Effect of combined medicated thread moxibustion plus needle picking therapy of Zhuang nationality medicine on antioxidant levels in a rat model of sciatica

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and underlying mechanisms of combined medicated thread moxibustion therapy plus needle picking therapy of Zhuang nationality medicine on antioxidant levels in a rat model of sciatica.METHODS: One hundred Wistar rats, of specific pathogen free level, were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group, model group,medicated thread moxibustion group, needle picking group, and combination group. Each group contained 20 rats. In the model, medicated thread moxibustion, needle picking, and combination groups,sciatica models were established through chronicconstriction injury of the sciatic nerve. After the model was established, the rats in the medicated thread moxibustion, needle picking, and combination groups were given the corresponding therapies for 21 days. The control and model groups received no treatment. Reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity changes were determined.Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH) oxidase subunit NADPH oxidases 4(NOX4) m RNA expression and the morphology of cells were observed to detect apoptosis of gamma-aminobutyric acid ergic(GABAergic) neurons.RESULTS: Compared with control group, reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels rose significantly in the model group(P < 0.01), while superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity levels were lowered(P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde decreased in the needle picking group(P < 0.05), while superoxide dismutase levels were increased(P < 0.05); reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde significantly decreased in the combination group(P < 0.01). In addition, the model group had higher NOX4 m RNA expression than that of the control group(P < 0.05), and the combination group had lower expression levels than that of the model group(P < 0.05). Apoptosis of GABAergic neurons was observed in the model group, and was attenuated after combined therapy.CONCLUSION: The medicated thread moxibustion therapy plus needle picking therapy of Zhuang nationality medicine can prevent oxidative damage in the rat model of sciatica via down-regulating NOX4 expression, improving antioxidant capacity, and in-hibiting the oxidative damage pathway of GABAergic neurons.

Treatment of Psoriasis Vulgaris with Medicated Thread Moxibustion of Zhuang Medicine:A Multicenter Randomized,Parallel Controlled Trial

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of Zhuang medicine medicated thread moxibustion(ZMTM)on psoriasis vulgaris.Methods:A multicenter,randomized,parallel controlled clinical trial was designed.A total of 241 outpatients with psoriasis vulgaris were randomly divided into a control group(120 cases)and a treatment group(121 cases)using a central block randomization from June 2015 to May 2018.The control group was treated with Western medicines alone including pidotimod dispersible tablets,vitamin B compound tablets,and compound cod liver oil-zinc oxide ointment.The treatment group was treated with ZMTM every 2 days combined with Western medicines.The two groups received continuous intervention for 30 days.The primary outcome was Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(PASI),and the secondary outcomes included Itch Rating Scale,Dermatology Quality of Life Index(DLQI),Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale(HAMA),as well as PASI response rate.Meanwhile,adverse events were evaluated during the whole clinical trial.Follow-up was carried out 30 days after treatment.Results:There were 5 cases of shedding in this trial.In intention-to-treat analysis,236 cases were included and each group contained 118 cases.On the 30th and 60th days,PASI scores of patients in each group were significantly lower than that at baseline(P<0.01)and the PASI score reduction of the treatment group was greater than that of the control group(P<0.01).Itch Rating Scale,DLQI,and HAMA scale were decreased in both groups after treatment,and the treatment group showed a better therapeutic effect(P<0.01).The response rates of PASI 50 and 75 were significantly higher than those in the control group[81.4%(96/118),43.2%(51/118)vs.41.5%(49/118),11.0%(13/118),respectively,P<0.05].During follow-up,the improvements in scores of PASI,Itch Rating Scale,DLQI,and HAMA of the treatment group were significantly greater than those of the control group(P<0.01).The response rates of PASI 50 and 75 in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group,respectively(both P<0.05).No obvious adverse reaction was found in either group.Conclusion:ZMTM combined with Western medicines showed a better therapeutic effect in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris without obvious adverse reaction.(Trial Registration No.ChiCTR-IOR-16008159)