Neurovascular mechanism whereby tropical-herb Rattan Moxibustion treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy of blood stasis type

ABSTRACT

Objective: To observe the neurovascular mechanism of Rattan Moxibustion in the treatment of blood stasis type diabetic peripheral neuropathy . Methods: Seventy db/db mice were randomly divided into 7 groups including normal group, blood stasis model group, α-lipoic acid group, fake Rattan Moxibustion group, and three subgroups of Rattan Moxibustion-15-min, 20-min, and 25-min group respectively. After 6 weeks' Rattan Moxibustion therapy, thermal pain threshold, blood glucose, endothelin, nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthase and malondialdehyde levels were detected, and pancreatic tissues morphology were observed under light microscopy. Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) proteins in dorsal root neuron were detected by Western blotting. Results: Compared with normal group, blood stasis model group, fake Rattan Moxibustion group, thermal pain threshold of Rattan Moxibustion group was significantly improved (P<0.05); the blood glucose, endothelin, nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthase and malondialdehyde levels of the 20-min group were significantly ameliorated (P<0.01). In the Rattan Moxibustion groups, the chronic inflammation was found to be reduced according to hematoxylin-eosin staining results and Rattan Moxibustion groups HO-1 expression has been strengthened. Conclusions: Rattan Moxibustion therapy can significantly improve peripheral nerve function in diabetic peripheral neuropathy of blood stasis type in mice, improve the blood stasis of pathological state; it can also reduce the chronic inflammation of the pancreas. The mechanism may ameliorate vasoactive and antioxidant factors, enhance HO-1 expression, ultimately improve microcirculation and enhance antioxidant capacity of the model mice.