Investigation of wet cupping therapy’s effect on oxidative stress based on biochemical parameters

Abstract

IntroductionWet cupping therapy is one of the main applications which has been used in the Unani medicine system. Current literature explaining how this traditional treatment method works is still limited. The aim of this study was to investigate whether wet cupping therapy could affect reactive oxygen species and antioxidant levels. MethodsThis was a single arm pre and posttest intervention study conducted in Karabuk University Teaching and Research Hospital (KUTRH) between 1st January and 1st May 2018. Twenty-four participants were included. Wet Cupping Therapy was applied to all individuals once every month for three months. Venous blood samples were collected before the first (Venous1) and after the last application (Venous 2) and cupping blood samples were collected during the first and last applications. Malondialdehyde (MAD) and total oxidant status (TOS) which both indicate oxidation; glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant status (TAS), catalase (CAT) activities that indicate antioxidant effect, and protein levels were measured on the obtained serums. ResultsThe highest MDA and TOS levels and the lowest TAS, GSH, SOD and CAT levels were found in initial cupping blood. Significant improvement was observed in second cupping blood for these parameters when compared to initial values. We also found that MDA and TOS levels, as well as TAS, GSH, SOD and CAT levels, all changed favorably in the Venous 2 blood sample compared to the Venous 1 (p < 0.001). ConclusionWet cupping therapy seems a promising method for increasing antioxidant levels and curbing oxidative stress.