P〈0.05）. There were between-group statistical differences in CD3＋, CD4＋, CD8＋, CD4＋ CD25＋, CD4＋ CD25＋ Foxp3＋, TGF-131, IgA, IgG, IgE, IgM, total NIH-CPSI score and pain and discomfort score （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Ginger-partitioned moxibustion can improve clinical symptoms of CNP patients by improving their immune function.

Review on Clinical and Mechanism Studies of Moxibustion Therapy for Chronic Gastritis

By computer research, the literature of clinical and experimental studies on moxibustion therapy for chronic gastritis in the recent fifteen years was collected, sorted and analyzed, in order to understand the general situation about the clinical and experimental studies on moxibustion therapy for chronic gastritis, summarize the regularity of moxibustion therapy for chronic gastritis, so as to guide the treatment of chronic gastritis.

Clinical observation on electroacupuncture plus long-snake moxibustion for rheumatoid arthritis due to kidney deficiency and cold coagulation

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture(EA)plus long-snake moxibustion for rheumatoid arthritis(RA)due to kidney deficiency and cold coagulation.Methods:A total of 60 patients in active stage of RA were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 30 cases in each group.Patients in the control group took methotrexate tablets and nimesulide dispersible tablets orally for treatment,while those in the observation group received additional treatment of EA plus long-snake moxibustion.Both groups were treated for 12 weeks.The post-treatment changes in symptomatic grading and quantifying score,disease activity score with 28 joint counts(DAS28),and inflammatory indicators erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR)and C-reactive protein(CRP)were observed,and the efficacy was evaluated.Results:The total effective rate in the observation group was 89.9%,versus 76.6%in the control group,and there was a significant difference in the total effective rate between the two groups(P<0.05).After treatment,the symptomatic grading and quantifying score and DAS28 in both groups were significantly improved(all P<0.05),and the improvements in the observation group were more significant than those in the control group(both P<0.05).Besides,there were 11 cases with low disease activity index(DAI)and in remission in the observation group versus 5 cases in the control group,showing a statistically significant between-group difference(P<0.05).The ESR and CRP scores in both groups were significantly reduced after treatment(all P<0.05),also showing statistically significant between-group differences(both P<0.05).Conclusion:The efficacy of additional EA plus long-snake moxibustion based on oral medications for RA due to kidney deficiency and cold coagulation is better than that of the oral medications alone.

Therapeutic observation of acupuncture plus turtle-shell-partitioned moxibustion for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus turtle-shell-partitioned moxibustion in treating diarrheapredominant irritable bowel syndrome（IBS-D）. Methods： Seventy-six patients were randomized into two groups： 39 cases in the observation group were intervened by acupuncture plus turtle-shell-partitioned moxibustion, while 37 cases in the control group by the same acupuncture treatment, once a day, 10 d as a treatment course, for 2 courses in total. The improvements of symptoms were observed at the end of the intervention in both groups. Results： The total effective rate was 89.7% in the observation group versus 67.6% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture plus turtle-shell-partitioned moxibustion can significantly improve the symptoms of IBS-D, and can produce a more significant efficacy than acupuncture alone.

Clinical observation on ginger-partitioned moxibustion plus manual repositioning for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV)

Objective： To investigate the clinical effect of ginger-partitioned moxibustion combined with manual repositioning for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo（BPPV）. Methods： A total of 76 BPPV cases were randomly allocated into an observation group（n=38） and a control group（n=38）. Patients in the observation group received ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Tinggong（SI 19） plus manual repositioning, whereas patients in the control group received the same manual repositioning alone. Results： After 48 h of treatment, the total effective rate was 94.7% in the observation group, versus 86.8% in the control group; after 7 d of treatment, the total effective rate was 78.9% in the observation group, versus 73.7% in the control group, both showing between-group statistical differences（P〈0.05）. The follow-up after 3 months showed that 2 cases（6.7%） got relapse in the observation group, versus 8 cases（28.6%） in the control group, showing a statistical difference（P〈0.05）. The adverse reaction rate was 2.6% in the observation group, versus 21.1% in the control group, showing a statistical difference（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Tinggong（SI 19） plus manual repositioning can obtain better effect for BPPV than manual repositioning alone. In addition, this therapy has stable efficacy and causes less adverse reactions.

Clinical Study on Herbal Cone-partitioned Moxibustion for Irritable Bowel Syndrome due to Spleen-qi Deficiency

Objective：To observe the clinical efficacy of herbal cone-partitioned moxibustion for irritable bowel syndrome（IBS） due to spleen deficiency. Methods：A total of 40 IBS cases due to spleen deficiency were randomly assigned to two groups,20 in each group. Cases in the moxibustion group were treated with herbal cone-partitioned moxibustion on Shenque（CV 8）,while cases in the control group were treated with oral Pinaverium. Results：The spleen deficiency symptoms of patients in both groups were significantly improved during the treatment and follow-up investigation,showing a statistical difference（P〈0.05）; however,herbal cone-partitioned moxibustion showed better results. Conclusion：Oral Pinaverium and herbal cone-partitioned moxibustion could both improve the spleen deficiency symptoms of IBS patients; however,the moxibustion on Shenque（CV 8） showed better results than Pinaverium.

Moxibustion on Governor Vessel for ankylosing spondylitis due to kidney yang deficiency:a clinical controlled study

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of moxibustion on Governor Vessel for ankylosing spondylitis（AS） due to kidney yang deficiency.Methods： A total of 60 patients of AS due to kidney yang deficiency were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group by random digital table, 30 cases in each group. Both of the two groups were treated by oral administration of Sulfasalazine tablets. Additionally, the treatment group was given moxibustion on Governor Vessel, and the control group was given sham moxibustion. The treatment was given once every other day, 4 weeks constituted one course, 2 courses in total. Before treatment, after 1-course and 2-course treatments, the quantified scores of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） syndromes and the symptoms scores recommended by AS International Society [including Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index（BASDAI）, visual analogue scale（VAS）, Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index（BASFI） and Bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index（BASMI）] were respectively observed and recorded, and the change of safety item was monitored. Results： After 1-course and 2-course treatments, the quantified scores of TCM syndromes were obviously improved than those before treatment in the two groups（P〈0.05）, and the score was improved better in the treatment group than that in the control group（P〈0.05）. In comparison within the group, there were no statistical differences between the scores after 1-course treatment and 2-course treatment in the two groups（P〈0.05）. After 1-course treatment, the items of the symptoms scores were improved than those before treatment in the two groups（P〉0.05）. After 2-course treatment, the therapeutic effect was more remarkable in the treatment group, with a statistical difference between the two groups（P〈0.05）. During treatment, no obvious abnormality in all safety items was noticed in the two groups. Conclusion： Moxibustion on Governor Vessel can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms of AS patients, without obvious adverse reaction.

Biophysical characteristics of moxibustion

In recent years, new progresses have been achieved on biophysical characteristics of moxibustion. Researches aimed at elucidating the mechanism of moxibustion therapy from the view of biophysics showed that the effectiveness of moxibustion is not only the result of thermal effect, but also the joint function of spectral radiation, bio-thermal effect and non-thermal bio-effect. Currently, multidiscipline techniques are applied on the related researches which have aroused extensive concern. It may explore new ideas and methods for further expounding of mechanism of moxibustion therapy. And it is also expected to provide experimental evidence for enhancing the therapeutic effect in clinic as well as designing moxibustion-like instruments. Therefore, the article has a comprehensive statement on subjects such as moxibustion and local body temperature, infrared spectrum characteristics of moxibustion, bio-thermal effect and energy conversion of moxibustion, bio-heat transfer of moxibustion and microcirculation.

Clinical Study on Combined Moxibustion and Medication for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of combined moxibustion and medication for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Methods： A total of 85 cases with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group. Forty-two cases in the observation group were treated with combined moxibustion with oral Levothyroxine Sodium tablets, whereas 43 cases in the control group were treated with oral Levothyroxine Sodium tablets alone. Then the scores of clinical symptoms and exophthalmos before and after treatment were compared. In addition, the time period for improvement of clinical symptoms in both groups were recorded and compared. Results： After one-month treatment, the scores of clinical symptoms and exophthalmos in the observation group were significantly improved than those in the control group （P0.05）; and it took less time for the cases in the observation group to get improvement compared with the control group. Conclusion： Combined moxibustion and oral Levothyroxine Sodium tablet is an efficient reliable therapy for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Regulatory effects of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on the expressions of IL-17,IL-23 and their mR NAs in the colon of rats with Crohn's disease

Objective： To observe the regulatory effects of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on Crohn＇s disease （CD） rat＇s colon inflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 （IL-17）, IL-23 and their mRNAs, and to investigate the action mechanism of moxibustion in treating CD. Methods： Forty SPF grade Sprague-Dauley （SD） male rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and a Western medicine group, with 20 rats in each group. Except the normal group, rats in the other three groups were used to make CD model by giving an enema in colon with Trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid （TNBS）. When the models were successful made, rats in the model group had no therapeutic intervention; rats in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group were subjected to herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion treatment at bilateral Tianshu （ST 25） plus O.ihai （CV 6）; and rats in the Western medicine group were given oral Mesalazine. After treatment, the histopathological changes and inflammatory cytokines IL-17, IL-23 and their mRNAs expressions were observed in descending colon by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining, immunohistochemistry （IHC） and real-time polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） methods. Results： Colon tissues of TNBS enema rat models showed cracks-like ulcers accompanied by mucous layer inflammation, granulomas, and inflammatory cytokines IL-27, IL-23 and their mRNAs expressions were all higher than those in the normal group （P〈O.01）; after intervention, colon tissue cracks-like ulcers and inflammation degree reduced, inflammatory cytokines IL-17, IL-23 and their mRNAs expressions were all significantly decreased （P〈0.01） in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the Western medicine group. Conclusion： Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion may improve colon tissue ulcers and relieve intestinal inflammation by down-regulation of IL-17, IL-23 and their mRNAs expressions in CD model rats＇ colonic mucosa.

Clinical Study on Anti-aging Action of Herbal Cake-partition Moxibustion

Objective： To investigate the clinical efficacy and immunological mechanism of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion for aging process. Method： The herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion was adopted for 223 cases to observe the aging scores before and after the treatment. Apart from that, the T-lymphocyte subsets and changes of IL-2 and β-EP were also detected. Results： After treatment, the aging scores of 223 cases were all substantially reduced, along with an improvement of clinical symptoms, a strengthened cellular immune function, and an increase of total T-lymphocyte count. In addition, the CD4＋/CD8＋ ratio was restored normal, the synthesis or secretion of IL-2 was increased and the β-EP （as the neurotransmitter to modulate immune function） was substantially improved. Conclusion： The aging process is closely associated with the immune function. Moxibustion can modulate abnormal immune function and stabilize homeostasis and thus delay the aging process.

Effects of ginger-partitioned moxibustion on the expression levels of PGF2α, E2, P, and mRNAs of PGF2αR and E2R in rats with primary dysmenorrhea due to cold-dampness stagnation

Objective To observe the effects of ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Shenque(CV8)and Guanyuan(CV4)on the expression levels of endocrine-related molecules and their receptors in rats with primary dysmenorrhea(PD)due to cold-dampness stagnation,thus to explore their analgesic mechanisms.Methods Thirty-two female Wistar rats were divided into a normal group,a model group,a ginger-partitioned moxibustion group,and a Western medicine group according to the random number table method,with 8 rats in each group.Except for rats in the normal group,all other rats were treated with oxytocin combined with ice-water bath to establish the rat models of PD due to cold-dampness stagnation.After successful modeling,rats in the normal group and the model group did not receive treatment;rats in the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group received treatments with ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Shenque(CV8)and Guanyuan(CV4);rats in the Western medicine group received ibuprofen by intragastric administration.The writhing response of rats was compared among groups,and the serum levels of prostaglandin F2α(PGF2α),estrogen(estradiol,E2),progesterone(P),and the mRNA expression of PGF2αand E2 receptors in the uterine tissues were detected.Results No writhing behavior was observed in the normal group;compared with the normal group,the serum PGF2αand E2 levels in the model group were increased(P<0.01),while the P level was decreased(P<0.01),and the mRNA expression levels of the uterine PGF2αand E2 receptors were increased(P<0.01,P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the writhing behavior latency was prolonged,and the writhing response score was decreased in the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group and the Western medicine group(P<0.01);the serum PGF2αand E2 levels in the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group and the Western medicine group were decreased,while the P level was increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);the mRNA expression levels of the uterine PGF2αand E2 receptors in the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group and the Western medicine group were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the Western medicine group,the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group showed a prolonged writhing behavior latency,reduced writhing response score(P<0.05),and decreased serum E2 level(P<0.05),while no statistical differences in the serum PGF2αand P levels,or the mRNA expression levels of uterine PGF2αand E2 receptors(P>0.05).Conclusion The analgesic effect of ginger-partitioned moxibustion on PD due to cold-dampness stagnation may be related to regulating the mRNA expression levels of PGF2αand E2 receptors in the uterine tissues.

Ginger-partitioned moxibustion plus pediatric massage for treating infantile diarrhea due to spleen deficiency:a randomized controlled clinical trial

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of ginger-partitioned moxibustion plus pediatric massage(tuina)in treating infantile diarrhea due to spleen deficiency.Methods:Ninety infants were randomly divided into a massage plus moxibustion group,a massage group and a drug group by the random number table method,with 30 cases in each group.The intervention was conducted for two consecutive courses.The infants in the massage plus moxibustion group were treated with pediatric massage and ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Shenque(CV 8).The infants in the massage group were treated with pediatric massage alone,while those in the drug group were treated with smecta.The primary and secondary symptom scales were assessed before and after treatment and at the follow-ups,and the total effective rate was evaluated after treatment.Results:The total effective rate in the massage plus moxibustion group was significantly different from that in the massage group and drug group(both P<0.05).After treatment,the scores of primary and secondary symptoms decreased in all three groups,with statistically significant intra-group differences(all P<0.05);the scores of primary symptoms were significantly different between the massage plus moxibustion group and the drug group(P<0.05);the scores of secondary symptoms in the massage plus moxibustion group and the massage group were significantly different from that in the drug group(both P<0.05).The differences in the time to recover normal bowel movement frequency among the three groups were not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion:Ginger-partitioned moxibustion plus pediatric massage compared with pediatric massage or smecta monotherapy shows superior clinical efficacy in treating infantile diarrhea due to spleen deficiency,and has the advantages of appetite improvement,physique strengthening and short course.

Observation on Therapeutic Effects of Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Primary Dysmenorrhea

Objective： To assess the clinical effects of acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea. Methods： 80 cases of the patients were randomly divided into two groups by single blind to 40 cases in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture plus ginger-partitioned moxibustion. 40 cases in the medication group were treated with oral administration of Ibuprofen sustained release capsules. The therapeutic effects were observed after continuous treatment for 3 months. Results： The total effective rate was 85.0% in the acupuncture group and 70.0% in the medication group, with statistical significance in comparison of differences between the two groups （P〈0.05） Conclusion： Acupuncture plus ginger-partitioned moxibustion is better than Ibuprofen sustained release capsules in treating dysmenorrhea.

Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea with Herb- partitioned Moxibustion plus Ultra-short Wave

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion plus ultra-short wave for primary dysmenorrhea(PD). Methods: One hundred and thirty patients with PD were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 65 cases in each group. Patients in the treatment group were treated with herb-partitioned moxibustion plus ultra-short wave, while patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of Ibuprofen sustained-release capsules. After completing three courses of treatments, the clinical effects were evaluated by professional researchers. Results: The recovery rate of the treatment group was 58.5%, and the total effective rater was 98.5%; versus 24.6% and 81.5% in the control group. The between-group differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). Conclusion: Herb-partitioned moxibustion plus ultra-short wave is an easy-to-operate and effective therapy for PD.