RÉSUMÉ
Objective To explore clinical efficacy and mechanisms of medicinal-cake-separated moxibustion treatment for mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) of spleen deficiency and dampness type.Methods Totally 60 cases were randomly divided into observation group and control group according to a random digits table, with 30 cases in each group. The control group was inserted into the anus with mesalamine suppository 1 g once a day, while the observation group was given medicinal-cake-separated moxibustion treatment once a day based on the treatment for the control group. Medicinal cake (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata: Codonopsis Radix: Coptidix Rhizoma: Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma: Corydalis Rhizoma: Aucklandiae Radix=3:3:2:2:2:1) was put on the acupoints (Pishu, Zhongwan and Zusanli for the first group, Dachangshu, Tianshu and Shangjuxu for the second group, one group for each time, and 2 groups were used interchangeably). One wormwood cylinder was put on medicinal cake, 5 min each time, 3 doses each time, once a day. The treatment course for all was 8 weeks. The main symptom scores (diarrhea, bellyache, pus and blood stool) and total scores, colonoscopy Baron score and serum CC chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) expression level were compared between before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was evaluated and the adverse reactions were observed.Results The total effective rate in observation group was 93.33% (28/30) and significantly higher than that of the control group of 76.67% (23/30). After the treatment, the main symptom scores and total scores, colonoscopy Baron score and serum CCL20 expression level were significantly lower than those of pre-treatment in the same one group (P0.05).Conclusion Medicinal-cake-separated moxibustion treatment is effective and safe in patients with mild-to-moderate UC of spleen deficiency and dampness type, which effects might be involved in regulating the expression of serum CCL20.