Extracellular signal-regulated kinase, substance P and neurokinin-1 are involved in the analgesic mechanism of herb-partitioned moxibustion

Herb-partitioned moxibustion can effectively mitigate visceral pain, a major symptom in inflammatory bowel disease, but the analgesic lnechanism is still unclear. Moreover, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, substance P, and neurokinin-1 are involved in formation of central hyperalgesia. Thus, we postulated that the analgesic effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion may be associated with these factors. Accordingly, in this study, we established an inflammatory bowel disease visceral pain model in rat by enema with a mixed solution of 5% trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid and 50% ethanol. Bilateral Tianshu （ST25） and Qihai （CV6） points were selected for herb-partitioned moxi- bustion. Our results showed that herb-partitioned moxibustion improved visceral pain and down-regulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, substance P, and neurokinin-1 protein and mRNA expression in dorsal root ganglia. These results indicate that down-regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, substance E and neurokinin-1 protein and mRNA may be a central mechanism for the analgesic effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion.

Herb-partitioned moxibustion alleviates colon injuries in ulcerative colitis rats

AIM To observe the effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion(HPM) on expression of colonic cytokines in ulcerative colitis(UC) rats.METHODS A UC rat model was established by protein immunization in combination with topical chemical stimulation.Rats in the HPM group(n = 8) received HPM at bilateral Tianshu(ST25) points.The gross injury and pathological scores of the colon were recorded.The expression profile of colonic cytokines was assayed using the protein microarray technique.Specific differential cytokines were selected and verified by ELISA.The corresponding Uni Prot Accessions of the differentially expressed cytokines were retrieved in the Uni Prot database.The pathways involved were analyzed with the help of the KEGG PATHWAY database.The DAVID database was used for functional cluster and pathway analysis.RESULTS HPM improved colon injuries in UC rats,manifested by accelerated repair of ulcers and alleviation of inflammation,and the gross injury and pathological scores both significantly decreased(P < 0.01).Fold change > 1.3 or < 0.77 was taken as the screening standard.There were 77 down-regulated and 9 up-regulated differentially expressed colonic cytokines in the HPM group compared with the model group,and expression of 20 differed significantly(P < 0.05).Twelve of the 20 significantly differentially expressed cytokines [β-catenin,interleukin-1 receptor 6(IL-1 R6),IL-1β,B7-1,nerve growth factor receptor,AMP-activated protein kinase-α1,neuropilin-2,orexin A,adipocyte differentiation-related protein,IL-2,Fas and Fas L] were up-regulated in the model group(n = 3,compared with the normal group) but downregulated in the HPM group(n = 3,compared with the model group).Functional cluster analysis showed that the differentially expressed colonic cytokines in the HPM group regulated apoptosis and protein phosphorylation.KEGG pathway analysis showed that 52 down-regulated and 7 up-regulated differentially expressed colonic cytokines in the HPM group had pathways.The pathways that interacted between the cytokines and their receptors accounted for the largest proportion(28 of the downregulated and 5 of the up-regulated cytokines).CONCLUSION HPM promotes the repair of colon injuries in UC rats,which is related to the regulation of several abnormally expressed cytokines.

Mechanism of electroacupuncture and herb-partitioned moxibustion on ulcerative colitis animal model:A study based on proteomics

BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic,nonspecific intestinal inflammatory disease.Acupuncture and moxibustion is proved effective in treating UC,but the mechanism has not been clarified.Proteomic technology has revealed a variety of biological markers related to immunity and inflammation in UC,which provide new insights and directions for the study of mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of UC.AIM To investigate the mechanism of electroacupuncture(EA)and herb-partitioned moxibustion(HM)on UC rats by using proteomics technology.METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the normal(N)group,the dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced UC model(M)group,the HM group,and the EA group.UC rat model was prepared with 3%DSS,and HM and EA interventions at the bilateral Tianshu and Qihai acupoints were performed in HM or EA group.Haematoxylin and eosin staining was used for morphological evaluation of colon tissues.Isotope-labeled relative and absolute quantification(iTRAQ)and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were performed for proteome analysis of the colon tissues,followed by bioinformatics analysis and protein-protein interaction networks establishment of differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)between groups.Then western blot was used for verification of selected DEPs.RESULTS The macroscopic colon injury scores and histopathology scores in the HM and EA groups were significantly decreased compared to the rats in the M group(P<0.01).Compared with the N group,a total of 202 DEPs were identified in the M group,including 111 up-regulated proteins and 91 down-regulated proteins,of which 25 and 15 proteins were reversed after HM and EA interventions,respectively.The DEPs were involved in various biological processes such as biological regulation,immune system progression and in multiple pathways including natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity,intestinal immune network for immunoglobulin A(IgA)production,and FcγR-mediated phagocytosis.The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways of DEPs between HM and M groups,EA and M groups both included immuneassociated and oxidative phosphorylation.Network analysis revealed that multiple pathways for the DEPs of each group were involved in protein-protein interactions,and the expression of oxidative phosphorylation pathway-related proteins,including ATP synthase subunit g(ATP5L),ATP synthase beta subunit precursor(Atp5f),cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 isoform 1(Cox4i1)were down-regulated after HM and EA interventions.Subsequent verification of selected DEPs(Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A;nuclear cap binding protein subunit 1;carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1;Cox4i1;ATP synthase subunit b,Atp5f1;doublecortin like kinase 3)by western blot confirmed the reliability of the iTRAQ data,HM and EA interventions can significantly downregulate the expression of oxidative phosphorylation-associated proteins(Cox4i1,Atp5f1)(P<0.01).CONCLUSION EA and HM could regulate the expression of ATP5L,Atp5f1,Cox4i1 that associated with oxidative phosphorylation,then might regulate immune-related pathways of intestinal immune network for IgA production,FcγR-mediated phagocytosis,thereby alleviating colonic inflammation of DSSinduced UC rats.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Herb-Partitioned Moxibustion in the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the clinical effects of herb-partitioned moxibustion on patients with primary dysmenorrhea. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials of herb-partitioned moxibustion for primary dysmenorrhea published from the year the database was established to November, 2017 were searched from CNKI,Wanfang Database, VIP database, CBM, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Data extraction and quality evaluation were performed in papers meeting inclusion criteria. The outcomes measurements included clinical effect rate, visual analogue score(VAS), plasma PGF2α, adverse events, recurrence rate, and quality of life. The Rev Man 5.3 software was applied for meta-analysis. RESULTS:(1) A total of 16 studies were eligible and included in the meta-analysis involved1126 patients.(2) A statistically significant increasing in clinical effective rate was found in HMP group compared with control group [OR=3.49, 95%CI(2.25, 5.39), P<0.00001].(3) There was significant difference between two groups in visual analogue score [MD=–7.48, 95%CI(–9.93, –5.02), P<0.00001], which suggested the patients who received HPM had lower VAS scales than those who received no HPM.(4) There was significantly difference in serum PGF2α between the groups receiving HPM and the control group [MD=–4.61, 95%CI(–9.19, –0.03), P=0.05].(5) 2 trials reported followup duration, and all included studies did not mention the recurrence of PD during the follow-up stage, and all included studies did not mention the improvement of quality of life of PD during period of management and follow-up stage.CONCLUSIONS: Herb-partitioned moxibustion is beneficial for primary dysmenorrhea. However, the conclusion is not completely accurate with limitations of the current RCTs. The safety of herb-partitioned moxibustion remains to be defined by future studies. Attention should be paid to long-term effects of herb-partitioned moxibustion in clinical research. High-quality RCTs are required to confirm the effectiveness of herb-partitioned moxibustion for primary dysmenorrhea.

Herb-partitioned moxibustion regulated the miRNA expression profile in the thyroid tissues of rats with experimental autoimmune thyroiditis

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion(HPM)on the miRNA expression profile of thyroid tissue in experimental autoimmune thyroiditis(EAT)rats.METHODS:Rats were randomly divided into normal control(NC)group,EAT model(EAT)group,HPM group and western medicine(Med)group.EAT model rats were prepared by a combined immunization with complete and incomplete Freund’s adjuvant emulsified with porcine thyroglobulin and iodine.Rats in the HPM group were treated with HPM,while rats in the Med group were treated with levothyrocine(1μg/2 m L)by gavage.HE staining was used to observe the pathological morphological changes of thyroid tissue,ELISAs was uaed to detect the serum concentrations of TGAb,TPOAb,FT3,FT4,TSH.We then performed high-throughput mi RNA sequencing to analyse the mi RNA expression profiles in the thyroid tissues,followed by a bioinformatics analysis.RT-q PCR was used to verify the identified differentially expressed mi RNAs.RESULTS:HPM improved the thyroid tissue morphology and reduced serum TPOAb,TGAb,TSH concentration in EAT rats(P<0.05),but with no obvious effect on FT3 and FT4 concentration.While the TSH,FT3 and FT4 concentration was significantly changed in the Med group(P<0.01 or P<0.05)compared with that of EAT group.Sequencing results showed that a total of 17 mi RNAs were upregulated,and 4 were downregulated in the EAT rats,in which the expression levels of mi R-346 and mi R-331-5 p were reversed by HPM.The target genes of the mi RNAs that regulated by HPM wereassociated with a variety of immune factors and immune signals.RT-q PCR verification showed that the expression of mi RNA-346 and mi RNA-331-5 p was consistent with the sequencing results.CONCLUSIONS:HPM could regulate the the expression of mi RNA-346 and mi RNA-331-5 p,then act on their target genes to immune and inflammation-related pathways,which may be one of the mechanisms of HPM on EAT rats.

Effect of Herb-Partitioned Moxibustion on Structure and Functional Prediction of Gut Microbiota in Rats with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea

Objective:The objective of this study was to observe the effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion(HPM)on the gut microbiota of rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D).Materials and Methods:A total of 48 male rats were randomly divided into a normal control group and an irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)model group.Using acetic acid irrigation and constraint stress,an IBS-D rat model was developed.After the model was made,the IBS rats were divided into IBS,HPM group,and pinaverium bromide(PB)group.The HPM received HPM for 20 min every day,while the PB was given gastric perfusion once a day for 14 days.After modeling and treatment,the abdominal withdrawal reflex,fecal character score,and fecal water content of rats were scored,and a 16S rRNA sequencing analysis was performed on the gut microbiota.Results:After treatment,the fecal character score and fecal water content in the HPM increased significantly,while visceral sensitivity decreased.Investigation of 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that α-diversity was reduced in the IBS,and HPM could increase the diversity of flora.The flora structure of IBS-D rats changed.HPM can increase the abundance of probiotics such as Akkermansia and reduce the abundance of opportunistic pathogens such as Bacteroides and Prevotella.Functional prediction analysis showed that the HPM was mainly related to the bacillary secret system,tricarboxylic acid cycle,and other pathways.Conclusion:HPM can regulate the gut microbiota of rats with IBS-D.

Effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion on dopamine levels and dopamine receptor 1 expression in the colon and central nervous system in rats with Crohn’s disease

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion at the Tianshu (ST 25) and Qihai (CV 6) acupoints in rats with Crohn's disease,and explore the underlying mechanism from dopamine (DA) and dopamine receptor 1 (D1 R) in the colon,spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus.METHODS:The rats were randomly divided into the normal,model (CD),herb-partitioned moxibustion (Mox) and mesalazine (Mesa) groups.Damage in the colons was scored and observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.DA and D1R protein expression in the colonic mucosa were detected by immunohistochemistry.The concentrations of DA and D1R in the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and D1R mRNA expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS:In the colon,compared with the normal group,DA,D1 R protein expressions and D1 R mRNA expression were significantly higher in the model group,while decreased in the Mox group and the Mesa group.In the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus,compared with the normal group,the concentrations of DA and D1 R,and the D1R mRNA expressions were significantly higher in the model group,and decreased in the Mox group and the Mesa group.CONCLUSION:Herb-partitioned moxibustion at the Tianshu (ST 25) and Qihai (CV 6) acupoints relieved ulceration in CD rats,the underlying mechanism maybe relative with the regulation of DA and D1R in the colon,spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus by moxibustion.

Effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion for primary dysmenorrhea:a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion(HPM) for primary dysmenorrhea.METHODS: Six hundred and forty patients were randomized assigned(1∶1) to HPM group and control group. Duration of treatment was 3 months with 3 month follow-up. The primary outcome was pain relief measured by visual analogue scale(VAS). The second outcomes were Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale(CMSS), menstrual pain duration and frequency of analgesics usage. The exploratory outcome included quality of life,RESULTS: After the 3-month treatment and follow-ups, the pain intensity measured by VAS was significantly reduced in both groups compared with baseline(P < 0.05), and it was significantly decreased in HPM group than that of control group(P < 0.001). The higher proportion of participants in the HPM group had a decrease of at least 50% in VAS at the end of treatment, as compared with the control group(P < 0.001). At the 3 rd and 6 th month, the menstrual pain duration, CMSS score and frequency of analgesics usage in HPM group were significantly lower than those of control group(P < 0.05). After 3 month treatment and follow-ups,the scores of physical, psychological, social and environmental domains were significantly increased than baseline in both groups(P < 0.05),and the sores of physical, psychological and environmental domains were significantly higher in HPM group than those of control group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Herb-partitioned moxibustion reduced menstrual pain and improved quality of life,these were sustained for up to 3 months after treatment. Further research is needed to understand long term effect and the mechanism of the intervention.

Effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion on pain and quality of life in women with endometriosis: a protocol for a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion(HPM) on pain and quality of life in women with endometriosis.METHODS: Thirty-six patients will be randomly assigned to a treatment group or a wait-list control group. The treatment group will receive 12 sessions of HPM in the lower abdomen and lumbosacral region for 3 months. Wait-list participants will not receive any specific treatments until the trial is completed.RESULTS: The primary outcome measure is pain intensity assessed by a Visual Analogue Scale at baseline, months 1, 2, and 3 in the treatment period,and months 4, 5, and 6 in the follow-up period. Secondary outcome measures include quality of life assessed by the Short Form 36 Health Survey, change in CA125, change in cyst diameter(assessed by ultrasound examination), and rescue medication dosage.CONCLUSION: This study will provide evidence to confirm if HPM may be used as a therapeutic option for treating endometriosis.

Effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion in improving tight junctions of intestinal epithelium in Crohn disease mediated by TNF-α-NF-κB-MLCK pathway

Objective:To explore the effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion(HPM)on tight junctions(TJs)of intestinal epithelial cells in Crohn disease(CD)mediated by tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)-nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)-myosin-light-chain kinase(MLCK)pathway.Methods:Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal control(NC)group,a model control(MC)group,an HPM group and a mesalazine(MESA)group,with 12 rats in each group.Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)was administered to establish CD models.When the model was confirmed a success,the HPM group rats were treated with HPM at Tianshu(ST 25)and Qihai(CV 6),while the MESA group rats were given MESA solution by lavage.When the intervention finished,the colonic epithelial tissues were separated,purified and cultured in each group to establish the intestinal epithelial barrier model in vitro,and TNF-αwas added(100 ng/mL)in the culture medium and maintained for 24 h to establish an increased epithelial permeability model.Transepithelial electrical resistance(TEER)was used to examine the permeability of the barrier;Western blot was used to observe the expressions of the proteins related to TJs of intestinal epithelial cells mediated by TNF-α-NF-κB-MLCK pathway;immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the expressions and distributions of tight junction proteins in the intestinal epithelium.Results:After TNF-αinduction,compared with the MC+TNF-αgroup,the TEER value increased significantly in the HPM+TNF-αand MESA+TNF-αgroups(both P<0.001);the expressions of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)p65,MLCK,myosin light chain(MLC),tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6)and receptor interaction protein-1(RIP1)decreased significantly(P<0.01 or P<0.05),and the expression of zinc finger protein A20(A20)increased significantly(P<0.01);the expressions of occludin,claudin-1,zonula occludens protein 1(ZO-1)and F-actin also increased significantly(all P<0.01).Compared with the MESA+TNF-αgroup,the expressions of MLC,occludin,claudin-1,ZO-1 and F-actin increased significantly in the HPM+TNF-αgroup(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusion:HPM can protect or repair the damage of intestinal epithelial barrier in CD rats,which may be achieved through modulating the abnormal TJs in intestinal epithelium mediated by TNF-α-NF-κB-MLCK pathway.

Influence of herb-partitioned moxibustion at Qihai (CV6) and bilateral Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) acupoints on toll-like receptors 4 signaling pathways in patients with ulcerative colitis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of herb-partitioned moxibustion(HPM) at Qihai(CV6), Tianshu(ST25) and Shangjuxu(ST37) acupoints in relieving symptoms and the immune regulation of HPM on the toll-like receptors 4(TLR4) signaling pathway in ulcerative colitis(UC) patients.METHODS: A randomized, single-blind study was conducted 63 patients to receive HPM or sham HPM treatment. The efficacy outcomes included scores of the Mayo, Baron, inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire(IBDQ), self-rating depression scale(SDS), self-rating anxiety scale(SAS). HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of the colon. The expression of inflammatory cytokines and TLR4 signaling pathway related molecules were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: Baron, SDS, SAS scores were significantly decreased in moxibustion group(P < 0.05), IBDQ score was significantly greater in the moxibustion group than in the sham moxibustion group(P < 0.05). Histopathology of mucosal biopsies showed that both two groups improved in mucosa after treatment. The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-2, interleukin-12, interferon-γ, and TLR4, lipopolysaccharide, myeloid differentiation factor 88, interleukin receptor associated kinase, tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6 and nuclear factor kappa-B p65 were significantly lower in the moxibustion group than in the sham moxibustion group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: This study showed that HPM at Qihai(CV6), Tianshu(ST25) and Shangjuxu(ST37) acupoints is effective to relieve symptoms, anxiety, depression and improving life quality in UC patients,which may be related to the immune regulation of HPM on TLR4 signaling pathway.

Efficacy of herb-partitioned moxibustion at Qihai(CV 6) and bilateral Tianshu(ST 25) on colonic damage and the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in rats with Crohn＇s disease

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of stimulating Qihai(CV 6) and bilateral Tianshu(ST 25) with herb-partitioned moxibustion(HPM) in rats with Crohn's disease(CD), and to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory mechanism of HPM.METHODS: Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups(n = 10 rats per group): normal control(NC), model control(MC), mesalamine(MES), and HPM. The CD rat model was established in the MC,MES, and HPM groups by administering a mixture of trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid and alcohol via enema. The HPM group received HPM on Qihai(CV 6)and bilateral Tianshu(ST 25), while the MES group received intragastric mesalamine. Colonic histomorphological scores, and serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) and interleukin 1β(IL-1β) were assessed to evaluate the effects of HPM on colonic reparation and anti-inflammation.The expressions of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR-4), nuclear factor κB inhibitor α(IκB-α), IκB kinase α/β(IKKα/β), and NF-κB p65 were further analyzed to investigate the regulatory effects of the interventions on the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.RESULTS: CD rats showed inflammatory colonic damage and increased serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β. The expressions of TLR4, IKKα/β,and NF-κB p65 in the colons of CD rats were significantly increased compared with the NC group,while the expression of IκBα(a key negative regulator of NF-κB p65) was decreased. HPM significantly mitigated colonic damage and reduced the serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β. HPM downregulated the expressions of TLR4, IKKα/β, and NF-κB p65 in the colon, and upregulated the expression of IκBα. The effects of HPM in CD rats were similar to those of mesalamine.CONCLUSION: HPM alleviates colonic inflammation in CD rats. This may be achieved through regulation of TLR4, which induces NF-κB signal transduction.

Effectiveness of herb-partitioned moxibustion combined with electroacupuncture on polycystic ovary syndrome in patients with symptom pattern of kidney deficiency and phlegm-dampness

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion combined with electroacupuncture on polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)in patients with symptom pattern of kidney deficiency and phlegm-dampness.METHODS:Totally 62 PCOS patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into intervention group and control group.In the intervention group,acupoints were subjected to(43±1)℃herb-partitioned moxibustion and electroacupuncture treatment.In the control group,acupoints were subjected to(37±1)℃herb-partitioned moxibustion and sham electroacupuncture treatment.Treatment was provided 3 times per week for 12 weeks,and the treatment was stopped during menstruation.After the treatment,the clinical efficacy,the Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)symptom pattern score,basal body temperature(BBT)levels,menstrual cycle,and related sex hormone levels of the two groups were evaluated.RESULTS:Sixty patients were eventually included in the study(30 in the intervention group and 30 in the control group).There were not obvious between-group differences in the baseline efficacy parameters(all P>0.05).(a)After treatment,the two groups have improved in terms of clinical efficacy,TCM symptom pattern score,menstrual cycle and,BBT(P<0.01,<0.05),and the intervention group was better than the control group(P<0.01,<0.05).(b)In the intervention group,the estradiol(E2)and P450 aromatase(P450 arom)levels were increased(all P<0.05),the testosterone(T)level was decreased(P<0.05),and the luteotropic hormone(LH)and anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH)levels were significantly decreased(P<0.01).In the control group,E2 level was increased(P<0.05),and LH level was decreased(P<0.05).After treatment,the T,LH,and AMH levels of the intervention group were decreased compared with those of the control group(all P<0.05),and the P450 arom level was increased(P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Herb-partitioned moxibustion combined with electroacupuncture can effectively improve the related clinical symptoms of PCOS patients with kidney deficiency and phlegm-dampness.Herb-partitioned moxibustion combined with electroacupuncture may inhibit the overexpression of AMH to increase the expression level of P450 arom in ovarian granulosa cells,thereby reconstructing the dependence of follicular development on FSH,and finally improving abnormal follicular development and hyperandrogenism in PCOS patients with kidney deficiency and phlegmdampness.

Effects of Herb-partitioned Moxibustion and Electroacupuncture on Serum Indexes of Intestinal Fibrosis in Rats with Crohn’s Disease

Objective：To observe the impact of herb-partitioned moxibustion and electroacupuncture on hyaluronic acid（HA）,procollagen Ⅲ（PC Ⅲ）and collagen Ⅳ（CⅣ）of intestinal fibrosis in rats with Crohn＇s disease（CD）,and discuss the effect and the mechanism of acupuncture on treating intestinal fibrosis of rats.Methods：SD rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,herb-partitioned moxibustion group,electroacupuncture group and medicine group.The model of CD was developed by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid.Masson stain was used to observe the collagen fibers hyperplasia in colon and radioimmunoassay was adopted to detect the content of HA,PC Ⅲ and C Ⅳ in serum.Results：Compared with the control group,the proliferation of colonic collagen fibers,as well as the HA,PC Ⅲ and CⅣ in serum increased in the model group.Compared with the model group,the expression of collagen fibers,serum HA,PC Ⅲ and C Ⅳ decreased in the herb-partitioned moxibustion group,electroacupuncture group and medicine group.The expression of collagen fibers serum HA,PC Ⅲ and C Ⅳ in the herb-partitioned moxibustion group were lower than in the electroacupuncture group and medicine group.Conclusion：Herb-partitioned moxibustion and electroacupuncture effectively improved the pathological state of intestinal fibrosis in rats with CD and reduced the content of HA,PC Ⅲ and C Ⅳ in serum.

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.

The“Ukiyo”of Moxibustion Reflected in the Ukiyo-e

Ukiyo-e(浮世絵)was a genre of popular art during the Edo and Meiji periods in Japan.Moxibustion,which was originally introduced from China,was also in its heyday and became one of the popular topics for ukiyo-e artists at that time.Using the images as historical evidence perspective,this article focuses on the moxibustion used in daily life in Japan depicted in the ukiyo-e arts.With the perspective of acu-moxa therapy,one may identify some specific issues in the acupoint selection,leading to the discovery of special application of moxibustion used by the group of yūjo(遊女)at that time.The article concludes by exploring gender issues in ukiyo-e arts and the implications of punishment attached to moxibustion treatment.

Effect of three-volt moxibustion with helium-neon laser irradiation on quality of care in patients with lumbar radiculopathy spondylosis

BACKGROUND Lumbar radiculopathy spondylosis is a relatively common orthopedic disease with a high incidence rate.It most commonly occurs in the lumbar 4-5 and lumbar 5-sacral 1 vertebrae,which account for approximately 95%of cases.It mostly occurs in people aged 30-50 years old and greatly affects their quality of life.AIM To determine the effect of triple-voltage acupuncture combined with helium-neon laser irradiation on the quality of care and improvement of symptoms in patients with lumbar radiculopathy spondylolisthesis.METHODS In this study,we selected 120 patients with lumbar radiculopathy spondylosis who were treated at our hospital between June 2019 to June 2020.The patients were divided into control and observation groups according to the random number table method,with 60 patients in each group.Patients in the observation group were treated with three-volt moxibustion combined with helium-neon laser irradiation,and those in the control group were treated with lumbar traction.After 1 month of treatment,the lumbar pain scores,lumbar spine motor functions,clinical treatment effects,and nursing satisfaction of the two groups were compared.RESULTS The results showed that acupuncture combined with laser irradiation significantly improved the patients'clinical symptoms,i.e.,reduced their low back pain,significantly lower numerical rating scale pain scores in the observation group than in the control group,and better lumbar spine motility than in the control group,compared to lumbar traction.In addition,they were cared for.The treatment effectiveness rate of the observation group was 95.5%,which was significantly higher than that of the control group(81.67%).Satisfaction with care was higher than 90 points in both groups,but the difference was not statistically significant.CONCLUSION Our study provides a clinical rationale for the future treatment of patients with lumbar spine disease.However,further extensive research is needed for validation.

Research progress and key scientific problems of traditional Chinese moxibustion

Moxibustion Moxibustion(written as“jiū(灸)”in Chinese),also known as“jiūruò(灸焫)”in ancient Chinese,was described in the ancient Chinese book Shuo Wen Jie Zi as having the meaning of burning and possessing the properties of fire,while sharing the same pronunciation as“jiǔ(久).”“Moxibustion is a method of curing diseases that uses lighted moxa to press and cauterize acupoints.”Moxibustion is a traditional external treatment method that involves the application of moxa wool or other materials,either directly or indirectly(such as through burning or fumigation),to stimulate specific points or areas on body surface.It is used for purposes such as prevention,treatment,rehabilitation,and health care.Moxibustion originated in ancient times,prevailed during the Qin and Han dynasties(221 B.C.E.–220 C.E.),experienced a period of decline during the Ming and Qing dynasties(1368–1912 C.E.),and was revitalized in the contemporary era.

Moxibustion at ST36 activates peritoneal macrophages in CTX-induced immunosuppression in mouse model via IFN-γ

Background:To explored whether moxa cone moxibustion can reduce peritoneal inflammation by increasing the content of peritoneal macrophages and B cells via interferon-gamma.Methods:The mice were randomly divided into three groups with six mice in each group:the control group,model group,and moxibustion group,and the model was established in mice using cyclophosphamide.In the moxibustion group,the mice received moxa cone moxibustion at Zusanli(ST36)for 7 days.Analysis of Peritoneal cell were detected by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence,the protein expression level in the peritoneal fluid were measured with mouse cytokine antibody arrays and verified by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay test,and RNA-Sequencing was used for peritoneal cell RNA analysis.Results:Our results showed that moxa cone moxibustion could reduce the loss of large peritoneal macrophages and B1 cells(P<0.05).With the cytokine array analysis and enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay test of peritoneal fluid,we found that IFN‐γwas up-regulated in moxibustion group(P<0.05).There were 169 genes were down-regulated in the model group and up-regulated in the moxibustion group while 19 genes that were up-regulated in the model group and down-regulated in the moxibustion group via RNA-sequencing.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis of 188 intersect differentially expressed genes were found that the top 3 pathways with the highest enrichment of up-regulated genes included Hematopoietic cell lineage,Inflammatory bowel disease and Malaria.The differentially expressed genes visualization protein-protein interaction network shows the top 10 genes including Ifng,Grb2,CCR7,CTLA4,CXCR5,Foxp3,kit,PRF1,CD5 and klrg1.Conclusion:These findings showed that moxa cone moxibustion can alleviate chemotherapy-induced diarrhea by reducing the loss of large peritoneal macrophages and B1 cells in the peritoneal cavity,possibly through up-regulating inflammatory bowel disease signaling pathway via interferon-gamma to regulate the survival and function of large peritoneal macrophages and B1 cells.

International Communication of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Popular in the West

With the development of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)acupuncture and moxibustion,research on acupuncture and moxibustion in the Western world is deepening.The concept of acupuncture and moxibustion popular in the West is formed.By investigating the localization of acupuncture and moxibustion in the Western world,this paper introduces several kinds of acupuncture and moxibustion popular in the West and concludes the spread of acupuncture and moxibustion popular in the West through hospitals and clinics,academic works,social organizations,education,and training.This paper provides a global vision developing domestic acupuncture and moxibustion and promoting academic prosperity and technical progress of world acupuncture and moxibustion system.