Anti-aging effects of moxa cone moxibustion As a free radical scavenger complement

Therapies that complement free radical scavenging are an important approach for treating aging in the brain. In the present study, two formulations of moxa cone moxibustion were applied at acupoints Zusanfi （ST 36） and Xuanzhong （GB 39）, and at acupoints Baihui （DU 20） and Guanyuan （RN 4）, in D-galactose-induced senile mice. The results revealed that moxa cone moxibustion improved total superoxide dismutase and Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase activity in the homogenates of the cerebral tissue, as well as ameliorating deficits in neuronal morphology and neuronal density in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal CA3. Moxa cone moxibustion also enhanced learning and memory functions of senile mice. Moxa cone moxibustion at Zusanli, Xuanzhong, Baihuiand Guanyuan acupoints can thus be used to complement free radical scavengers, with efficacy that is equal to that of electroacupuncture at Zusanliand Xuanzhong, and superior to that of nimodipine treatment.

Clinical observation of the effects of moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone plus opioid drugs on cancer pain and immune function

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone plus opioid drugs for moderate-to・severe cancer pain,and the effect on immune function in patients with cancer pain.Methods:A total of 80 patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain were randomized into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method,with 40 cases in each group.Both groups were treated with opioid drugs for an algesia accordi ng to the stan dardized man agement prin ciples for cancer pain.In addition,the observati on group was given moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone.The treatment was performed once a day,continuous 5-day treatment with a 2-day interval constituted a treatment course,and a total of 2 courses were performed.The score of numerical rating scale(NRS)and 24 h eq ui vale nt morphi ne consumpti on was compared betwee n the two groups before treatment,after 1 treatment course and after 2 courses of treatment.The immune functions were compared between the two groups before and after 2 courses of treatment.Results:During the treatment,there were 3 dropouts in the control group,and 2 dropouts in the observation group.Before the treatme nt,there were no sign ificant differe nces in the NRS score and 24 h equivale nt morphine consumpti on betwee n the two groups(both P>0.05).The NRS scores of both two groups were quite stable during the whole treatment period,and there was no significant differenee in the intra-group comparison after treatment(both P>0.05),and there was no significant difference between the two groups at the same time point(both P>0.05).In the control group,the 24 h equivale nt morphine con sumpti on showed an in creasi ng trend.The dosage after 1 treatme nt course and 2 courses of treatment was statistically different from that before treatment in the control group(both P<0.01).There was no significant cha nge in the mea n 24 h equivale nt morphi ne con sumpti on in the observati on group compared with that before treatme nt(both P>0.05).After 2 courses of treatme nt,the 24 h equivale nt morphine con sumpti on in the observati on group was significantly lower than that in the control group at the same time point(P<0.05).Before treatment,there was no significant difference in the levels of T lymphocyte subsets(CD3:CD4+and CD4+/CD8+)between the two groups(all P>0.05).After treatment the levels of T lymphocyte subsets(CD3+Z CD4+and CD4+/CD8+)in the control group were lower than those before treatment(all P<0.05),while the levels in the observation group were higher than those before treatment,and the levels of CD3+and CD4+were significantly different from those before treatment(both P<0.05).After treatment,the levels of T lymphocyte subsets(CD3+,CD4+and CD4+/CD8+)of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group at the same time point(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone can reduce the dosage of opioid drugs used in patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain and improve their immune functions.

Clinical Observation on Moxa Cone Moxibustion Treatment for Chronic Diarrhea

Objective： To observe the therapeutic effect of moxa cone moxibustion for chronic intractable diarrhea. Methods： Sixty cases in conformity with the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups randomly. Thirty cases in the treatment group were treated by moxa cone moxibustion on Pishu （BL 20） and Shenshu （BL 23）, while 30 cases in the control group were treated by oral administration of herbal medicine. The therapeutic effects were compared after one treatment course. Results： The total effective rate was higher in the treatment group than that in the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant （P0.05）. Conclusion： Moxa cone moxibustion is better than oral administration of herbal medicine in treatment of chronic intractable diarrhea.

Clinical observation on wheat grain-sized cone moxibustion combined with fire needle for dorsal wrist ganglion

Objective：To observe the clinical effect of wheat grain-sized cone moxibustion combined with fire needle therapy in the treatment of dorsal wrist ganglion （DWG）. Methods：A total of 63 patients with DWG were randomized into a treatment group （n=32） and a control group （n=31）. Cases in the control group were treated with fire needle therapy. Based on the therapy given to the control group, cases in the treatment group were additionally given wheat grain-sized cone moxibustion therapy. Then the therapeutic efficacies and recurrence rate were evaluated. Results：After treatment, the overall effective rate was 93.8% in the treatment group, versus 77.4% in the control group, and the between-group comparison showed a statistical significance （P〈0.05）; 6 months after the treatment, the recurrence rate in the treatment group was obviously lower than that in the control group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion：The long-term and short-term effects of wheat grain-sized cone moxibustion combined with fire needle therapy in the treatment of DWG are better than those of fire needle therapy alone, and therefore, worth popularizing.

A preparation mould for moxa cone: its design and application

To improve the preparation speed and quality of moxa cone, a mould for preparation of moxa cone was designed and applied in moxibustion. It consists three parts： a foundation（a flat-bottomed circular cylinder hollow in center）, a moxa cone forming tube（a hollow column encircled by two semi-cylinders with symmetrical shape and size, and was inserted in the internal cavity of the foundation）; and a compression rod（a solid cylinder used for compressing moxa placed in moxa cone forming tube）. The mould is practical, simple, and convenient and can effectively speed up the preparation of moxa cone, and it is safe in application. Moreover, the obtained moxa cones are regular in shape, uniform in dosage and size, dense in texture, and convenient to pack, store and carry.

Evaluation of the reliability and validity of the modified Morisky scale for patient's compliance with moxibustion

Objective： A questionnaire for the compliance with moxibustion was designed based on the 4-item Morisky scale, and the reliability and validity of the questionnaire was investigated. Methods： A modified Morisky scale was designed based on the 4-item Morisky scale for the compliance with moxibustion, and 146 patients having received moxibustion for over 2 weeks were investigated using this scale to evaluate their compliance with moxibustion; the internal equity and the construct validity of the scale were statistically analyzed. Results： The analysis of reliability showed that in item of internal consistency, the Cronbach＇s α was 0.72 and the split-half coefficient was 0.71, the correlation coefficients between the 4 component scores and the total score ranged 0.67-0.80, and the between-component correlation coefficients ranged 0.24-0.56; the exploratory factor analysis（EFA） totally extracted 1 common factor, and the explicable variation was 55.02%, and the loads of the 4 items were respectively 0.82, 0.81, 0.74 and 0.58. Conclusion： The reliability and validity of the modified Morisky scale for the compliance with moxibustion are acceptable, while several items need further modification and improvement in the expression and content.

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.

Effect of direct moxibustion on blood pressure and clinical symptoms in elderly patients with essential hypertension

Objective： To assess the effects of direct moxibustion on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure （ABP） and clinical symptoms of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in elderly patients with essential hypertension, and to explore the antihypertensive effect and influencing factors of moxibustion. Methods： A total of 101 elderly hypertension patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to a direct moxibustion I group （n=33）, a direct moxibustion II group （n=34）, and a control group （n----34）. The treatment of calcium antagonist （CCB） or angiotensin II receptor antagonist （ARB） was adopted in the control group. The treatment of direct moxibustion I plus the same medicine as the control group were adopted in the direct moxibustion I group, five cones per acupoint and three times per week, for 5 weeks in total. The treatment of direct moxibustion II plus the same medicine as the control group were adopted in the direct moxibustion II group, five cones per acupoint and three times per week, for 5 weeks in total. The changes of 24-hour ABP and clinical symptoms of TCM after treatment were compared in the three groups. Results： The mean 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure （mean 24 h ASBP）, night ASBP, percentage of mean 24-hour ambulatory diastolic blood pressure （mean 24 h ADBP）~90 mmHg, and percentage of day ADBP^90 mmHg in the control group were elevated after treatment （P^0.05）. The percentage of night ADBP^80 mmHg in the direct moxibustion I group was reduced by treatment （P〈0.01）. There were no significant differences in the other outcome measures of 24 h ABP, such as day ASBP, percentage of mean 24 h ASBP^140 mmHg, percentage of day ASBP^140 mmHg, percentage of night ASBP 〉120 mmHg, mean 24 h ADBP, day ADBP, night ADBP, 24 h ambulatory pulse pressure （APP）, after treatment in all groups （P^0.05）. The degree of improvement of the clinical symptoms of TCM showed significant differences among the three groups of patients （P^0.01）. The total effective rate in the direct moxibustion I group was 73.3%, which was superior to those in the direct moxibustion II group and control group （13.3% and 10.0%, respectively）. Conclusion： The direct moxibustion has benign regulative effect on blood pressure of elderly patients with essential hypertension, and improves their clinical symptoms. The direct moxibustion method I （burning the next moxa cone after the previous one had totally burnt out） was superior to method II （burning the next moxa cone when the previous one had not totally burnt out ） in lowering blood pressure and improving symptoms of elderly patients with essential hypertension.

Research progress on factors influencing therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion

As a crucial component of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy, moxibustion has been extensively propagated and used with its significant efficacy, simple operation, inconspicuous adverse effects and less sufferings. There are a variety of factors that influence the therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion. The influencing factors, including moxibustion dose （moxibustion duration, distance between moxa and skin, size and number of moxa cone）, selection of points, moxibustion sensations, and the type of moxibustion were analyzed and summarized, to provide references for approaching the maximum efficacy of moxibustion in clinic.

Clinical observation on tuina plus Baixiao moxibustion for temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of tuina plus Baixiao moxibustion in the treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome(TJDS).Methods:A total of 70 TJDS patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into an observation group and a control group by flipping a coin,with 35 cases in each group.Patients in the observation group were treated with tuina plus Baixiao moxibustion,while patients in the control group received oral intake of diclofenac potassium(75 mg/pill),1 pill after every dinner.Both tuina and Baixiao moxibustion were done once a day during treatment.The therapeutic evaluation was evaluated after 10 treatments in both groups.The maximum mouth opening distanee and visual analog scale(VAS)were observed before and after treatment,and the therapeutic efficacy was also compared.Results:After treatment,the maximum mouth opening distanee and VAS improved in both groups(all P<0.05);both items in the observation group were superior to those in the control group(both P<00.05).The total effective rate was 91.4%in the observation group,versus 74.3%in the control group,and the between-group comparison of the total effective rate showed statistical significanee(P<0.05).Conclusion:Tuina plus Baixiao moxibustion can effectively improve TJDS patient's temporomandibular joint function and alleviate pain,with better efficacy than oral intake of diclofenac potassium.

Therapeutic observation of grain-sized moxibustion for chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression for non-small cell lung cancer

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of grain-sized moxibustion in treating chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its effect on quality of life (QOL). Methods: Eighty NSCLC patients admitted to the Inpatient Department of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital between September 2016 and March 2018 were recruited and divided into an observation group and a control group by random number method, with 40 cases in each group. The two groups both received chemotherapy with paclitaxel plus cisplatin (TP regimen). The control group received oral administration of leucogen tablets starting from the first day of chemotherapy, 20 mg each time, three times a day, for consecutive 14 d;the observation group was additionally given grain-sized moxibustion, once a day, five days per week at a two-day interval, until the fourteenth day. The myelosuppression severity was observed and compared between the two groups prior to chemotherapy, at the 3rd, 7th and 14th days of chemotherapy;the QOL in the two groups was evaluated before chemotherapy, at the 14th and 21st days of chemotherapy. Results: Regarding myelosuppression, the peripheral blood indicators increased significantly at the 3rd day of chemotherapy in both groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01);at the 7th and 14th days of chemotherapy, the peripheral blood indicators presented a decreasing tendency in the two groups, but the level in the observation group was still significantly higher than that before chemotherapy (P<0.01);at the 3rd, 7th and 14th days of chemotherapy, the peripheral blood indicators in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01);the occurrence rate of myelosuppression in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). The QOL score in the observation group was markedly higher than that in the control group at the 14th and 21st days of chemotherapy (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Grain-sized moxibustion can effectively improve myelosuppression after chemotherapy for NSCLC, reducing its occurrence and enhancing the patient's QOL.

Effect of Preventive Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Hypothalamus and Ovarian Leptin and Blood Lipid Levels in Menopausal Rats

Objective:To observe the changes of hypothalamus, ovarian leptin levels and blood lipid in 12-month-old rats with natural menopause, and the effect of preventive acupuncture and moxibustion at Guanyuan (CV 4). To explore the impact of preventive acupuncture and moxibustion on the internal environment of early menopause disorder. Methods:Menopausal female rats were screened by vaginal smear. Rat model of menopause was obtained by natural aging method. Preventive acupuncture and moxibustion at Guanyuan (CV 4) was used as intervention methods. Hypothalamus and ovarian leptin levels were detected by radioimmunoassay. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were determined by biochemical methods. Results:Compared with the young control group, leptin levels in the hypothalamus and ovarian increased (P<0.01), plasma TC increased (P<0.05), LDL increased (P<0.01), and HDL reduced in 12-month-old rats. Hypothalamus and ovary leptin levels in 12-month-old rats with preventive acupuncture and moxibustion were significantly decreased (P<0.01); plasma TC and LDL levels decreased and HDL levels were increased in rats with preventive acupuncture (P<0.05). Conclusion:Preventive acupuncture and moxibustion can improve leptin resistance state and restore the abnormal lipid levels in menopausal body, and therefore can slow down the disorder of inner environment in early menopause.

Grain-sized moxibustion inhibits the progression of Alzheimer disease in 5XFAD transgenic mice

Objective To investigate whether grain-sized moxibustion at Xinshu(BL15)and Shenshu(BL23)can alleviate cognitive decline and other pathologic features in early-stage Alzheimer disease(AD)using transgenic mice with 5 familial AD mutations(5XFAD).Methods The genotype of transgenic mice was detected by polymerase chain reaction.A total of 40 transgenic mice(1.5 months old)were randomly and equally allocated to an AD model group(5XFAD group)or a grain-sized moxibustion group(5XFAD+GM group),with 20 wild-type(WT)mice(C57BL/6J)serving as the normal control group(WT group).Mice in the 5XFAD+GM group were treated by grain-sized moxibustion at bilateral Xinshu(BL15)and Shenshu(BL23).Mice in the WT group and 5XFAD group received no treatment but were restrained to ensure exposure to a similar experimental condition.Cognitive function and memory were assessed with the Morris water maze and Y-maze tests.The amyloidβ40(Aβ40)and amyloidβ42(Aβ42)levels in the brain were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;amyloid plaque deposition in brain tissue sections was detected by thioflavin-S staining;the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),cluster of differentiation 11b(CD11b),brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),and choline acetyltransferase(ChAT)in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.Results In the Morris water maze test,compared with the 5XFAD group,mice in the 5XFAD+GM group had a shorter escape latency and more target area crossings and spent more time in the target quadrant(P<0.05).In the Y-maze test,compared with the 5XFAD group,the number of training times of the 5XFAD+GM group was significantly decreased(P<0.05),together with more correct responses(P<0.05).Compared with the 5XFAD group,the levels of Aβ40 and Aβ42 in the brain tissue of the 5XFAD+GM group were significantly lower(P<0.05);in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex,the total number of amyloidβplaque deposition were significantly lower(P<0.05);the expression levels of GFAP and CD11b were significantly reduced(P<0.05);and the expression levels of ChAT and BDNF were significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Grain-sized moxibustion at Xinshu(BL15)and Shenshu(BL23)greatly improves learning and memory functions,decreases the levels of Aβ40 and Aβ42,inhibits amyloidβplaque deposition,decreases the expression of GFAP and CD11b,and increases the expression of ChAT and BDNF in AD mice to inhibit the progression of AD.

Case of multiple verruca plantaris

A female student,23 years old,suffering from multiple warts scattered on the right sole for 2 years and pain on the bottom of the first metatarsal bone when walking for 1 month.The case was diagnosed as kujinjian(枯筋箭)in traditional Chinese medicine and verruca plantaris in western medicine.At the beginning of treatment,fire needling therapy was applied to local lesions,once every two days.Afterwards,moxibustion with moxa cone was used at the local lesions,once a day,three cones on each lesion till warts were dropped.Simultaneously,in combination,mild moxibustion was given at bilateral Zusanli(足三里ST36)for 15 min,once a day.After three times of moxibustion therapy,a part of warts were crusted and 3 weeks later,all the warts were dropped.No recurrence was found in the follow-up visit.The therapeutic methods of this case are simple in manipulation and satisfactory in therapeutic effect.