Influence of herb-partitioned moxibustion at Qihai (CV6) and bilateral Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) acupoints on toll-like receptors 4 signaling pathways in patients with ulcerative coliti.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of herb-partitioned moxibustion (HPM) at Qihai (CV6), Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) acupoints in relieving symptoms and the immune regulation of HPM on the toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. METHODS: A randomized, single-blind study was conducted 63 patients to receive HPM or sham HPM treatment. The efficacy outcomes included scores of the Mayo, Baron, inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (IBDQ), self-rating depression scale (SDS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS). HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of the colon. The expression of inflammatory cytokines and TLR4 signaling pathway related molecules were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Baron, SDS, SAS scores were significantly decreased in moxibustion group (P < 0.05), IBDQ score was significantly greater in the moxibustion group than in the sham moxibustion group (P < 0.05). Histopathology of mucosal biopsies showed that both two groups improved in mucosa after treatment. The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-2, interleukin-12, interferon-γ, and TLR4, lipopolysaccharide, myeloid differentiation factor 88, interleukin receptor associated kinase, tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6 and nuclear factor kappa-B p65 were significantly lower in the moxibustion group than in the sham moxibustion group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed that HPM at Qihai?(CV6),?Tianshu?(ST25) and?Shangjuxu (ST37) acupoints is effective to relieve symptoms, anxiety, depression and improving life quality in UC patients, which may be related to the immune regulation of HPM on TLR4 signaling pathway.

Review of Clinical Studies of the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis Using Acupuncture and Moxibustion.

Background. Clinical studies suggest that acupuncture and moxibustion therapy in ulcerative colitis (UC) can regulate bowel inflammation, and these treatments have the advantages of low rates of adverse reactions and recurrence as well as good long-term efficacy. We reviewed the current status of clinical studies of the treatment. Methods. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using the therapy as the major intervention for treating UC were included from 1995 to 2015. The extracted data mainly included diagnostic standards, treatment methods, selection of acupoints, treatment times and courses, and efficacy determination criteria. Results. The use of diagnostic standards and efficacy criteria lacked unification and standardization. There were two main groups: acupuncture and moxibustion therapy combined with drug treatment and the use of all types of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy alone or in combination. The acupoint compositions included distal-proximal point combinations, back-shu point and front-mu point combinations, and acupuncture through meridians. The treatment courses in all the clinical trials had large variations. Conclusion. The treatment of UC in the examined articles was mainly based on the classical theory. However, many links of the clinical regimen design were still lacking, which affected the repeatability of the clinical studies and the accuracy of the clinical conclusions.