Effect of moxa smoke produced during combustion of Aiye (Folium Artemisiae Argyi) on behavioral changes in mice inhaling the smoke

Mild moxibustion for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D): A randomized controlled trial

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Moxibustion therapy is a traditional Chinese medicine external treatment method, which involves crushing dried herb Artemisia argyi H. Lév. & Vanio and rolling it into a long cigarette-like strip, igniting it and using its warmth to stimulate specific acupuncture points for a certain period of time. It is often used in Asia to treat various diseases, especially abdominal pain. Clinical reports suggest that acupuncture and moxibustion are the effective treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D). However, there is no placebo-controlled study to prove its safety and efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of mild moxibustion (MM) for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) through comparisons with those of placebo moxibustion.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a single-site, randomized controlled trial was conducted at Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian in China and enrolled 76 participants who met the Rome IV diagnostic criteria for IBS-D between May 2017 and December 2019. 76 participants were randomized to either mild moxibustion (MM) or placebo moxibustion group (PM) in a 1:1 ratio. 18 sessions of MM or PM were implemented over the course of 6 weeks (3 times per week). The primary outcome was adequate relief after 6 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

Of 76 patients with IBS-D who were randomized (38 in the MM group and 38 in the PM group) were included in the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis set. After treatment at week 6, the response rate was significantly higher in the MM group than the PM group (81.58% vs. 36.84%) with an estimated difference of 44.74 (95% CI, 23.46 to 66.02, P < 0.001). No participant reported severe adverse effects.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that mild moxibustion may be more effective than placebo moxibustion for the treatment of IBS-D, with effects lasting up to 12 weeks.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR, ChiCTR2100046852. Registered 29 May 2021 - Retrospectively registered, URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=127000.

The effect of auricular therapy on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:

Although a number of clinical studies have investigated the effectiveness and safety of auricular therapy for treating hypertension, the overall evidence remains uncertain.

Aims:

We aimed to evaluate the evidence for the effect of auricular therapy on blood pressure using meta-analysis methodology.

Methods:

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library databases, Clinicalkey, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Scientific Journal Database and Wanfang Database and Chinese Biomedicine for trials that compared the effects of auricular therapy to that of sham auricular therapy, antihypertensive drugs, or no intervention on blood pressure. Blood pressure values before and after treatment, magnitude of blood pressure change between baseline and post-intervention, and the efficacy rate, as outcomes, were synthesized by RevMan 5.3. Continuous outcomes were expressed as weighted mean differences, and dichotomous data were expressed as relative risks with 95% confidence intervals.

Results:

We systematically reviewed 44 randomized controlled trials (involving 5022 patients through June 2018). Auricular acupressure plus antihypertensive drugs might be more effective than antihypertensive drugs alone in both reducing systolic blood pressure value after treatment (n=464 patients; mean difference, −5.06 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval, –6.76– −3.36, p<0.00001; I²=32%), decreasing diastolic blood pressure after treatment (n=464 patients; mean difference, −5.30 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval, –6.27– −4.33, p<0.00001; I²=0%) and the efficacy rate (relative risk, 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.17–1.26; p<0.00001; I²=0%).

Conclusion:

Auricular therapy could be provided to patients with hypertension as an adjunct to antihypertensive drugs for lowering blood pressure value and achieving blood pressure targets.

Lung Function Decline after 24 Weeks of Moxa Smoke Exposure in Rats

OBJECTIVE

Moxibustion is a complementary therapy that has been used for thousands of years. Burning moxa produces smoke and inhalable particulates. Recent research has indicated that smoke inhalation is associated with negative lung effects. This study aimed to evaluate the lung function of rats after moxa smoke exposure at different concentrations.

METHODS

Using a randomised block experiment design, 28 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three moxa smoke groups (opacity) (n=7): low concentration (27.45 mg/m3), medium concentration (168.76 mg/m3), and high concentration (384.67 mg/m3) with a control group. Rats in the moxa smoke groups were exposed in an automatic dynamic exposure device separately with different concentrations for 20 min/d, 6d/week, for 24 weeks. Rats in the control group were exposed in the same space without moxa smoke. Lung function was evaluated by the AniRes 2005 animal pulmonary function analysing system. Statistical Product and Service Solutions 18.0 software was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

In the study, no deaths were found in any group. There was no difference of forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity percentage (FEV1/FVC%), inspiratory resistance (Ri), and expiratory resistance (Re) among each group after 24 weeks of moxa smoke exposure (P>0.05). Compared with the control group (0.33 ml/cmH20), dynamic compliance (Cdyn) was reduced in the medium (0.29 ml/cmH20) and high (0.25 ml/cmH20) concentration groups (P<0.05); however, Cdyn in the low concentration group (0.29 ml/cmH20) was not significantly affected.

CONCLUSION

Moxa smoke exposure at low concentrations did not affect the rat's lung function. Moxa smoke of medium and high concentrations destroyed the lung function represented by decreased Cdyn. However, moxa smoke of low concentrations (27.45 mg/m3) is much higher than the concentration in a regular moxibustion clinic (3.54 mg/m3). Moxa smoke at higher concentrations might destroy the lung function. The safety evaluation of moxa smoke requires further research.