The Protective Effect of Pre-Moxibustion on Reproductive Hormones Profile of Rats with <b><i>Tripterygium</i></b> Glycosides-Induced Ovarian Damage

Abstract

Background: Acupuncture and moxibustion have been proven to be conducive to improving the ovarian reserve. However, the mechanism of pre-moxibustion on Tripterygium glycosides (TG)-induced ovarian damage has not been previously reported. Method: Female rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control, model (75 mg/kg TG, 14 days), preventive moxibustion 1 (PM1, receiving moxibustion for 4 weeks before TG administration), preventive moxibustion 2 (PM2, receiving moxibustion for 2 weeks before TG administration and another 2 weeks during TG administration), and preventive moxibustion 3 (PM3, receiving 4 weeks of moxibustion during TG administration). The estrous cycle of the animal was recorded after TG administration. Rats were sacrificed 14 days after TG administration. The reproductive hormones profiles in serum, ovary, and hypothalamic tissues were analyzed. Result: Pre-moxibustion could revert abnormal estrous cycles, relieve follicle damage, and improve abnormal secretion of reproductive hormones resulting from ovarian damage. However, both PM2 and PM3 were more effective than PM1. In addition, PM2 disclosed more advantages in regulating reproductive hormones abnormalities, while PM3 performed better in follicular development. Conclusion: In combination, the findings of this study suggest that pre-moxibustion is effective in protecting the ovary from damage in TG-induced ovarian damage rats. But different time points correspond to different modulation targets and mechanisms.

Moxibustion improves ovarian function based on the regulation of the androgen balance

“…It uses Folium Artemisiae argyi to produce moxibustion materials, generating heat upon combustion to stimulate acupoints or specific body surface sites, thereby achieving disease prevention and treatment. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that moxibustion is able to improve ovarian function (8)(9)(10)(11)(12). It has been reported that the early use of moxibustion is able to generate a favorable stress response to resist or reduce the subsequent disease and delay the degradation of normal tissues (13).…”

Acupuncture-Related Therapies for Ovulatory Disorders: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis Protocol

“…ODs are an important cause of infertility [20], with a considerable impact on the psychological health of the women affected as well as on their familial relationships. The wide application of acupuncture and moxibustion in clinical practice leaded to a rapid expansion of the research on their effects in the treatment of ODs [21,22,23,24]. The therapeutic results of complementary and alternative medicine are promising.…”

The Application of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Infertility

“…EA improved PCOS-IR by down-regulating hypothalamic NFκB protein expression and significantly reduced abdominal circumference, body weight, serum fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and IR in rats [83]. Zhu et al [84] found that moxibustion could rescue the HPO axis of ovarian-injured rats, improve hypothalamic GnRH mRNA overexpression and abnormal secretion of reproductive hormones, and maintain normal ovarian function. Huang et al [85] found that EA could activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, inhibit autophagy-induced follicular atresia, and reduce serum T, LH, and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, thus improving ovulation.…”