Purpose. To determine whether moxibustion influences the learning and memory behavior of ApoE−/− male mice, and investigate the mechanism of moxibustion on the alteration of oxidized proteins (glial fibrillary acidic protein, β-amyloid) in hippocampus. Methods. Thirty-three ApoE−/− mice were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 11/group): moxibustion, sham moxibustion, and no treatment control. Wild-type C57BL/6 mice (n = 13) were used for normal control. Moxibustion was performed with Shenque (RN8) moxibustion for 20 minutes per day, 6 days/week for 12 weeks. In sham control, the procedure was similar except burning of the moxa stick. Behavioral tests (step-down test and Morris water maze task) were conducted in the 13th week. The mice were then sacrificed and the tissues were harvested for immune-histochemical staining. Results. In the step-down test, the moxibustion group had shorter reaction time in training record and committed less mistakes compared to sham control. In immune-histochemical study, the moxibustion group expressed lower level of GFAP and less aggregation of β-amyloid in the hippocampus than the sham control. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that moxibustion may enhance learning capability of ApoE−/− mice. The mechanism may be via inhibiting oxidized proteins (GFAP and β-amyloid) in astrocytes.

Objective. To determine the effects of the moxa smoke on human heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). Methods. Fifty-five healthy young adults were randomly divided into experimental (n = 28) and control (n = 27) groups. Experimental subjects were exposed to moxa smoke (2.5 ± 0.5 mg/m3) twice for 25 minutes in one week. ECG monitoring was performed before, during, and after exposure. Control subjects were exposed to normal indoor air in a similar environment and similarly monitored. Followup was performed the following week. Short-term (5 min) HRV parameters were analyzed with HRV analysis software. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. Results. During and after the first exposure, comparison of percentage changes or changes in all parameters between groups showed no significant differences. During the second exposure, percentage decrease in HR, percentage increases in lnTP, lnHF, lnLF, and RMSSD, and increase in PNN50 were significantly greater in the experimental group than in control. Conclusion. No significant adverse HRV effects were associated with this clinically routine 25-minute exposure to moxa smoke, and the data suggests that short-term exposure to moxa smoke might have positive regulating effects on human autonomic function. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

The burning of moxa floss in moxibustion constitutes a major anthropogenic source of many gaseous pollutants, which has been associated with many different negative environmental health effects. The aim of the present study is to systemically study the concentration of gaseous pollutants emitted from different types of moxa floss combustion and present key information in abbreviated tabular form to assist in the assessment of air quality in moxibustion clinics and contribute to the safety evaluation of moxibustion. Sampling was divided into pre-combustion, combustion and postcombustion phases. The pollutants determined were carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) produced by burning three types of moxa floss samples. The average post-combustion concentrations for CO, CO 2 and NO 2 in moxibustion clinics were 9.333 ppm, 0.138% and 10.556 μg m -3 , respectively. SO 2 was below detectable limit. NO 2 concentration decreased during post-combustion, possibly as a result of reactions from moxa floss combustion. The levels of target gaseous pollutants from 4 g of moxa floss combustion were not produced in quantities that exceeded present international air quality standards and occupational exposure limits. Data from our study is important for the recognition and control of occupational and non-occupational gaseous exposure and for the assessment of air quality in moxibustion clinics by professional authorities.

No abstract

No abstract