Moxibustion Treatment Research Articles

Moxibustion therapy in Chinese patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A randomized controlled pilot trial

IntroductionMoxibustion has been widely used in East Asia to manage patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effectiveness and safety of moxibustion therapy for treating AS. MethodsThis single-blind randomized controlled pilot study was conducted from August 2018 to January 2019 on 76 AS patients, who were randomly allocated to either a control (n = 32) or an intervention group (n = 30). The control group received conventional intervention alone, while the intervention group received in-patient moxibustion therapy in addition to their conventional intervention for four weeks. Musculoskeletal BATH scores, HRQoL(health-related quality of life), and blood samples were assessed at baseline and at the endpoint-week 6. ResultsMoxibustion significantly improved physical function and decreased disease activity, according to the BASFI (bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index) and BASDAI (bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity) indexes, respectively (p < 0.05), whereas the BASMI (bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index) index did not reveal significant differences between groups (p > 0.05). Additionally, moxibustion produced significant improvement in some domains of the SF-36 (Short form 36 health survey) HRQoL and ASQOL (ankylosing spondylitis quality of life) scale (p < 0.05), whereas no effect was observed in CRP (C-reactive protein) serum levels (p > 0.05). ConclusionMoxibustion in combination with conventional therapies may exhibit beneficial effects for AS patients in the short-term, such as improved physical function and health-related quality of life and decreased disease activity. However, these positive results should be interpreted with caution, as most of the included outcomes were limited to self-assessment tools, and there were no appropriate placebo controls or long-term follow-ups. Further research is needed that would utilize an appropriate moxibustion placebo device and include more objective outcomes, which could evaluate the long-term effectiveness of moxibustion interventions on AS.

Synergistic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on expression of renal Fas and FasL mRNAs and proteins in contrast-induced nephropathy diabetic rats

To observe the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on renal Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) expression in contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) diabetic rats, so as to explore its protective mechanisms. A total of 40 diabetic male SD rats were randomly divided into control, model, acupuncture, moxibustion and combined treatment (acupuncture combined with moxibustion) groups (n＝8 rats in each group). The diabetic model was established by i．p. injection of Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg), followed by regular raising for 9 weeks. Then, the manual acupuncture, moxibustion or acupuncture plus moxibustion at "Sanyinjiao"(SP6) "Shenshu"(BL23) and "Pishu"(BL20) was given to the diabetic rats, once daily for 7 days. On the 8th day, these diabetic rats received i．p. injection of compound Meglumine Diatrizoate Injection (10 mL/kg) for establishing CIN model. Then, the venous blood specimens were collected for detecting contents of serum urine nitrogen (BUN, with urease method) and creatinine (Scr, with picric acid method). The kindey tissues were exteriorized for detecting nitricoxide synthase (NOS, with oxidation-reduction method), malondialdehyde (MDA, with thiobarbituric acid method), superoxide dismutase (SOD, with xanthine oxidase technique) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC, with colorimetric technique). The expression levels of Fas and FasL in the kidney tissues were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot separately. The histopathological and ultrastructural changes of the kidney were observed under microscope (after H．E. staining) and transmission electron microscope, respectively. Following modeling and compared with the control group, the BUN, Scr and renal MDA contents, and Fas and FasL mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and renal NOS, SOD and T-AOC levels considerably decreased in the model group (P<0.05). After the interventions and compared with the model group, serum BUN and Scr contents and renal Fas mRNA and protein expression levels in both acupuncture group and combined treatment group, BUN in the moxibustion group, and renal MDA content and FasL mRNA and protein expression levels in the 3 treatment groups were obviously down-regulated (P<0.05，P<0.01), while renal NOS in the 3 treatment groups, and SOD and T-AOC levels in the combined treatment group were considerably up-regulated (P<0.01，P<0.05). The effects of the combined treatment were significantly superior to those of simple acupuncure and simple moxibustion in down-regulating serum BUN contents, and Fas and FasL mRNA and protein expression levels, and in up-regulating renal NOS, SOD and T-AOC activity (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between the acupuncture and moxibustion groups in down-regulating serum BUN, Scr and renal MDA contents, and Fas and FasL mRNA and protein levels, as well as in up-regulating NOS content (P>0.05). H．E. staining showed lobular changes of glomeruli, many local necrosis and vascular degeneration in the model group, and transmission electron microscope displayed thickened basement membrane of the glomerular blood loop, many vacuoles in the cytoplasm of renal tubular epithelial cells, severely swollen mitochondria with disordered, broken or disappeared cristae, and some apoptotic cells in the model group, which were relatively milder in the combined treatment group. Joint application of acupuncture and moxibustion can reduce the oxidative stress and renal injury in CIN diabetic rats, which may be associated with its function in down-regulating the expression of renal Fas and FasL genes and proteins. Acupuncture and moxibustion has a synergistic effect.

Acupuncture and moxibustion for the elderly patients with depression: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo identify the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy by soothing liver and regulating mind on the quality of life among the elders with depression. MethodsThis was a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial of 75 elders with depression conducted in Guangdong Province, China, in January to December 2010. Eligible patients were randomly divided into three treatment groups. 22 patients received acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of soothing liver and regulating mind [group A, in acupuncture procedure: Hégǔ (合谷 LI4), Tàichōng (太冲 LR3), Bǎihuì (百会 GV20) and Yìntáng (印堂 GV29) were selected, in moxibustion procedure, bilateral Géshū(膈俞 BL17) and Dǎnshū (胆俞 BL19) were selected, the moxibustion cones was placed on the acupoints, five cones were given to each point. In intradermal needling procedure, Xīnshū(心俞 BL15), and Gānshū (肝俞 BL18) were selected]. 28 patients received acupoint shallow puncturing treatment (group B, patients received the same acupoints as in the group A, with a 2–3 mm needling depth and no needle sensation was required. A shorter duration of moxibustion and only 1–2 mm of needle body was inserted into the points when intradermal needling). 25 patients received non-acupoint shallow puncturing treatment (group C, patients received non-acupoint shallow puncturing at points 10 mm lateral to LI4 and LR3, 10 mm left side of GV20 and GV29 in acupuncture procedure; 10 mm lateral to BL17 and BL19 in moxibustion procedure; 10 mm lateral to BL15 and BL18 in intradermal needling procedure, with the same manipulation method as that in the group B). In all three groups, the treatment was given twice a week for 12 weeks. The Short Form (36) Health Survey(SF36) and TCM Symptom Scale Score as clinical efficacy and quality of life were used to quantitatively assess patients' outcomes before and after treatment. ResultsThe TCM Symptom Scale scores showed significant differences between the group A and C, and between group B and C (both P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between group A and B (P > 0.05). An item-by-item analysis of the SF36 showed the elders in group A obtained the highest scores at each time point after treatment (all P < 0.05). Among the results, mental health and report health transition items showed no significant differences between the group A and group B at time point of after treatment (all P > 0.05). Vitality and social functioning items at a month after treatment time point, social functioning and report health transition items at 3 months after treatment time point, role emotional item at after treatment time point showed no significant differences between the group B and group C (all P > 0.05). ConclusionsThe therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion by soothing liver and regulating mind can obviously improve the quality of life of depression elders.

Gut Microbiota: A New Strategy to Study the Mechanism of Electroacupuncture and Moxibustion in Treating Ulcerative Colitis.

Previous studies have confirmed that acupuncture and moxibustion is an effective way for treating ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the exact mechanism is unclear yet. In this study, DSS-induced UC mice were treated by electroacupuncture and moxibustion, and the genome of intestinal flora was subsequently detected by high-throughput sequencing in order to explore the detailed mechanism in terms of intestinal flora. The results indicated that the alpha diversity indices and beta diversity of intestinal flora were improved by electroacupuncture and moxibustion treatments, especially by the moxibustion treatment. These treatments inhibited Streptococcus, Odoribacter, and Allobaculum whereas it facilitated Lactobacillus on genus level. Further correlation analysis showed that the alpha diversity indices were positively correlated with the percentage of Treg cells in CD4+ cells but negatively correlated with the percentage of Th17 in CD4+ cells. These data indicated that both electroacupuncture and moxibustion can promote the intestinal flora diversity, providing a new view to understand the relationship between host and microbiome when using some external therapies.

A Review on the trends of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for Hip arthroplasty

A Review on the trends of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for Hip arthroplasty

Experimental Study Trends on the Acupuncture Moxibustion Treatment for Visceral Hypersensitivity: Based on the Data of PubMed

Experimental Study Trends on the Acupuncture Moxibustion Treatment for Visceral Hypersensitivity: Based on the Data of PubMed

Therapeutic effects of moxibustion simultaneously targeting Nrf2 and NF-\u03baB in diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Moxibustion is the main alternative medicine treatment that has been beneficial to diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), a common complication secondary to diabetic microvascular injury. However, the underlying protective mechanism of moxibustion against neuroinflammation remains unclear. We hypothesized that moxibustion treats DPN by regulating the balance of nuclear factor-2 erythroid-related factor-2 (Nrf2)-nuclear factor-kappa light chain enhancer of B cells (NF-кB). In vivo, diabetes was induced in rats by injecting streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg; i.p.). Moxibustion was then applied to “Zusanli” (ST 36), “Guanyuan” (BL 26), and “Yishu” (EX-B 3) acupuncture points. Nerve conduction was detected. Serum interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 levels were determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. NF-κB and Nrf2 proteins were examined through immunoblot analysis. The mRNA of NF-κB and Nrf2 was evaluated through RT-PCR. We found that the conduction velocity and amplitude of the action potentials of sciatic nerve conduction were reduced in the DPN model group but were rescued by moxibustion treatment. Moxibustion also improved the effect of DPN on other parameters, including ultrastructural changes, NF-κB and Nrf2 expression in the sciatic nerve, and serum IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 levels. Our data suggested that moxibustion may alleviate neuroinflammation by inhibiting NF-κB and by activating Nrf2. Moxibustion may also provide therapeutic effects for patients with DPN by simultaneously targeting Nrf2 and NF-κB.

Effect of moxibustion on the expression of GDNF and its receptor GFRα3 in the colon and spinal cord of rats with irritable bowel syndrome.

Moxibustion treatment has been found to ameliorate clinical symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhoea and constipation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Herein we investigated the mechanisms underlying the use of moxibustion in a rat model of IBS. In our study, an IBS model was established in rats by colorectal distension (CRD) stimulus and mustard oil enema. The rats were randomly divided into a normal group, model group, mild moxibustion group, electroacupuncture group, probiotic group and dicetel group. Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores were determined within 90 min of the last treatment. The expression of GDNF/GFRα3 protein and mRNA in the colon and spinal cord were detected by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time-PCR, respectively. The IBS model rats had significantly higher AWR scores than the normal group (P<0.01). After mild moxibustion treatment, the AWR score was significantly reduced (20 mm Hg, P<0.05; 40 mm Hg, 60 mm Hg and 80 mm Hg, P<0.01). The model group showed significantly more colonic glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF/GFRα3 (GDNF family receptor α3) protein and mRNA expression in the colon and spinal cord than the normal group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of GDNF/GFRα3 protein and mRNA in the colon and spinal cord of the rats were significantly decreased in the mild moxibustion group (colon: GDNF and GFRα3 protein, P<0.01; GDNF and GFRα3 mRNA, P<0.01; spinal cord: GDNF and GFRα3 protein, P<0.01; GDNF mRNA, P<0.05, GFRα3 mRNA, P<0.01). Our data suggest that moxibustion therapy may mitigate CRD-induced increases in the expression of GDNF and its receptor GFRα3 in the colon and spinal cord in a rat model of IBS.

Analysis of "sinking requires moxibustion" in Huangdi Neijing

"Sinking requires moxibustion", a sentence coming from Lingshu: Jingmai ( The Miraculous Pivot: Meridians), is one of the basic principles of moxibustion treatment. Sinking of vessel and sinking of qi are the two primary recognitions for the word "sinking" in ancient and modern. This paper organizes all related references comprehensively and illustrates the meaning of "sinking" in context with the expectancy of helping readers understand the classic original accurately.

Turning Foetal Breech Presentation at 32-35 Weeks of Gestational Age by Acupuncture and Moxibustion.

Introduction Foetal breech presentation is an obstetric problem that often leads to caesarean section. Stimulation of the acupoint BL67 by moxibustion may correct breech presentation. Methods We observed 93 pregnant women in the 32nd-35th week of gestation with normal pregnancy and ultrasound diagnosis of breech presentation. The patients received stimulation of acupoint BL67 by self-administered moxibustion once a day for two weeks and if foetuses still were in breech presentation, moxibustion, and needle in the points BL65 and SI1, lasting 30 minutes, for three days in one week. The main outcome was vaginal birth with vertex presentation at delivery; the secondary outcome was compliance in the self-administration of the moxibustion treatment. Results We observed cephalic version and natural childbirth in 62.4% of all treated women. The treatment was accepted by 98.9% women (93/94), and compliance was 91.4% (85/93) for self-administered moxibustion and 37.5% (12/32) for moxibustion and needle treatment. Conclusions On the basis of our results, self-administered home treatment moxibustion followed by moxibustion and needle stimulations may be an effective and low-cost treatment for inducing cephalic version.

Literature analysis of acupuncture for urticaria from Encyclopaedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Objective To analyze the related records of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of urticaria in ancient medical books, and to select valuable data as a reference for clinical optimization of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. Methods With the keywords of Zhen and Feng Sao Yin Zhen, the ancient medical records of acupuncture and moxibustion were retrieved from Encyclopaedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (5th edition) as the research object, to build database including books, publish year, records, number of selected acupoints, acupuncture and moxibustion methods, acupuncture points, and analyze according to the frequency. Results The earliest records were from the Jin Dynasty (A.D.266-420) A-B classic of acupuncture and moxibustion, the most documented book was the Ming Dynasty Pu Ji Fang (22); 63.64% of the records did not describe the urticaria syndrome classification, while 36.35% only briefly described the cold and heat. There were 117 single point prescription, 4 pair points prescription, 11 multi-point prescription. The commonly used interventions were acupuncture combined with moxibustion (41), moxibustion (31) and needling (22). Commonly used acupoints were Quchi (43), Hegu (18), Jianyu (17). The acupoints were mainly from Hand Yangming large intestine meridian (84), as the specific points of five (105) and from upper limb (120). Conclusions Chinese acupuncture treatment of urticaria has a long history. Prescription was usually single prescription, and the lack of the principle of syndrome differentiation, acupoints from the Hand Yangming large intestine meridian were Quchi, Hegu, etc. as the main points. Ancient medical acupuncture treatment program might be suitable for acute urticaria and grassroots units. Key words: Urticaria; Acupuncture; Encyclopaedia of traditional Chinese medicine; Medicine pharmacologic literature (TCM); Bibliometrics

Moxibustion at CV4 alleviates atherosclerotic lesions through activation of the LXRα/ABCA1 pathway in apolipoprotein-E-deficient mice.

Objectives:To investigate the anti-atherogenic effect of moxibustion and whether it is mediated through the reverse cholesterol transport process.Methods:8-week-old male apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE−/− knockout) mice were randomly divided into two groups (n=10 per group): atherosclerosis (AS) and AS plus moxibustion (AS+M). C57BL/6J mice of the same background (n=10) were selected as controls. Mice in the AS+M group received indirect moxibustion with an ignited moxa stick held over CV4. Mice of the AS and control groups were restrained in the same holder with an unlit moxa stick held over CV4. All treatments were performed for 20 min per day, 6 days per week for 12 weeks. After the treatment, the mice were euthanased and their serum lipids were measured. The aortic roots and thoracic aortas were collected for haematoxylin and eosin and red oil O staining, respectively, to analyse the atherosclerotic lesions. Expression of adenosine triphosphate binding cassette (ABCA)A1/G1 and liver X receptor α (LXRα) in the thoracic aorta were examined with Western blotting.Results:The moxibustion-treated (AS+M) mice showed a significantly lower plaque area percentage in the aortic root and thoracic aorta, and higher expression of LXRα and ABCA1 in the thoracic aorta compared with the AS mice. No significant differences were found in average lipid area percentage in the thoracic aorta, or ABCG1 expression in the thoracic aorta, between mice in the AS+M and AS groups.Conclusion:Moxibustion treatment at CV4 suppressed the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE−/− mice. The anti-atherogenic effect of moxibustion may be achieved by: (1) regulation of lipid metabolism, and thus prevention of lipid accumulation; and (2) upregulation of LXRα- and ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux in the lesion area.

The thermal performance of biological tissue under moxibustion therapy

An understanding of the thermal performance of biological tissue under moxibustion with ash cleaning and distance adjustment (ACDA) is helpful for the optimization and standardization of moxibustion clinical treatment. This study compared surface temperature distribution of burning moxa stick with and without ash cleaning. The experimental of moxibustion treatment on in-vitro tissue and human abdomen were conducted and corresponding numerical models were developed. The effect of ACDA on thermal performance of biological tissue under moxibustion therapy were analyzed. The results show that the surface temperature of burning moxa stick with ash cleaning maintained at a higher range compared to that without ash cleaning. During moxibustion with ACDA process in in-vitro tissue experiment, the temperature increase (ΔT) at skin surface almost fluctuated in the same temperature range, and the ΔT in subcutaneous tissue (>11 mm) kept increasing. Relatively, these ΔT under moxibustion treatment without ACDA showed different trends and these values were all much smaller than those with ACDA. In addition, the position of maximum temperature of tissue under moxibustion with and without ACDA was fixed on treatment acupoint and moved away from treatment acupoint, respectively. Besides, the surface temperature of human abdomen tissue under moxibustion treatment with ACDA can be maintained at 46 °C-50 °C for a longer time compared to that under moxbustion without ACDA. In conclusion, moxibustion with ACDA can create a larger and more durable thermal effect on biological tissue. The results also suggest that ACDA may be helpful to improve moxibustion therapy efficacy in clinic treatments.

Moxibustion improves ovary function by suppressing apoptosis events and upregulating antioxidant defenses in natural aging ovary

AimsOvarian aging is a natural physiological phenomenon accompanied by follicular atresia as well as the decline of oocyte quality. Moxibustion is a form of traditional Chinese medicine therapy which has been reported to treat many aging-related problems and improve immune defense. Materials and methodsMoxibustion treatment was applied to the 10-month female rats for 2 or 6 months to evaluate whether moxibustion could delay ovarian aging. The expression levels of NQO-1, HO-1, Bax and Bcl-2 were examined by Western blotting. The serum levels of E2 and FSH concentration were measured through ELISA. P21, P16, NQO-1, HO-1, Bax and Bcl-2 were measured by qRT-PCR. Key findingsWe demonstrated that moxibustion treatment could attenuate oxidative stress and apoptosis in ovaries, which lead to ovarian aging. The ovary histomorphology, serum FSH, E2 levels as well as aging markers P21 and P16 expression were compared among the groups, which showed that moxibustion treatment could alleviate the ovary fibrosis, decrease the aging markers expression and increase secretion of ovary functional hormones. The mRNA and protein expression levels of the antioxidative stress-related genes HO-1 and NQO-1 were increased after moxibustion treatment. The antiapoptotic factor Bcl-2 and proapoptotic factor Bax were also detected by qRT-PCR and western blotting, and the results demonstrated that moxibustion significantly downregulated the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, suggesting that moxibustion could reduce apoptosis in the ovaries of aged rats. SignificanceIn conclusion, our research revealed that moxibustion could improve ovary function by suppressing apoptosis events and upregulating antioxidant defenses in the natural aging ovary.

Metabolomics analysis of herb-partitioned moxibustion treatment on rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

BackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder, which is commonly treated with antidiarrhoeal, antispasmodics, serotonergic agents or laxative agents. These treatments provide relief for IBS symptoms but may also lead to undesired side effects. Previously, herb-partitioned moxibustion (HPM) treatment has been demonstrated to be effective in ameliorating symptoms of IBS. However, the underlying mechanism of this beneficial treatment is yet to be established. The aim of the current study was to systematically assess the metabolic alterations in response to diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) and therapeutic effect of HPM.MethodsProton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR)-based metabolomics approach was used to investigate fecal and serum metabolome of rat model of IBS-D with and without HPM treatment.ResultsThe current results showed that IBS-induced metabolic alterations in fecal and serum sample include higher level of threonine and UDP-glucose together with lower levels of aspartate, ornithine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, 2-hydroxy butyrate, valine, lactate, ethanol, arginine, 2-oxoisovalerate and bile acids. These altered metabolites potentially involve in impaired gut secretory immune system and intestinal inflammation, malabsorption of nutrients, and disordered metabolism of bile acids. Notably, the HPM treatment was found able to normalize the Bristol stool forms scale scores, fecal water content, plasma endotoxin level, and a number of IBS-induced metabolic changes.ConclusionsThese findings may provide useful insight into the molecular basis of IBS and mechanism of the HPM intervention.

Metabolic Response in Rats following Electroacupuncture or Moxibustion Stimulation.

Electroacupuncture and moxibustion are traditional Chinese medicine practices that exert therapeutic effects through stimulation of specific meridian acupoints. However, the biological basis of the therapies has been difficult to establish; thus the current practices still rely on ancient TCM references. Here, we used a rat model to study perturbations in cortex, liver, and stomach metabolome and plasma hormones following electroacupuncture or moxibustion treatment on either stomach meridian or gallbladder meridian acupoints. All treatment groups, regardless of meridian and mode of treatment, showed perturbation in cortex metabolome and increased phenylalanine, tyrosine, and branched-chain amino acids in liver. In addition, electroacupuncture was found to increase ATP in cortex, creatine, and dimethylglycine in stomach and GABA in liver. On the other hand, moxibustion increased plasma enkephalin concentration, as well as betaine and fumarate concentrations in stomach. Furthermore, we had observed meridian-specific changes including increased N-acetyl-aspartate in liver and 3-hydroxybutyrate in stomach for gallbladder meridian stimulation and increased noradrenaline concentration in blood plasma following stimulation on stomach meridian. In summary, the current findings may provide insight into the metabolic basis of electroacupuncture and moxibustion, which may contribute towards new application of acupoint stimulation.

Efficacy and safety of moxibustion in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A systematic review protocol.

Background:Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common urogenital disease. Moxibustion is a complementary treatment option for CP/CPPS. This systematic review will assess the efficacy and safety of moxibustion as a sole or add-on therapy for CP/CPPS.Methods:We will retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of moxibustion for CP/CPPS from the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, VIP, Chinese Biomedical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang Data, Chinese Medicine Database System, Google Scholar, Clinicaltrials.gov, and China Clinical Trial Registry from their inception to March 9, 2019, without language restrictions. RCTs comparing moxibustion with active drugs or moxibustion + drugs with these same drugs alone will be included. Primary outcomes will be the change in the total score of the National Institutes of Health's Chronic Prostatic Inflammatory States Index (NIH-CPSI) after moxibustion treatment. Secondary outcomes will include the scores of the individual NIH-CPSI domains, response to treatment of CP/CPPS, leucocyte and phosphatidylcholine corpuscle count in prostatic fluid, incidence of adverse events (AEs), and incidence of moxibustion-related AEs. The Cochrane risk of bias tool will be used for evaluating the risk of bias of individual trials. Heterogeneity will be detected by the Cochran Q test and I-square test. A random-effects model will be used to pool data in the meta-analysis. Risk ratio and weighted or standardized mean difference will be used as the effect measures. Three sets of subgroup analyses will be performed to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Where appropriate, we will assess the likelihood of publication bias based on funnel plots and quantitative tests.Results:This study will produce the systematic review evidence regarding moxibustion for treating CP/CPPS based on current RCTs.Conclusion:This study will provide a clear basis for understanding the efficacy and adverse reactions of moxibustion treatment for CP/CPPS.PROSPERO registration number:CRD42019121338.

Moxibustion promoted wound healing in rats with full-thickness cutaneous wounds

To explore the effects of moxibustion intervention on wound healing in rats with full-thickness cutaneous wounds. A total of 28 adult SD male rats were randomly assigned to model group and moxibustion group (n＝14 in each one). The skin wound model was established by removal of a piece of full-thickness skin from the median line of the rats' back (about 2 cm below the shoulder blade). Moxibustion intervention was applied to the surrounding area of the focus for 25 min, once daily for 6 days. The wound healing was observed and photographed after each moxibustion intervention. The wound tissues were harvested after transcardiac perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde solution on the 2nd and 7thday after modeling, and stained with H．E. and Masson methods for displaying histopathological changes and collagen fiber growth status, respectively. After modeling, the cutaneous wound was healed gradually in both groups, and the wound area was significantly smaller from the 2nd day to the 5th day in the moxibustion group than in the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Correspondingly, the wound closure area was significantly bigger from the 2nd to the 5th day in the moxibustion group than in the model group (P<0.01). H．E. and Masson staining showed that the number of the inflammatory cells (monocytes, macrophages, neutrophile, etc.) and the collagen fiber area in the local wound tissue of the moxibustion group were significantly bigger than those of the model group on the 2nd day after intervention (P<0.01). After 6 sessions of moxibustion intervention, the number of fibroblasts and collagen fibers in the moxibustion group were obviously increased than that in the model group, characterized by closer arrangement of fibroblasts and collagen fibers, more and larger of the new-born blood vessels, and thicker of the scab in the wound area. Moxibustion can promote the wound healing by enhancing the growth of collagen fibers and cell proliferation in the traumatic cutaneous area in full-thickness cutaneous wound rats.

Therapeutic effects on primary dysmenorrhea treated with moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) and warm needling at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6)

To explore the clinical effects on primary dysmenorrhea treated with moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) and warm needling at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). A total of 120 patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each one. In the control group, the warm needling technique was used at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). In the observation group, besides the same treatment as the control group, moxibustion was added at Shenque (CV 8). The treatment was given for 4 menstrual cycles consecutively. Before and after treatment, the score of the severity and the score of the total frequency in the retrospective scale of dysmenorrhea symptoms as well as the score of the visual analog scale (VAS) were recorded and compared in the patients between the two groups. Additionally, the safety of the two therapeutic methods was evaluated. After treatment, the score of severity and the score of total frequency as well as VAS score of menstrual pain were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the patients of the two groups (all P<0.05). The scores in the observation group were more obvious as compared with the control group (all P<0.05). Regarding the safety evaluation, the difference was not significant between the two groups (P>0.05). The combined treatment of moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) with the warm needling technique at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) achieves the better clinical effects on primary dysmenorrhea as compared with the simple application of the warm needling technique at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). This therapy is safety in clinical practice.

Effect of Warm Acupuncture on “Dinghui Acupoint” and “Heart Acupoint” in Traditional Mongolian Medicine on Behaviors and Hypothalamic Inammatory Cytokines in Rats with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Objective: To observe the effects of warm acupuncture on “Dinghui Acupoint” and “Heart Acupoint” in Traditional Mongolian Medicine on behavior and hypothalamic inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and IFN-r in Rats with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, warm acupuncture group and moxibustion positive control group. The latter three groups of rats were used to establish a model of rats with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) using a combination of physical fatigue and mental fatigue. When establishing the model of warm acupuncture group, “Dinghui Acupoint” and “Heart Acupoint” intervention was carried out; when establishing the model of moxibustion positive control group, “Zusanli Acupoint” intervention was carried out on both sides. Behavioral observations (body weight, exhaustive swimming time, tail suspension experiment, water maze) were performed before and after modeling. The hypothalamic inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and IFN-r were detected by ELISA method after warm acupuncture and moxibustion intervention. Results: After 21 days of modeling, the body weight of the rats in each group was significantly lower than that in the normal group, and there was a significant difference (P&lt;0.01); Compared with the model group, the weight of the rats in the warm acupuncture group increased significantly, and there was a significant difference (P&lt;0.01); Compared with the model group, the exhaustive swimming time of the rats in the warm acupuncture group was significantly prolonged, and there was a significant difference (P&lt;0.01); Compared with the moxibustion group, the exhaustion time of the rats in the warm acupuncture group was relatively prolonged, and there was a significant difference (P&lt;0.05); Compared with the normal group, the tail suspension time of the model group was significantly prolonged, and there was a significant difference (P&lt;0.05); Compared with the model group, there was a significant difference in the duration of the suspension of the warm acupuncture group and the moxibustion group (P&lt;0.01); Compared with the normal group, the total distance of the water maze test was shorter in the model group, and there was a significant difference (P&lt;0.01); Compared with the model group, both the warm acupuncture group and the moxibustion group were prolonged, and there was a significant difference (P&lt;0.05); Compared with the moxibustion group, the distance between the rats in the warm acupuncture group was relatively longer, but there was no significant difference (P&gt;0.05); Compared with the normal group, IL-1β, IL-6 and IFN-r increased significantly in the model group and there was a significant difference (P&lt;0.05); Compared with the model group, IL-1β and IL-6 in the warm acupuncture group was significantly decreased (P&lt;0.05), and the IL-6 in the moxibustion group was significantly different (P&lt;0.05); Compared with the model group, there was no significant difference between the IFN-r group and the moxibustion group (P&gt;0.05); Compared with the moxibustion group, the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and IFN-r were not significantly different (P&gt;0.05). Conclusion: Warm acupuncture on “Dinghui Acupoint” and “Heart Acupoint” in Traditional Mongolian Medicine has the ability to improve the body’s defense and self-healing ability, improve chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and thus play a preventive role. The results of this research indicate that the warm acupuncture group and the moxibustion group have the same effect.