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.

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.

多发性枯筋箭案

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.