ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of moxa-stick moxibustion and joss-stick moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV4) on the activity of mast cells in the small intestine tissue in rats. METHODS: Twelve male SD rats were randomly divided into control, joss-stick moxibustion and moxa-stick moxibustion groups (n=4 rats in each group). Joss-stick or moxa-stick moxibustion was applied to CV4 for 10 min. After moxibustion, the skin temperature of the CV4 region was measured immediately with a thermometer. The mast cells and nerve fibers in the small intestine tissue were displayed by immunofluorescence histochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the skin temperature of the CV4 region in both the joss-stick and the moxa-stick groups were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the skin temperature of the moxa-stick group was significantly higher than that in the joss-stick group (P<0.05). There were a large number of tryptase-positive mast cells in the small intestine of rats, some of which were co-expressed with lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1, displaying an activated state. The average numbers of mast cells in the control, joss-stick and moxa-stick groups were 9.2±3.6, 10.8±5.3 and 17.1±6.3, respectively, being significantly higher in the moxa-stick group than in the control and joss-stick groups (P<0.05). In addition, calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) and neuropeptide Y(NPY) positive nerve fibers were found around the mast cells in the small intestinal tissues. CONCLUSION: Moxa-stick moxibustion gives rise a higher temperature at CV4 to activate mast cells surrounded by CGRP and NPY positive nerve fibers in the small intestine tissue in rats, suggesting an involvement of the sensory and sympathetic nervous system in the activation of intestinal mast cells possibly by way of somatic sympathetic reflex.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of conventional western medication and joss stick moxibustion combined with pricking and cupping for herpes zoster in acute stage, and to explore its analgesic mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy patients with acute herpes zoster were randomized into an observation group (33 cases after 2 dropping) and a control group (34 cases after 1 dropping). Patients in the observation group were treated with joss stick moxibustion combined with pricking and cupping at localpoints for 7 times, once every other day. Oral acyclovir, vitamin Band mecobalamin tablets were applied in the control group for continuous 14 days, and interferon injection was used for continuous 6 days, etc. The herpes evaluation indexes of blister stopping time, scab time and decrustation time as well as pain intensity were observed before and after treatment. Peripheral serum substance P (SP) content of herpes local situation was detected. The comprehensive effects were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The blister stopping time, scab time and decrustation time in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group (all<0.05). There was no statistical significance for pain relief degree between the two groups (>0.05). The pain beginning to ease time and duration time in the observation group were better than those in the control group (both<0.05). The contents of SP in the two groups decreased after treatment (both<0.01), and it was better in the observation group (<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group after treatment was 87.9% (29/33), and that of the control group was 85.3% (29/34), which were not statistically significant (>0.05). The cured rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group [66.7% (22/33) vs 58.8% (20/34),<0.05].</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Joss stick moxibustion combined with pricking and cupping are effective for herpes zoster, which have quicker and good analgesic effects than conventional western medication. Its mechanism may be related to reducing the content of SP more fast and to a larger degree.</p>