Objective:To search all available sources to find incontrovertible scientific explanation of the meridian system and mechanism of acupuncture action.Methods:Extensive search of electronic databases was carried out to ...Objective:To search all available sources to find incontrovertible scientific explanation of the meridian system and mechanism of acupuncture action.Methods:Extensive search of electronic databases was carried out to identify all published scientific articles,research papers and experimental findings regarding meridian system,acupuncture points and mechanisms of acupuncture action,from both English and Chinese language journals,from inception till date.Results:There are many hypotheses and studies about meridian system such as,primovascular system as meridian,nuclear tracers study to locate the track of meridian,infrared imaging studies to prove existence of meridians,investigations about anatomical structure of acupoints,etc.There are many researches and theories about mechanism of acupuncture action such as gate control theory of acupuncture analgesia,neurotransmitters,neuro-endocrine-immune network,fMRI evidences of brain’s processing of pain signal etc.Conclusion:Researchers over half a century discovered many factual information about meridian system,acupoints,neuro-transmitters and acupuncture analgesia,neuro-hormonal mechanism etc.All these important discoveries contributed to clarify the mysteries of meridian system and acupuncture action,but they still fell short of providing an incontrovertible scientific explanation.Further coordinated studies are warranted to explore more plausible and scientifically valid explanation of meridian system and acupuncture action.展开更多
基金Supported by The National Social Science Fund of China:19BYY077。
文摘Objective:To search all available sources to find incontrovertible scientific explanation of the meridian system and mechanism of acupuncture action.Methods:Extensive search of electronic databases was carried out to identify all published scientific articles,research papers and experimental findings regarding meridian system,acupuncture points and mechanisms of acupuncture action,from both English and Chinese language journals,from inception till date.Results:There are many hypotheses and studies about meridian system such as,primovascular system as meridian,nuclear tracers study to locate the track of meridian,infrared imaging studies to prove existence of meridians,investigations about anatomical structure of acupoints,etc.There are many researches and theories about mechanism of acupuncture action such as gate control theory of acupuncture analgesia,neurotransmitters,neuro-endocrine-immune network,fMRI evidences of brain’s processing of pain signal etc.Conclusion:Researchers over half a century discovered many factual information about meridian system,acupoints,neuro-transmitters and acupuncture analgesia,neuro-hormonal mechanism etc.All these important discoveries contributed to clarify the mysteries of meridian system and acupuncture action,but they still fell short of providing an incontrovertible scientific explanation.Further coordinated studies are warranted to explore more plausible and scientifically valid explanation of meridian system and acupuncture action.
