Acupuncture-Stimulated Activation of Sensory Neurons

Min-Hee Kim,,남궁욱,박양춘 사단법인약침학회 2012 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.5 No.4

Acupuncture is one of the key therapeutics in clinical oriental medicine, and recent studies using experimental animals have begun to provide the pathophysiological basis for the efficacy of acupuncture. Here, we investigated neuronal responses in rodent models given acupuncture stimulation. In both mice and rats, acupuncture stimulation at zusanli (ST36) generated an increased expression of axonal growth-associated protein (GAP-43) in the sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Electroacupuncture stimulation at ST36 in rats induced GAP-43 mRNA and protein expression in DRG neurons at the levels of lumbar 4 and 5. Stimulation on a non-acupuncture site as a sham control induced GAP-43 expression as well, but the induction level was lower than it was with acupuncture. We further found that acupuncture stimulation upregulated phospho-Erk1/2 signals in DRG neurons. Electroacupuncture stimulation induced c-Fos expression in the neurons of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMV), which was identified by retrograde tracing. These data suggest that acupuncture stimulation may generate physiological effects on the autonomic nervous system via the activation of a somatosensory pathway.

Phytochemical Profile of Erythrina variegata by Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy Analyses

Suriyavathana Muthukrishnan,Subha Palanisamy,Senthilkumar Subramanian,Sumathi Selvaraj,Kavitha Rani Mari,Ramalingam Kuppulingam 사단법인약침학회 2016 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.9 No.4

Natural products derived from plant sources have been utilized to treat patients with numerous diseases. The phytochemical constituents present in ethanolic leaf extract of Erythrina variegata (ELEV) were identified by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analyses. Shade dried leaves were powdered and extracted with ethanol for analyses through HPLC to identify selected flavonoids and through GC-MS to identify other molecules. The HPLC analysis of ELEV showed the presence of gallic and caffeic acids as the major components at concentrations of 2.0 ppm and 0.1 ppm, respectively, as well as other components. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 3-eicosyne; 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol; butanoic acid, 3-methyl-3,7-dimethyl-6-octenyl ester; phytol; 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, diundecyl ester; 1-octanol, 2-butyl-; squalene; and 2H-pyran, 2-(7-heptadecynyloxy) tetrahydro-derivative. Because pharmacopuncture is a new evolving natural mode that uses herbal extracts for treating patients with various ailments with minimum pain and maximum effect, the results of this study are particularly important and show that ELEV possesses a wide range of phytochemical constituents, as indicated above, as effective active principle molecules that can be used individually or in combination to treat patients with various diseases. Natural products derived from plant sources have been utilized to treat patients with numerous diseases. The phytochemical constituents present in ethanolic leaf extract of Erythrina variegata (ELEV) were identified by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analyses. Shade dried leaves were powdered and extracted with ethanol for analyses through HPLC to identify selected flavonoids and through GC-MS to identify other molecules. The HPLC analysis of ELEV showed the presence of gallic and caffeic acids as the major components at concentrations of 2.0 ppm and 0.1 ppm, respectively, as well as other components. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 3-eicosyne; 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol; butanoic acid, 3-methyl-3,7-dimethyl-6-octenyl ester; phytol; 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, diundecyl ester; 1-octanol, 2-butyl-; squalene; and 2H-pyran, 2-(7-heptadecynyloxy) tetrahydro-derivative. Because pharmacopuncture is a new evolving natural mode that uses herbal extracts for treating patients with various ailments with minimum pain and maximum effect, the results of this study are particularly important and show that ELEV possesses a wide range of phytochemical constituents, as indicated above, as effective active principle molecules that can be used individually or in combination to treat patients with various diseases.

Acupuncture Suppresses Morphine Craving in Progressive Ratio Through the GABA System

이봉효,Rong Jie Zhao,이병권,김남준,양재하,김희영,곽영섭,임성철,김재수,이윤규,이현종 사단법인약침학회 2015 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.8 No.4

Previous studies revealed that acupuncture suppressed both morphine self-administration and morphine-seeking behavior after abstinence. Based on these results, this study examined whether acupuncture attenuated morphine-craving under a progressive ratio (PR) schedule and investigated the possible neuronal mechanism. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to self-administer morphine (0.5 mg/kg) at a fixed ratio for 9 days, and rats who achieved stable infusion were switched to a PR schedule. When animals had taken no more morphine for 1 hour, the number of infusions was defined as the break point (BP). After PR training, animals that had established a stable BP received acupuncture the next day. Acupuncture was applied for 1 minute immediately before the test session. Bicuculline (1.0 mg/kg) and SCH 50911 (2.0 mg/kg) were given 30 minutes prior to acupuncture. The c-Fos levels in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc) were examined. Acupuncture at SI5 reduced the BP significantly. Moreover, the effects of acupuncture were blocked by either bicuculline or SCH 50911. Immunofluorescence revealed that acupuncture at SI5 decreased c-Fos expressions in the VTA and the NAc. This study demonstrates that acupuncture at SI5 is effective for the treatment of morphine-craving and that this effect is mediated via the GABA pathway.

A New Document on Smallpox Vaccination

Zahra Tayarani-Najaran,Nilufar Tayarani-Najaran,Amirhossein Sahebkar,Seyed Ahmad Emami 사단법인약침학회 2016 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.9 No.6

Modern medicine owes much to the invaluable heritage of the practices of past generations and their achievements that have now become medical rules. In the case of vaccination, there is evidence that the nomads of Baluchistan (Southeast Iran) demonstrated natural immunization against cowpox, a practice that was later introduced to the medical community by Edward Jenner. Although the discoveries of scientists cannot be ignored, they are certainly based on the traditional and indigenous experiences that have been transferred from generation to generation until reaching us.

Changes in Blood Fluidity Caused by Electroacupuncture Stimulation

Tadashi Hisamitsu,Shintaro Ishikawa 사단법인약침학회 2014 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.7 No.4

In Oriental medicine, the state of blood stagnation is called “Oketsu,” meaning preceding state or symptomatic of sickness. Acupuncture stimulation is often used clinically for the treatment of “Oketsu.” The degree of “Oketsu” is indicated by tongue color and form, swelling, paroxysmal blushing, and dark circles under the eyes. The blood’s fluidity is generally thought to be a blood stagnation factor. “Oketsu” is now considered as physio- logical blood flow and is studied from the perspective of the blood’s fluidity and vascular resistance. In our preliminary research, acupuncture stimuli were very effective in treat- ing conditions associated with a decrease in the fluidity of the blood, such as “Oketsu.” In this review, we discuss recent progress in acupuncture therapy and report mechanisms of its action; we then focus on our original findings on these topics. Furthermore, we pro- pose new factors related to acupuncture stimuli, including the blood’s fluidity, and report our investigations, using the restraint stress method, on the mechanisms underlying acupuncture stimuli.

Electroacupuncture Improves Insulin Resistance by Reducing Neuroprotein Y/ Agouti-Related Protein Levels and Inhibiting Expression of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B in Diet-induced Obese Rats

Xia Liu,Jun-Feng He,Ya-Ting Qu,Zhi-Jun Liu,Qing-Yang Pu,Shengtong Guo,Jia Du,Peng-Fei Jiang 사단법인약침학회 2016 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.9 No.2

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to exert beneficial effects on obesity, but the mechanism is unclear. This study investigated the effects of EA on diet-induced obese (DIO) rats. Fifty male SpragueeDawley rats were randomly divided into low-fat diet (LFD, 10 rats) and high-fat diet (HFD, 40 rats) groups. After the DIO models had been established, successful model rats were randomly divided into HFD, EA, and orlistat (OLST) groups. The EA group received EA at Zusanli (ST36) and Quchi (LI11) for 20 minutes once per day for 28 days. The OLST group was treated with orlistat by gavage. The body weight, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index, adipocyte diameters, and neuroprotein Y/agouti-related protein and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B levels were significantly lower in the EA group than in the HFD group. The rats of the OLST group showed watery stools and yellow hairs whereas those of the EA group had regular stools and sleek coats. The effect of EA on weight loss may be related to improved insulin resistance caused by changes in the adipocyte size and by reductions in the expressions of neuroprotein Y/agouti-related protein and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B. This study indicates that EA may be a better method of alternative therapy for treating obesity and other metabolic diseases.

Overview for Various Aspects of the Health Benefits of Piper Longum Linn. Fruit

Suresh Kumar,Jitpal Kamboj,Suman,Sunil Sharma 사단법인약침학회 2011 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.4 No.2

Herbal remedies have become popular, due in part to the lower risk of adverse reactions. Thousands of plants have been used traditionally to treat various diseases. Among them, species of the genus Piper are important medicinal plants used in various systems of medicine. The Piper longum fruit has been used in traditional medicine, including the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Although there are numerous indications for its use, controlled trials are needed to determine its efficacy. The primary constituents isolated from various parts of P. longum are piperine, piperlongumine,sylvatin, sesamin, diaeudesmin piperlonguminine, pipermonaline, and piperundecalidine. It is most commonly used to treat chronic bronchitis, asthma,constipation, gonorrhea, paralysis of the tongue, diarrhea, cholera, chronic malaria,viral hepatitis, respiratory infections, stomachache, bronchitis, diseases of the spleen, cough, and tumors. This study provides detailed information about the P. longum fruit, including phytochemistry, pharmacological profile and safety profile. In view of the commercial, economic, and medicinal importance of the P. longum plant, it is useful for researchers to study the plant in detail.

Comparison of the Effects of Myofascial Meridian Stretching Exercises and Acupuncture in Patients with Low Back Pain

Büyükşireci Dilek Eker,Demirsoy Nesrin,Mit Setenay,Geçioğlu Ersel,Onurlu İlknur,Günendi Zafer 사단법인약침학회 2022 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.15 No.6

Background: Acupuncture and myofascial meridians show great anatomical and clinical compatibility. Objectives: We aimed to compare the effects of myofascial meridian stretching exercises and acupuncture in patients with low back pain. Methods: We randomized 81 subjects with acute/subacute low back pain into three groups: an acupuncture (A) group, a myofascial meridian stretching (MMS) group, and a control (C) group. We recorded the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Roland- Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ) scores at baseline and weeks two and six. We evaluated posterior pelvic tilt and transversus abdominis muscle strenghth with a pressure biofeedback unit, back extensor muscle strength by the Sorenson test, and lumbar range of motion (ROM) with an inclinometer. Group A received acupuncture (BL 57 and BL 62 acupoints) and stretching exercises according to the posterior superficial line were applied to the MMS group. Results: Improvements in the NRS score were more prominent in group A than in group C (p = 0.004). The RMQ score improvement between baseline and weeks two and six was more prominent in groups A and MMS (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). The Sorenson test showed significant improvement between the baseline and week two in groups A and MMS (p = 0.004, p < 0.001, respectively). The increase in lumbar ROM measurement in the MMS group between baseline and week two was significantly higher than in groups A and C (p = 0.009, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Stretching exercises according to the myofascial meridian system and acupuncture contributed to improved symptoms in the first two weeks in patients with acute/subacute low-back pain.

Proposed Catalog of the Neuroanatomy and the Stratified Anatomy for the 361 Acupuncture Points of 14 Channels

Will Chapple 사단법인약침학회 2013 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.6 No.5

Background: In spite of the extensive research on acupuncture mechanisms, no comprehensive and systematic peer-reviewed reference list of the stratified anatomical and the neuroanatomical features of all 361 acupuncture points exists. This study creates a reference list of the neuroanatomy and the stratified anatomy for each of the 361 acupuncture points on the 14 classical channels and for 34 extra points. Methods: Each acupuncture point was individually assessed to relate the point’s location to anatomical and neuroanatomical features. The design of the catalogue is intended to be useful for any style of acupuncture or Oriental medicine treatment modality. The stratified anatomy was divided into shallow, intermediate and deep insertion. A separate stratified anatomy was presented for different needle angles and directions. Results: The following are identified for each point: additional specifications for point location, the stratified anatomy, motor innervation, cutaneous nerve and sensory innervation, dermatomes, Langer’s lines, and somatotopic organization in the primary sensory and motor cortices. Acupuncture points for each muscle, dermatome and myotome are also reported. Conclusion: This reference list can aid clinicians, practitioners and researchers in furthering the understanding and accurate practice of acupuncture. Additional research on the anatomical variability around acupuncture points, the frequency of needle contact with an anatomical structure in a clinical setting, and conformational imaging should be done to verify this catalogue.

Antinociceptive, Anti-inflammatory Effects and Acute Toxicity of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Myrtus communis L. Aerial Parts in Mice

Hossein Hosseinzadeh,Mohammad Khoshdel,Maryam Ghorbani 사단법인약침학회 2011 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.4 No.4

Myrtus communis L. aerial parts have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory disease. In this study 350 mice were divided into three main groups:negative (saline), positive (morphine or diclofenac) controls, and test groups. The acute toxicity was assessed for 2 days. Antinociceptive activity was performed using hot plate and writhing tests. The anti-inflammatory effect was investigated using xylene-induced ear edema and a cotton pellet test. According to phytochemical screening, the extracts contained tannins, alkaloids, and flavonoids. The LD50 values of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts were 0.473 and 0.79 g/kg, respectively. In hot plate test, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed significant antinociceptive activity that was inhibited by naloxone. The extracts exhibited antinociceptive activity against acetic acideinduced writhing and also showed significant activity against acute inflammation which was dose dependent for aqueous extract. The ethanolic (0.05 g/kg) and aqueous extracts (0.005,0.015, and 0.03 g/kg) demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects against chronic inflammation. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the aerial parts of M communis L. showed antinociceptive effects and these may be mediated by opioid receptors.