1
|
Hsieh CH, Tseng ST, Hung YC, Chang TC, Hu WL, Lin CH. Effect of moxibustion on meridian in a warm needling model: A protocol for a prospective observational study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e31492. [PMID: 36451391 PMCID: PMC9704875 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000031492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Warm needling is a type of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which uses burned moxa to generate warmth and exerts a therapeutic effect on human skin. Additionally, based on TCM theory, warm needling could improve deficiency-cold syndrome. Research has found that warm needling has analgesic effects as well as effects on the immune system, endocrine system, nervous system, and lower urinary tract symptoms. However, the mechanism of warm needling on the meridians is not fully understood. In modern studies, the electric characteristics of the meridians have been discovered and the combination of semiconductor and TCM theory could explain the meridian phenomena through physics. However, there is no known research exploring the relationship between thermal effect and electric property on the meridians. METHODS A total of 30 healthy participants older than 20 years of age will be recruited for this study. The participants would first be administered acupuncture, following which the electric characteristics will be measured using the semiconductor analyzer Agilent B1500A/Agilent 4156C. The visual analog score (VAS) will also be rated. Thereafter, a burned moxa will be added to the acupuncture needles as a method for warm needling. The electric characteristics and VAS will be measured again. We will use the paired t-test and repeated measure two-way ANOVA to compare the electric characteristics and VAS before and after warm needling in each participant. OBJECTIVES This protocol aims to explore the thermal effect on the electric characteristics of meridians in a warm needling model and provide a scientific explanation of TCM through the aspect of physics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiao-Hsuan Hsieh
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ting Tseng
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chiang Hung
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Chang Chang
- Department of Physics, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Long Hu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- College of Nursing, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Kaohsiung Medical University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hung Lin
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- * Correspondence: Chien-Hung Lin, Department of Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833401, Taiwan (e-mail: )
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Comparative Study on Medicinal Natures (qi) of Black Ginseng, Red Ginseng, and Ginseng Leaves Based on Typical Deficiency-Heat Syndrome Rat Model. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:5194987. [PMID: 35502177 PMCID: PMC9056217 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5194987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
To elucidate the medicinal nature of black ginseng (BG) by comparison of the effects of four Chinese herbs with different medicinal natures on the deficiency-heat syndrome rat model which was established by intragastric administration of traditional Chinese drugs with hot nature, the appearance indexes, biochemical indexes, and pathological sections of thyroid and stomach were examined. In addition, the seven short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in rat feces were also determined by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to reveal the action mechanism of the drugs with different natures. Results indicated that all the 4 drugs could exhibit similar actions in regulating the biochemical indexes of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and corticosterone (CORT) representing the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes of the animal. However, cold-natured cortex phellodendri (HB) and ginseng leaves (GLs) showed stronger downregulation of the AChE activity of the nervous system. Red ginseng (RG) and BG tested exhibited stronger upregulation of the liver Na+-K+-ATPase activity. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that GLs are similar to those of HB which belongs to the cold-nature drug, whereas BG showed closer to RG which attributes to a warm-nature drug. Thus, BG could be ascribed to a warm-nature drug. Further research disclosed that RG and BG mainly regulated the acetic acid and GL and HB primarily modulated the isovaleric acid and hexanoic acid in rat feces, which could be the features of drugs with warm or cold nature on the regulation of SCFAs in rats. It is for the first time that the medicinal nature of BG and its effect on the SCFAs were examined.
Collapse
|
3
|
Li Y, Wu F, Wei J, Lao L, Shen X. The Effects of Laser Moxibustion on Knee Osteoarthritis Pain in Rats. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg 2020; 38:43-50. [PMID: 31549920 PMCID: PMC6978776 DOI: 10.1089/photob.2019.4716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Although chronic pain affects the quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis, current medical treatments are either ineffective or have long-term side effects. Recently, low-intensity laser irradiation of corresponding acupoints was demonstrated to alleviate pain. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 10.6 μm laser moxibustion on a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced knee osteoarthritis pain model. Methods: Thirty-two rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Saline, MIA, MIA+Laser, and MIA+Sham Laser. The 10.6 μm laser was used to irradiate the ST35 for 10 min once a day for a total of seven applications. The paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and weight-bearing difference were performed to evaluate the analgesic effects of laser moxibustion. At the end of the experiment on days 28, the joint histology, the levels of metalloproteinases-13 (MMP-13) in the cartilage, and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the synovial membrane were measured to determine the chondroprotection and anti-inflammatory effect of laser moxibustion. Results: Early laser moxibustion significantly reversed the MIA-induced mechanical hyperalgesia and weight-bearing difference, especially on the 28th day (p < 0.001). Moreover, laser moxibustion prevented the articular pathological lesions and cartilage destruction on days 28 (p < 0.01). Remarkably, the levels of cartilage MMP-13, and synovial TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 also decreased on day 28 (p < 0.05) after the early treatment of laser moxibustion. Conclusions: 10.6 μm laser moxibustion may have long-lasting analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and chondroprotection effects, suggesting that it may emerge as a potential therapeutic strategy for the chronic pain treatment of osteoarthritis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Wu
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianzi Wei
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lixing Lao
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Xueyong Shen
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Research Center of Acupuncture & Meridian, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lin M, Lin Y, Li X, Liang W, Wang S, Liu J, Liu X, Chen L, Qin Y. Warm sparse-dense wave inhibits cartilage degradation in papain-induced osteoarthritis through the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Exp Ther Med 2017; 14:3674-3680. [PMID: 29042963 PMCID: PMC5639397 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.4984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Cartilage degradation is an important in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Abnormal activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in chondrocytes promotes an inflammatory response, resulting in the release of chondral matrix-degrading enzymes that accelerate the degradation of cartilage. As a non-pharmaceutical and non-invasive physical therapy regimen, warm sparse-dense wave (WSDW) has been successfully used for the treatment of OA. However, it remains unclear whether WSDW inhibits cartilage degradation in OA through the MAPK signaling pathway. The present study investigated the effects of WSDW on papain-induced OA in rat knee joints. Papain-induced OA was established in rats, which were subsequently divided into a model group and three experimental groups that received a WSDW with the following ratios: WSDW=1:1, WSDW=1:2 and WSDW=2:1. After 12 weeks of treatment, cartilage degradation was evaluated by Mankin scoring of paraffin-embedded sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The changes in cartilage structure were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the expressions of RAS, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 and p53 were measured by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. WSDW was demonstrated to improve the arrangement of collagen fibers, inhibit the tidemark replication and delay cartilage degradation in papain-induced OA. The expressions of RAS, ERK, p38 and p53 in the WSDW (1:2) and (2:1) groups were significantly decreased when compared with the model group (P<0.01). Furthermore, amongst the WSDW groups, the inhibitory effects of the WSDW (1:2) group were typically greater than those of the WSDW (1:1) and (2:1) groups. The results indicate that WSDW may inhibit cartilage degradation in papain-induced OA in rat knee joints by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Munan Lin
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, P.R. China
| | - Yanhong Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Shanghang Hospital, Shanghang, Fujian 364200, P.R. China
| | - Xihai Li
- Institute of Bone Diseases, Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Wenna Liang
- Research Base of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Shuiliang Wang
- Laboratory Department, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, P.R. China
| | - Jiansheng Liu
- Institute of Bone Diseases, Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Xianxiang Liu
- Institute of Bone Diseases, Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Lidian Chen
- Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Yin Qin
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lin M, Li X, Liang W, Liu J, Guo J, Zheng J, Liu X. Needle-knife therapy improves the clinical symptoms of knee osteoarthritis by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Exp Ther Med 2014; 7:835-842. [PMID: 24669238 PMCID: PMC3961116 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2014.1516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a degenerative joint disease that occurs mainly in the elderly population. However, there are currently no effective treatments for treating this condition. In this study, the efficacy of needle-knife therapy, a technique of traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used to treat KOA was investigated. Patients (n=170) with KOA were randomly divided for needle-knife therapy (treatment group) and acupuncture therapy (control group). Outcome evaluation included stiffness, pain, physiological function, overall changes, total symptom score, clinical curative effects and the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the synovial fluid. The trial was completed in 151 patients (233 knees) from a total of 170 patients (264 knees); the treatment group comprised 76 patients (117 knees) who completed the trial and 9 patients (14 knees) who were removed from the study, and the control group comprised 75 patients (116 knees) who completed the trial and 10 patients (17 knees) who were removed from the study. The symptom scores of KOA in stages I–IV were reduced significantly in the treatment group and those of stages I–III were decreased significantly in the control group. The effective rate of the KOA therapy in the patients of stages III and IV in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group. After treatment, the decrements of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the treatment group were greater than those in the control group. These results showed that the use of needle-knife therapy to treat KOA effectively improved the clinical symptoms by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Munan Lin
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, P.R. China
| | - Xihai Li
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P.R. China
| | - Wenna Liang
- Research Base of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Jianhua Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, P.R. China
| | - Jianhong Guo
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, P.R. China
| | - Jingxiong Zheng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, P.R. China
| | - Xianxiang Liu
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
The holistic effects of acupuncture treatment. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 2014:739708. [PMID: 24527051 PMCID: PMC3913204 DOI: 10.1155/2014/739708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a complex medical science which reflects philosophical principles and embodies large dialectical thought, is used to place the human body into a large system for observation. Acupuncture as a vital part of TCM, has been practiced to treat various diseases and symptoms. However, acupuncture is also facing severe challenges resulted from insufficient modern scientific research. Nowadays, the holistic effects of acupuncture can be researched by some modern approaches, such as the systems biology and fMRI technique. It is believed that having a better understand will greatly promote acupuncture research and be beneficial to scientization and modernization of acupuncture.
Collapse
|
7
|
Fang J, Zheng N, Wang Y, Cao H, Sun S, Dai J, Li Q, Zhang Y. Understanding Acupuncture Based on ZHENG Classification from System Perspective. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2013; 2013:956967. [PMID: 24348731 PMCID: PMC3857847 DOI: 10.1155/2013/956967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Revised: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Acupuncture is an efficient therapy method originated in ancient China, the study of which based on ZHENG classification is a systematic research on understanding its complexity. The system perspective is contributed to understand the essence of phenomena, and, as the coming of the system biology era, broader technology platforms such as omics technologies were established for the objective study of traditional chinese medicine (TCM). Omics technologies could dynamically determine molecular components of various levels, which could achieve a systematic understanding of acupuncture by finding out the relationships of various response parts. After reviewing the literature of acupuncture studied by omics approaches, the following points were found. Firstly, with the help of omics approaches, acupuncture was found to be able to treat diseases by regulating the neuroendocrine immune (NEI) network and the change of which could reflect the global effect of acupuncture. Secondly, the global effect of acupuncture could reflect ZHENG information at certain structure and function levels, which might reveal the mechanism of Meridian and Acupoint Specificity. Furthermore, based on comprehensive ZHENG classification, omics researches could help us understand the action characteristics of acupoints and the molecular mechanisms of their synergistic effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junwei Fang
- Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Systems Biology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ningning Zheng
- Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Systems Biology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Systems Biology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Huijuan Cao
- Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Systems Biology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shujun Sun
- Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Systems Biology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianye Dai
- Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Systems Biology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qianhua Li
- Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Systems Biology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yongyu Zhang
- Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Systems Biology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yin HY, Tang Y, Lu SF, Luo L, Wang JP, Liu XG, Yu SG. Gene Expression Profiles at Moxibustioned Site (ST36): A Microarray Analysis. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2013; 2013:890579. [PMID: 24198847 PMCID: PMC3807720 DOI: 10.1155/2013/890579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
As a major alternative therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it has been demonstrated that moxibustion could generate a series of molecular events in blood, spleen, and brain, and so forth. However, what would happen at the moxibustioned site remained unclear. To answer this question, we performed a microarray analysis with skin tissue taken from the moxibustioned site also Zusanli acupoint (ST36) where 15-minute moxibustion stimulation was administrated. The results exhibited 145 upregulated and 72 downregulated genes which responded immediately under physiological conditions, and 255 upregulated and 243 downregulated genes under pathological conditions. Interestingly, most of the pathways and biological processes of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under pathological conditions get involved in immunity, while those under physiological conditions are involved in metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Yan Yin
- Acupuncture & Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
- Joint Laboratory of Biochip between Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and CapitalBio Co. Ltd., 37 Shi-er Qiao Road, Chengdu 610075, China
- Key Laboratory for Acupuncture & Chronobiology of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610075, China
| | - Yong Tang
- Acupuncture & Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
- Joint Laboratory of Biochip between Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and CapitalBio Co. Ltd., 37 Shi-er Qiao Road, Chengdu 610075, China
- Key Laboratory for Acupuncture & Chronobiology of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610075, China
| | - Sheng-Feng Lu
- Acupuncture & Tuina School, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Ling Luo
- Acupuncture & Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
| | - Jia-Ping Wang
- Acupuncture & Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
| | - Xu-Guang Liu
- Acupuncture & Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
| | - Shu-Guang Yu
- Acupuncture & Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
- Laboratory for Acupuncture & Systematic Biology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Systems biology of meridians, acupoints, and chinese herbs in disease. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2012; 2012:372670. [PMID: 23118787 PMCID: PMC3483864 DOI: 10.1155/2012/372670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2012] [Accepted: 09/26/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Meridians, acupoints, and Chinese herbs are important components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). They have been used for disease treatment and prevention and as alternative and complementary therapies. Systems biology integrates omics data, such as transcriptional, proteomic, and metabolomics data, in order to obtain a more global and complete picture of biological activity. To further understand the existence and functions of the three components above, we reviewed relevant research in the systems biology literature and found many recent studies that indicate the value of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Acupuncture is useful in pain moderation and relieves various symptoms arising from acute spinal cord injury and acute ischemic stroke. Moreover, Chinese herbal extracts have been linked to wound repair, the alleviation of postmenopausal osteoporosis severity, and anti-tumor effects, among others. Different acupoints, variations in treatment duration, and herbal extracts can be used to alleviate various symptoms and conditions and to regulate biological pathways by altering gene and protein expression. Our paper demonstrates how systems biology has helped to establish a platform for investigating the efficacy of TCM in treating different diseases and improving treatment strategies.
Collapse
|
10
|
Jia J, Yu Y, Deng JH, Robinson N, Bovey M, Cui YH, Liu HR, Ding W, Wu HG, Wang XM. A review of Omics research in acupuncture: the relevance and future prospects for understanding the nature of meridians and acupoints. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2012; 140:594-603. [PMID: 22322253 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2011] [Revised: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 01/21/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
RELEVANCE Acupuncture is an intrinsic part of traditional Chinese medicine. The current understanding of the acupuncture meridian system, acupoints and the potential utilizing Omics technologies are summarized in this review. MATERIAL AND METHODS A systematic search for acupuncture involving Omics technologies was carried out using multiple online literature databases. The records retrieved were from the full collections of each database dated to September 2011. Data produced from functional genomic technologies were extracted from the collected acupuncture/moxibustion studies and subjected to evaluation. Analyses and comments were summarized on the advances in experimental research in acupuncture/moxibustion-related studies, and the future for strategies and approaches in the era of functional genomics highlighted. RESULTS An overview of articles indicated that several diseases or symptoms with evidence of effectiveness had been piloted for using functional genomic technologies, such as Parkinson's disease, allergic disorders, pain, and spinal cord injury, most of which are chronic "difficult diseases". High-throughput genomic and proteomic profiling of gene expression in tissues has been able to identify potential candidates for the effects of acupuncture and provide valuable information toward understanding the possible mechanisms of the therapy. However, without further holistic and sophisticated analyses in the context of metabolomics and systems biology, the current attempts and the foreseeable developments appear to be insufficient to produce firm conclusions. Noticeably, the recent rapid advances in functional molecular imaging targeting specific metabolites have shown great promise and if combined with other post-genomic technologies, could be extremely helpful for the acupuncture studies in human subjects. CONCLUSION This review suggest that disease-oriented studies using the approach of multi-indexed high-throughput technologies and systems biology analyses will be a preferred strategy for future acupuncture/moxibustion research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Jia
- Department of Physiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|