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OBJECTIVE: To study the effects and mechanism of couplet medicines of Scutellaria baicalensis-Paeonia lactiflora on improving ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. METHODS: A total of 70 mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, S. baicalensis group (1. 5 g/kg), P. lactiflora group (1. 5 g/kg), S. baicalensis-P. lactiflora (2:1, 1:1, 1:2, m/m) groups (total amount of 1. 5 g/kg), with 10 mice in each group. Except for blank group, UC model of mice was induced in each group. The next day after modeling, treatment groups were given relevant medicine liquid 0. 2 mL/10 g (75 mg/mL, calculated by crude drug mass concentration), while blank group and model group were given constant volume of normal saline intragastrically, once a day, for consecutive 7 d. After administration, disease activity indexes (DAI) of rats were scored, and the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, D-LA and myeloperoxidase (DAO) were determined. The length of the colon was measured and the intestinal mass index was calculated in mice. The activities of medullary peroxide (MPO) and SOD, the levels of NO and MDA were determined in colon tissue. RESULTS: Compared with blank group, DAI score, serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, D-LA and DAO, the levels of MPO, NO and MDA in colon were increased significantly in model group, while the length of colon, intestinal mass index and SOD level of colon tissue were decreased significantly, with statistical significance (P<0. 05 or P<0. 01). Compared with model group, DAI score, serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and DAO, the level of MDA in colon were decreased significantly in S. baicalensis group (P<0. 05 or P<0. 01). The serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β, the level of MDA in colon were decreased significantly in P. lactiflora group (P<0. 05 or P<0. 01). Above indexes of S. baicalensis-P. lactiflora (2:1) group were improved significantly except for the length of colon (P<0. 05 or P<0. 01). Above indexes of S. baicalensis-P. lactiflora (1:1) group were improved significantly except for serum level of IL-6 and the level of SOD in colon (P<0. 05 or P<0. 01). Above indexes of S. baicalensis-P. lactiflora (1:2) group were improved significantly except for serum level of NO (P<0. 05 or P<0. 01). CONCLUSIONS: The couplet medicines of S. baicalensis-P. lactiflora can reduce the expression of proinflammatory factors, enhancing antioxidant activity of the body and decrease intestinal mucosal permeability so as to improve UC symptom of mice; and the effect of S. baicalensis-P. lactiflora (2:1) group is the best.
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It's been confirmed that acupuncture-moxibustion is effective in treating primary dysmenorrhea, and the efficacy is closely related to the intervention time. By summarizing the latest research progress on real-time intervention and pre-intervention of acupuncture-moxibustion in treating primary dysmenorrhea, this articlewas to discuss about the effect of intervention time on the efficacy in treating primary dysmenorrhea and thus to provide evidence to choose the optimal intervention time. It brought up that real-time intervention of acupuncture-moxibustion can produce a significant analgesic effect in treating primary dysmenorrhea, while pre-intervention of acupuncture-moxibustion presents its advantages in generally regulating the body function. Therefore, the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea should combine real-time intervention and pre-intervention of acupuncture-moxibustion to enhance the clinical efficacy.
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The acupoint effect of Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) as well as the internal relation of Sanyinjiao (SP 6)-Xuanzhong (GB 39) were analyzed in this paper to explore the relationship between opposite acupoints and acupoint effect. It was found both Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) had acupoint effects, and the two acupoints had close relationship in acupoint effects (specificity along meridian and specificity of acupoints), acupoint-meridian relationship (anatomical locations, meridians and organs, indications). It is indicated the opposite acupoint of Sanyinjiao (SP 6)-Xuanzhong (GB 39) had related aspects in acupoint effects, which is related with acupoint effect through specificity and relationship of acupoint-meridian.
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ObjectiveTo explore the relation between the uterine position and acupoint effect by analyzing the data of a clinical trial of electroacupuncture in treating primary dysmenorrhea.MethodThe uterine position was detected by ultrasonic examination;Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the pain degree before and after intervention; Retrospective Symptom Scale (RSS) was adopted to determine the improvement of symptoms.ResultThere were no significant differences in comparing the VAS score, real-time effect and post-treatment effect, and effective rate among different uterine positions (P>0.05). Electroacupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) can produce a real-time effect in releasing abdominal pain and relevant symptoms of dysmenorrhea in patients with anteversion of uterus, a less significant effect was shown in patients with retroposition of uterus, while no effect was shown in patients with uterus at middle position.ConclusionElectroacupuncture at Sanyinjiao possibly has a specific effect in releasing abdominal pain and relevant symptoms of dysmenorrhea at anteversion of uterus, and the uterine position may be related to the corresponding meridians and Zang-fu organs. The current statistical result indicates that there is no relation between the uterine position and the effect of Sanyinjiao, but this conclusion still needs proving by prospective randomized controlled clinicaltrials.
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Acupuncture-moxibustion theory believes that needling sensation is a crucial factor in influencing acupuncture efficacy. Judgment of occurrence of needling qi (qualitative measurement) and the intensity of needling qi (quantitative measurement) is the key section in studying the relationship between needling qi and efficacy. According to the relevant literatures, the judgment of the occurrence of needling qi mostly depended on the needling sensations, while a small amount of researches mentioned self-determined threshold or range of needling qi; the quantity of needling qi was measured by factor analysis, Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale (MASS) based on exponential smoothing method, weighted average, addition of needling sensation score, etc. This article holds that the needling qi should be divided into two parts: overall needling qi and needling sensation components, the former referring to the occurrence and intensity of needling qi, and the latter for judging the different sensations and intensity. Currently, the studies on needling qi and efficacy should begin with single treatment at single point and multiple treatments at multiple points, to generally estimate the quality and quantity of needling qi, for seeking a qualitative and quantitative measurement in accordance with both acupuncture-moxibustion theory and clinical practice.
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From the time of Neijing (Internal Classic) and Nanjing (Classic of Medical Problems) till the end of Qing dynasty, the medical scholars of each dynasty had taken the recognition of deqi as the subject in the stud- ies. Through the historical analysis, the content of regulating deqi was further understood in relevant ancient liter- ature. By checking the ancient works of acupuncture in each dynasty till the end of Qing dynasty, in reference to the evidences in over 10 works, such as Zhenjiu Dacheng (Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) , Zhenjing Zhinan (Instruction of Acupuncture Canon), Zhenjiu Daquan, and in association with the academic views of acupuncture masters in modern time, it was discovered that the medical scholars after the time of Neijing and Nanjing had enriched the understandings of deqi, such as the connection of cold and heat reaction, radiation to the affected site, reinforcing and reducing purpose in qi regulation. The methods of deqi regulations had, been explored till the end of Qing dynasty since the time of Neijing and Nanjing and the understandings of it were vari- ous among scholars.
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Humans , Acupuncture Therapy , History , Methods , Books , History , China , History, Ancient , Medicine in Literature , Qi , History , SensationABSTRACT
Objective To discuss the relationships between qi-arrival and mind-control, qi-arrival and qi-regulation, and to define qi-arrival by tracing the relevant records in Nei Jing (Classic of Internal Medicine) and Nan Jing (Classic of Difficult Issues). Method Thirty-seven relevant ancient books of the two classics were reviewed and the notes by WANG Bing, MA Shi, and YANG Shang-shan were referred. Result Mind-control requires the spirits of the practitioner, patient and environment, as well as observing and waiting for the arrival of qi. Regarding qi-regulation, theories involve that qi-arrival achieves same reinforcing and reducing effect as qi-regulation, qi-regulation is elucidated from the correct location of acupoint, proper needling depth and direction, and to regulate qi by observing the arrival of qi. Besides, the changes of internal and external environments also influence qi-arrival via qi-regulation and mind-control. Conclusion Qi-arrival is closely related to mind-control and qi-regulation in obtaining, differentiation, and adjustment. Mind-control and qi-regulation assist each other through the whole acupuncture process, which is the core of qi-arrival.