Moxibustion Has a Positive Effect on Pulmonary Fibrosis: An Alternative Approach

Abstract

Background: An increasing number of people suffered idiopathic fibrosis (IPF) and the current treatment was far from clinical satisfaction. Moxibustion, another effective and safe unconventional therapy, had been introduced to treat this refractory disease. The study aimed to investigate the effect of moxibustion on a bleomycin A5-induced pulmonary fibrosis model. Materials and Methods: Sprague-dawley (SD) rats were randomly allocated to the blank group, model group, moxibustion group, and prednisone group, for which they received no treatment, modeling, moxibustion treatment and prednisone treatment. After four-week treatment, the rats were euthanized for Hematoxylin and Eosin (H.E.) staining, and TGF-β1 and IFN-γ protein and mRNA detection in lungs.Results: In the model group, TGF-β1 was significantly increased and IFN-γ was significantly decreased at both protein and mRNA levels in comparison to the blank group. In the moxibustion and prednisone group, however, TGF-β1 was decreased and IFN-γ was increased at both protein and mRNA levels in comparison to the model groups. Compared with prednisone, moxibustion showed comparable effect in lowing TGF-β1 (P>0.05) and better effect in up-regulating IFN-γ(P>0.05). Conclusion:The study concludes moxibustion protected pulmonary fibrosis by downregulating TGF-β1 and upregulating IFN-γ cytokines at both mRNA and protein levels, and the effect was comparable to prednisone. Moxibustion could be used as a therapeutic alternative treatment for pulmonary fibrosis.

Allicin Promotes Glucose Uptake by Activating AMPK through CSE/H2S‐Induced S‐Sulfhydration in a Muscle‐Fiber Dependent Way in Broiler Chickens

“…[ 52 ] Allicin plays a role in the establishment of energy homeostasis, such as maintaining glucose homeostasis, ameliorating hepatic steatosis, and preventing obesity and metabolic disorders. [ 3,4 ] In rats, allicin reduced blood glucose levels in a dose‐dependent manner at doses ranging from 4 to 16 mg kg −1 . [ 45 ] However, the fasting blood glucose levels were not changed by dietary allicin supplementation.…”

“…[ 1,2 ] Recent studies show that allicin improves insulin resistance, maintains glucose homeostasis, and ameliorates lipid metabolism disorders in obese mice. [ 3,4 ] Allicin may alleviate diabetes by inhibiting the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and reducing receptor levels of AGEs to relieve oxidative stress and promote insulin secretion. [ 5 ] Importantly, allicin is readily degraded to organic diallyl polysulfides, which are potent hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) donors in the presence of thiols including glutathione (GSH).…”

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

“…Current smoking was further associated with lower pulmonary function. However, it was recorded that moxibustion had a positive effect on pulmonary fibrosis with the produce of moxa smoke [29].…”

Yinzhihuang Oral Liquid Ameliorates Hyperbilirubinemia Induced by δ‐Aminolevulinic Acid and Novobiocin in Neonatal Rats

“…To date, most hyperbilirubinemia or jaundice models are established using adult mice or rats [12–14] . The Gunn rat lacking UGT1A1 can be used to model neonatal hyperbilirubinemia by injection of sulfadimethoxine (Sulfa) or phenylhydrazine (PHZ) [15] .…”