Effect of Moxa Smoke on Amino Acids Neurotransmitters in Brain of Senescence Accelerated Mice / 中国中医药信息杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effect of moxa smoke (Artemisia vulgaris) on amino acids neurotransmitters in the brain of senescence accelerated mouse (SAMP8) and explore the anti-aging effect of moxa smoke. Methods Totally 70 SAMP8 were randomized into one model control group and 6 intervention groups, and 10 SAMR1 mice were used as normal control group. There were low, medium and high concentrations of moxa smoke during intervention. Moxa smoke intervention was performed 15 min/30 min each day for 28 days. High performance liquid chromatographic method was used to determine the levels of Glu, Asp and GABA in the brain of the mice. Results Compared with the normal control group, the levels of Asp and Glu in the model control group were significantly higher, while the GABA was significantly lower. The levels of Asp and Glu in 6 intervention groups were significantly lower than those in the model control group, while GABA was significantly higher than or the same as the model control group. There was no significant difference among different intervention groups in the levels of Asp and Glu, while the 30 min-medium concentration moxa smoke had the most significant effect in increasing the level of GABA. Conclusion Moxa smoke intervention could decrease the high level of Asp and Glu, and increase the low level of GABA in SAMP8. It could achieve the effect of anti-aging through adjusting the abnormal metabolism of amino acids in the brain.