Effects of moxa smoke through olfactory pathway on learning and memory ability in rapid aging mice / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of moxa smoke through olfactory pathway on learning and memory ability in rapid aging (SAMP8) mice, and to explore the action pathway of moxa smoke.@*METHODS@#Forty-eight six-month-old male SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into a model group, an olfactory dysfunction group, a moxa smoke group and an olfactory dysfunction + moxa smoke group, with 12 mice in each group. Twelve age-matched male SAMR1 mice were used as the blank group. The olfactory dysfunction model was induced in the olfactory dysfunction group and the olfactory dysfunction + moxa smoke group by intraperitoneal injection of 3-methylindole (3-MI) with 300 mg/kg, and the moxa smoke group and the olfactory dysfunction + moxa smoke group were intervened with moxa smoke at a concentration of 10-15 mg/m3 for 30 min per day, with a total of 6 interventions per week. After 6 weeks, the emotion and cognitive function of mice was tested by open field test and Morris water maze test, and the neuronal morphology in the CAI area of the hippocampus was observed by HE staining. The contents of neurotransmitters (glutamic acid [Glu], gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA], dopamine [DA], and 5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) in hippocampal tissue of mice were detected by ELISA.@*RESULTS@#The mice in the blank group, the model group and the moxa smoke group could find the buried food pellets within 300 s, while the mice in the olfactory dysfunction group and the olfactory dysfunction + moxa smoke group took more than 300 s to find them. Compared with the blank group, the model group had increased vertical and horizontal movements (P<0.05) and reduced central area residence time (P<0.05) in the open field test, prolonged mean escape latency on days 1-4 (P<0.05), and decreased search time, swimming distance and swimming distance ratio in the target quadrant of the Morris water maze test, and decreased GABA, DA and 5-HT contents (P<0.05, P<0.01) and increased Glu content (P<0.05) in hippocampal tissue. Compared with the model group, the olfactory dysfunction group had increased vertical movements (P<0.05), reduced central area residence time (P<0.05), and increased DA content in hippocampal tissue (P<0.05); the olfactory dysfunction + moxa smoke group had shortened mean escape latency on days 3 and 4 of the Morris water maze test (P<0.05) and increased DA content in hippocampal tissue (P<0.05); the moxa smoke group had prolonged search time in the target quadrant (P<0.05) and increased swimming distance ratio, and increased DA and 5-HT contents in hippocampal tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01) and decreased Glu content in hippocampal tissue (P<0.05). Compared with the olfactory dysfunction group, the olfactory dysfunction + moxa smoke group showed a shortened mean escape latency on day 4 of the Morris water maze test (P<0.05). Compared with the moxa smoke group, the olfactory dysfunction + moxa smoke group had a decreased 5-HT content in the hippocampus (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the model group showed a reduced number of neurons in the CA1 area of the hippocampus with a disordered arrangement; the olfactory dysfunction group had similar neuronal morphology in the CA1 area of the hippocampus to the model group. Compared with the model group, the moxa smoke group had an increased number of neurons in the CA1 area of the hippocampus that were more densely packed. Compared with the moxa smoke group, the olfactory dysfunction + moxa smoke group had a reduced number of neurons in the CA1 area of the hippocampus, with the extent between that of the moxa smoke group and the olfactory dysfunction group.@*CONCLUSION@#The moxa smoke could regulate the contents of neurotransmitters Glu, DA and 5-HT in hippocampal tissue through olfactory pathway to improve the learning and memory ability of SAMP8 mice, and the olfactory is not the only effective pathway.

Development and application of a new digital electric fire needle instrument / 中国针灸

In view of the limitations of the high operational difficulty, safety hazards and adverse reactions of traditional fire needle, and unclear treatment parameters of existing electric fire needles, a new digital electric fire needle instrument was designed and developed in this study. This instrument is a gun type structure, consisting of a gun body, a power supply interface on the gun body, a display unit and a drive unit, a heating unit, a cooling unit, a positioning unit, and a needle inserting unit in the gun body. This instrument can digitally realize the regulation of parameters such as fire needle inserting temperature, depth and speed, and it has the advantageous features of intelligent needle burning, precise positioning, and safe and easy operation. This instrument meets the needs of more patients, medical professionals and scientific researchers, and is conducive to promoting the development of fire needle acupuncture therapy.

Influence of storage duration and processing on chromatic attributes and flavonoid content of moxa floss / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Moxibustion is an important traditional Chinese medicine therapy using heat from ignited moxa floss for disease treatment. The purpose of the present study is to establish a reproducible method to assess the color of moxa floss, discriminate the samples based on chromatic coordinates and explore the relationship between chromatic coordinates and total flavonoid content (TFC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Moxa floss samples of different storage years and production ratios were obtained from a moxa production factory in Henan Province, China. Chromatic coordinates (L*, a* and b*) were analyzed with an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer and the chroma (C*) and hue angle (h°) values were calculated. TFC was determined by a colorimetric method. Data were analyzed with correlation, principal component analysis (PCA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant differences in the chromatic values and TFC were observed among samples of different storage years and production ratios. Samples of higher production ratio displayed higher chromatic characteristics and lower TFC. Samples of longer storage years contained higher TFC. Preliminary separation of moxa floss production ratio was obtained by means of color feature maps developed using L*-a* or L*-b* as coordinates. PCA allowed the separation of the samples from their storage years and production ratios based on their chromatic characteristics and TFC.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The use of a colorimetric technique and CIELAB coordinates coupled with chemometrics can be practical and objective for discriminating moxa floss of different storage years and production ratios. The development of color feature maps could be used as a model for classifying the color grading of moxa floss.</p>

Effects of controllable dynamic inhaled exposure of moxa smoke on LDL-r, ICAM-1 and morphology of heart tissue in rats / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the change of lipid metabolism and vascular endothelium as well as morphology of heart tissue in rats who were long-time exposed to moxa smoke with different concentrations in order to provide reference for safety assessment of moxa smoke on cardiovascular system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and sixty-eighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group, a low-concentration group, a median-concentration group and a high-concentration group, 42 rats in each one. The rats were exposed to moxa smoke with concentration of 0%, 10%, 40% and 70%, respectively, for 20 min per day. After continuous intervention for six months, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to measure the level of low density lipoprotein-receptor (LDL-r) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in blood serum in each group; the slices of heart tissue were stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining method to observe morphology change of heart tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) After the intervention of moxa smoke, the levels of LDL-r and ICAM-1 in the low-concentration group were not statistically different from those in the control group (both P > 0.05); the level of LDL-r in the median-concentration group was significantly increased, which was statistically different from that in the control group [(3.87 +/- 0.27) mg/mL vs (2.12 +/- 0.13) mg/mL, P < 0.01], however, the content of ICAM-1 was not obviously changed; although the level of LDL-r in the high-concentration group was presented with an escalating trend, it was not statistically different from that in the control group (P > 0.05) while the level of ICAM-1 was obviously increased (P < 0.01). (2) Under the light microscope, the abnormalities of cardiac muscle fibers and myocardial cell in each group were not been observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The long-time intervention of low-concentration moxa smoke has no significant effects on lipid metabolism and vascular endothelium of rats, indicating that clinical application of low-concentration moxa smoke is relatively safe. The long-time intervention of moderate-concentration moxa smoke could significantly increase the clearance rate of cholesterol, implying the beneficial regulation of moxa smoke on lipid metabolism. The high-concentration moxa smoke could induce certain damage to vascular endothelium but its mechanism is in need of further research. The pathologic change of heart tissue could not be induced by moxa smoke with any concentration.</p>

Can moxibustion, an ancient treatment modality, be evaluated in a double-blind randomized controlled trial? - a narrative review / 中西医结合学报

For thousands of years, moxibustion has been used for various diseases in China and other Asian countries. Despite the recent surge in Chinese herbal studies, few randomized controlled trials have been conducted on this modality, possibly due to the lacking of suitable double blinding methodology. This is a review of extant sham moxa devices and an introduction to a recently developed device that needs further validation.

Effect of acupuncture at different time points on kidney function and oxygen free radical metabolism in rats with simulated weightlessness / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of pre-acupuncture and immediate acupuncture on kidney function and oxygen free radical metabolism in rats with simulated weightlessness.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty male clean-grade Wister rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, a pre-acupuncture group and an immediate acupuncture group, 5 rats in each one. The rats in the normal control group did not receive any treatment but free activities for 4 weeks. The rats in the rest groups received 4-week tail suspension to establish the model of simulated weightlessness. One week before the tail suspension, the rats in the pre-acupuncture group were treated with electroacupuncture at "Shenshu" (BL 23), "Pishu" (BL 20) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) for 30 min per treatment, once a day for 7 days. The rats in the immediate acupuncture group received tail suspension and acupuncture at the same time; during the tail suspension, the electroacupuncture was applied at "Shenshu" (BL 23), "Pishu" (BL 20) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) for 30 min per treatment, once every other day for 14 days. The colorimetric method was used to measure the content of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in serum as well as activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and content of malonaldehyde (MDA) in renal tissue in each group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control group, the content of BUN in the model group was increased significantly (P<0.01), the activity of SOD and GSH-PX in nephridial tissue was significantly reduced (both P<0.01), and the content of MDA was increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the content of BUN in the pre-acupuncture group and immediate acupuncture group was significantly reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05), the activity of GSH-PX in the pre-acupuncture group was obviously increased (P<0.05) and the content of MDA in the immediate acupuncture group was increased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with the immediate acupuncture group, the content of MDA in the pre-acupuncture group was lower (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The pre-acupuncture and immediate acupuncture both have the capacity to improve the kidney function and anti-oxygen free radical injury in rats with simulated weightlessness, however, the capacity to increase the protection ability of the kidney and eliminate free radical in the pre-acupuncture group is superior to that in the immediate acupuncture group, which is likely to be related with improving antioxidant ability of kidney.</p>

A new herbs traceability method based on DNA barcoding-origin-morphology analysis--an example from an adulterant of 'Heiguogouqi' / 中国中药杂志

The fruit of Lycium ruthenicum is a common folk medicine in China. Now it is popular for its antioxidative effect and other medical functions. The adulterants of the herb confuse consumers. In order to identify a new adulterant of L. ruthenicum, a research was performed based on NCBI Nucleotide Database ITS Sequence, combined analysis of the origin and morphology of the adulterant to traceable varieties. Total genomic DNA was isolated from the materials, and nuclear DNA ITS sequences were amplified and sequenced; DNA fragments were collated and matched by using ContingExpress. Similarity identification of BLAST analysis was performed. Besides, the distribution of plant origin and morphology were considered to further identification and verification. Families and genera were identified by molecular identification method. The adulterant was identified as plant belonging to Berberis. Origin analysis narrowed the range of sample identification. Seven different kinds of plants in Berberis were potential sources of the sample. Adulterants variety was traced by morphological analysis. The united molecular identification-origin-morphology research proves to be a preceding way to medical herbs traceability with time-saving and economic advantages and the results showed the new adulterant of L. ruthenicum was B. kaschgarica. The main differences between B. kaschgarica and L. ruthenicum are as follows: in terms of the traits, the surface of B. kaschgarica is smooth and crispy, and that of L. ruthenicum is shrinkage, solid and hard. In microscopic characteristics, epicarp cells of B. aschgarica thickening like a string of beads, stone cells as the rectangle, and the stone cell walls of L. ruthenicum is wavy, obvious grain layer. In molecular sequences, the length of ITS sequence of B. kaschgarica is 606 bp, L. ruthenicum is 654 bp, the similarity of the two sequences is 53.32%.

Effects of long-term intervention of moxa smoke on T lymphocyte subsets and CD4+ CD25+ Treg in peripheral blood of Wistar rats / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the cellular immune regulation of the long-term intervention of moxa smoke.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a low concentration group, a medium concentration group and a high concentration group, 8 cases in each group. In addition to the blank group, rats in the other groups were exposed to the corresponding concentration moxa smoke for 20 min every day, the T lymphocyte subsets and proportion of the CD4+ CD25+ Treg in CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood were tested by flow cytometry after 6 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the blank group, the proportions of CD3+ CD4+, CD3+ CD8+ T cells and CD3+ CD4/CD3+ CD8+ in the other 3 moxa smoke groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05), while the proportions of the CD4+ CD25+ Treg in CD4+ T cells were significantly lower (P < 0.05), but no statistically significant differences among those 3 moxa smoke intervention groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Long-term moxa smoke intervention has no significant effect on the proportions of CD3+ CD4+, CD3+ CD8+ T cells and CD3+ CD4+/CD3+ CD8+, but it can decrease the proportions of the CD4+ CD25+ Treg in CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood of rats. The way produced by pretreatment with moxa smoke may play immunomodulatory effect.</p>

The responses of moxibustion and the countermeasures / 中国针灸

To make a distinction among the local response of body, the moxibustion sensation, its influence on the disease, adverse reaction and others during and after the moxibustion treatment, and explore the countermeasures to these reactions in order to guide the clinical practice. Of them, the responses of the body surface and local acupoints are usual one of the bases to assess the moxibustion effect, while the occurs of moxibustion sensation and its influence on the disease are normal, which is not necessary to deal with, and the adverse reaction and others could be handled according to the different situations.

Effect of artemisia burning products on antioxidant enzymes in serum of SAMP8 mouse / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the anti-aging effect of artemisia burning products (ie. smoke of moxibustion) and its proper intervention parameters.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to factorial experiment design, 70 SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into one model group (group M) and 6 intervention groups: low concentration with 15 min group (group A1), low concentration with 30 min group (group A2), middle concentration with 15 min group (group B1), middle concentration with 30 min group (group B2), high concentration with 15 min group (group C1), high concentration with 30 min group (group C1). There were 10 cases in each group. Ten age-matched SAMR1 mice were used as normal group (group Z). All the mice in the 6 intervention groups were fumed with artemisia burning products of different concentration and time. The content of serum malondialdehyde (MDA), the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GSH-Px) were tested.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MDA content in group M was significantly higher than that in group Z (both P < 0.05), while SOD and GSH-Px activity were significantly lower in group M than that in group Z (both P < 0.05). Results of MDA, SOD and GSH-Px in 6 intervention groups were either of no statistically significant differences, or better than that in group M. Among 6 intervention groups, results of MDA and GSH-Px were better in group B1, while the result of SOD was better in group B2. Time factor didn't make any difference, while concentration of artemisia burning products is meaningful. As to SOD and GSH-Px, there's a strong interaction between the two factors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>With certain concentration and time period, the intervention of artemisia burning products can exert anti-aging effect by increasing antioxydative capability and reducing metabolites of free radicals. Middle concentration and 30 minutes are recommended when intervened with artemisia burning products.</p>

MA Shao-qun's clinical experience of warm moxibustion for the liver diseases / 中国针灸

To summarize MA Shao-qun's clinical experience of warm moxibustion for the liver diseases. The warm moxibustion was put to use by MA Shao-qun to treat many diseases, including hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver functional disorder. Under the human-oriented theory, he focuses on regulating the whole function of the body and tonifying the original qi to increase physical fitness and avoid illness. Besides, he is good at the combination of multi-acupoints for long-term and circulating moxibustion treatment, and also pays attention to nourishing the spleen-stomach, adjusting the fu-qi and resolving the dampness in the body.

Regional homogeneity analysis on acupoint specificity with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The mechanism of acupuncture analgesia in craniotomy has been widely studied. However, the theoretical basis for selection of acupoints has not been examined. In this study, we used the regional homogeneity method blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals to determine changes in brain activity in response to transcutaneous electrical stimulation on acupoints and non-acupoints in resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. BOLD fMRI scanning of the brain was performed for 306 seconds before and 30 minutes after transcutaneous electrical stimulation on acupoints UB63 (Jinmen), LV3 (Tai chong), ST36 (Zusanli), and GB40 (Qiuxu). The procedure was repeated after one week with stimulation on non-acupoints (one was 9 above BL67, the second was 12 above BL67 (Kunlun), the third was 7 above KI3, and the fourth was 10 above KI3 (Taixi)).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The regional homogeneity in the acupoint group was increased in the left thalamus, caudate, putamen, lentiform nucleus (BA19, 30, 39), postcentral gyrus, precentral gyrus (BA3, 4, 30, 32), calcarine fissure, middle temporal gyrus (BA30), right superior temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus (BA38), cuneus, and precuneus (BA7, 19) when compared to the non-acupoint group. The regional homogeneity of the acupoint group was decreased in the left cerebellum posterior lobe, middle frontal gyrus (BA10), double-side precuneus (BA7), and the postcentral gyrus (BA40).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The brain region activated following acupoint stimulation is the ipsilateral pain-related brain region, which may relate to the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on pain relief. Further acupoint stimulation causes different central nervous responses compared to non-acupoint stimulation.</p>

Thoughts and strategies of developing an international standard of nomenclature and location of auricular acupuncture points / 中国针灸

The new development on the international standard of nomenclature and location of auricular acupoints (AAP) was stated in this paper. The similarities and differences of the auricular acupuncture system in various countries were compared in this paper in order to provide suggestions and strategies for international standard of no menclature and location of AAP. In this paper, the international standard of AAP as a common language for international academic exchanges, the guidance for beginners and a basis for further research was mentioned. There were similarities and differences in the nomenclature and location of AAP in China and abroad. It was worthwhile to clarify the similarities and differences in order to promote the process of international standard of AAP. The five basic principles for the international standard of AAP are the basic research of auricular anatomy, the total auricular acupuncture points, principles for nomenclature, the practicality and the accuracy.

Investigation on the real herb of Mugwort leaf and the standard of its processing for moxibustion / 中国针灸

Mugwort leaf is the traditional herb being used for moxibustion. Although its place of production and the course of making Mugwort floss have been described in detail, there is no unified standard about the quality and processing of Mugwort floss until now, which seriously affect on the popularity and application of moxibustion. In accordance with the real herb of Mugwort leaf and floss as well as its processing and quality judgment, this paper thoroughly analyze the related data including ancient documents, modern research results and clinical applications. The authors consider that the Mugwort floss in the market is lack of regulations for its processing, and it needs to be discussed the way to judge the quality of Mugwort leaf by volatile oil, suggesting that the further study on the quality control of Mugwort leaf and floss has to be carried out from multiple aspects, such as physical attributes and chemical characteristics.

Analysis on chemical compositions of Artemisia Argyi from Qichun of different years and moxa wool refined in different proportions / 中国针灸

The article aims at providing theoretical foundation for security of moxibustion through analyzing chemical compositions of Artemisia Argyi of different years from Qichun County, Hubei Province, and moxa wool refined in different proportions. Artemisia Argyi from Qichun on 2007, 2008 and 2009 were taken as raw materials, and processed into moxa wool with the proportions of raw material and product as 3 : 1, 5 : 1, 8 : 1 and 15 : 1, respectively. Essential oils of Artemisia Argyi and the refined moxa wool were extracted by steam distillation. Their chemical compositions were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and calculated with semiquantitative method. The result showed that chemical compositions of Artemisia Argyi of different years and moxa wool refined in different proportions were almost the same, but their contents were with obvious difference. The relative content of volatile substances decreased with the age prolonged and a rise in the proportion of the refined moxa wool, while the involatile material increased. Therefore it can be concluded that the essential oil of Artemisia Argyi from Qichun and the refined moxa wool is basically safe. Involatile substances such as Juniper camphor, Caryophyllene oxide and Caryophyllene etc. are the main contents of high proportional moxa wool of old year. And these substances may be the effective components in moxibustion treatment.

Wet cupping of Iranian Traditional Medicine / 国际中医中药杂志

Wet cupping or full cupping is an ancient method of traditional medicine. According to historical documents the different schools of Traditional Medicine have used it. Iranian Traditional Medicine is a branch of Greece one which had an incredible role in developing that.Following, we review some of them in Iranian Traditional Medicine.To throw out a minnow to catch a whale, promote communication of both Chinese and Iranian ones.

Study on the mechanism of acupuncture at Daling (PC 7) for mental diseases by fMRI / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into the central nervous mechanism of acupuncture at Daling (PC 7) treating mental diseases by fMRI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eight healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Acupuncture stimulation was given at Daling (PC 7) in each subject with a stimulating pattern, "rest-stimulation-rest-stimulation-rest". The fMRI data were analyzed with SPM 2 software package.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The activating areas of acupuncture at Daling (PC 7) were mainly on Brodmann 46/47/44/9 areas of inferior frontal gyrus, Brodmann 6 area of middle frontal gyrus, Brodmann 22 area of superior temporal gyrus and Brodmann 40 area of postcentral gyrus and inferior parietal lobule.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pathogenetic factors of mental diseases are very complicated, damange or hypofunction or inadequate activation of frontal lobe and temporal lobe are closely related with mental diseases. Therefore, activating the frontal and temporal lobe possibly is one of the mechanisms of acupuncture at Daling (PC 7) treating mental diseases.</p>

Controlling methods of clinical research on acu-moxibustion commonly used of abroad / 中国中西医结合杂志

With the application of scientific studying methods, the level of clinical study has been improved greatly, and people has been paid more attention to scientific evaluation of the clinical effect of Chinese medicine and acu-moxibustion. Formerly, because of lack in acceptance and application of modern scientific studying methods in Chinese clinical acu-moxibustion researchers, their achievements weren't approved by the international academy for the faulty model of study. Randomized Control Trial (RCT) is the golden standard method widely accepted at present, so it is of great importance for clinical acu-moxibustion researchers to exert control methods correctly and effectively. The commonly used controlling methods of overseas clinical acu-moxibustion studies were discussed in this article in order to give some suggestion and benifits to the internal acu-moxibustion clinical researchers.

On acupuncture and moxibustion treatment based on the layers of "skin, vessel, muscle, tendon and bone" / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To expound the therapeutic method based on the layers of "skin, vessel, muscle, tendon and bone" and its clinical values.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Systematically explore the literature relative to treatments based on the layers in The Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic, cite, analyze and summarize contents of nine types of needling and needling methods, etc., relative to treatments based on the layers.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The principle and therapeutic methods based on the layers of "skin, vessel, muscle, tendon and bone" are expounded and it is hold that this therapeutic method is one of key theories of ancient acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. The theory of channels and collaterals and treatment based on the layers are two important aspects in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. Combination of the two aspects can increase therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The treatment based on layers of "skin, vessel, muscle, tendon and bone" is of important significance for recognition of acupuncture values in The Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic, a new establishment of diagnosis and examination, syndrome differentiation, treatment system of acupuncture and moxibustion independent of drug prescription, enriching acupuncture and moxibustion therapy, increasing the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion, and extending the range of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment.</p>