Piezo Proteins and their role in Cupping Therapy (Hijama); An Interpretation of Novel Mechanism

Abstract

Piezo proteins are ion channel proteins found in various cells of the human body which detect mechanical forces and convert them into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the nervous system. Recent research has shown that these proteins play an important role in a number of physiological processes, including touch sensation, hearing, proliferation, pain modulation and blood pressure regulation. Further research is ongoing to understand the importance of piezo proteins in human health and disease, that could lead to develop the newer therapies for a wide range of conditions. Some physical therapies including Cupping therapy (CT) (Hijama), a well-known regimental therapy in Greco-Arab (Unani) and Chinese medicine, is reported to treat a variety of diseases like, blood pressure and prevents cardiovascular diseases. It is also effective in treating oral and genital ulceration, musculoskeletal pain, nonspecific low back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, headache and migraine. Besides various theories hypothesized to explain mechanism of cupping therapy, the piezo protein gates intruded by this therapy may be the best feasible way to understand the mechanism of action of cupping. This novel hypothetical mechanism could pave the way for more researches in medical field especially in chronic ailments. 
 Key words: Cupping, Human Health, Pain, Piezo protein, Unani