Effects of moxibustion and Chinese herbs on contents of mitochondrial DNA, serum IL-2 and IL-6 in the aging model rat / 中国针灸

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into the mechanisms of moxibustion and Chinese herbs in delaying aging.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into a young control group, an aging group, a moxibustion group, a Chinese herb group and a moxibustion plus Chinese herb group. In the latter 4 groups, aging rat model was established by hypodermic injection of D-galactose. In the course of modeling, the 3 treatment group were treated by mild-warm moxibustion at "Zusanli (ST 36)", "Shenshu (BL 23)" and "Guanyuan (CV 4)" with reinforcing method, stomach perfusion of decoction of Liuwei Dihuang plus Danggui (Angelica) and Danshen (Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bge), and the moxibustion plus the Chinese herbs, respectively. After treatment for 40 days, liver mitochondrial DNA, serum IL-2 and IL-6 contents were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The mitochondrial DNA content of liver cells and serum IL-6 level significantly increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and serum IL-2 level significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the aging model group as compared with those in the young control group. (2) The mitochondrial DNA content of liver cells and serum IL-6 level significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and serum IL-2 level significantly increased (P < 0.05) in all the treatment group as compared with those in the aging model group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Moxibustion and Chinese herbs function delaying aging though decreasing mitochondrial DNA content of liver cells and serum IL-6 level and increasing serum IL-2 level.</p>