Effects of Moxibustion and Moxa Smoke on Behavior Changes and Energy Metabolism in APP/PS1 Mice

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the antiaging effects of moxibustion and moxa smoke on APP/PS1 mice and to illustrate the mechanism of moxibustion improving Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods. 36 male APP/PS1 mice were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 12), including a model control group, a moxibustion group, and a moxa smoke group. In addition, 12 C57BL/6 normal mice served as a normal (negative) control group. Mice in the moxibustion group received moxibustion intervention using Guanyuan (RN4) acupoint. Mice in the moxa smoke group received moxa smoke exposure with the same frequency as the moxibustion group. Behavioral tests were implemented in the 9th week, 3 days after the completion of the intervention. Tricarboxylic acid cycle and fatty acid metabolomics assessments of the mice were determined after behavioral tests. Results. In this study, relative to normal mice, we found that AD mice showed altered tricarboxylic and fatty acid metabolism and showed behavioral changes consistent with the onset of AD. However, both the moxibustion and moxa smoke interventions were able to mitigate these effects to some degree in AD mice. Conclusions. The data suggest that tricarboxylic acid cycle and unsaturated fatty acid metabolomics changes may be a target of AD, and the beneficial effects of moxibustion on cognitive behaviors may be mediated by the energy metabolism system.

Efficacy of Moxibustion Smoke for Stage 1 Post-Stroke Shoulder-Hand Syndrome: Protocol for a Multi-Center, Single-Blind Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial

“…One study with APP/PS1 double transgenic mice expressing a chimeric mouse/human amyloid precursor protein that had induced symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) showed that, at a concentration of 10–15 mg/m 3 , MS appeared to improve the cognitive and behavioral function of the afflicted mice through modulating the tricarboxylic acid cycle and fatty acid metabolism. 22 Another murine study that evaluated different levels of MSC also showed positive effects of MS on monoamine neurotransmitters function at a low MSC of 5–15 mg/m 3 , a medium MSC of 25–35 mg/m 3 , and a high MSC of 85–95 mg/m 3 . 25 A study that was conducted to determine the toxic threshold of MS found that medium (168.76 mg/m 3 ) and high (384.67 mg/m 3 ) levels of MSC adversely affected murine pulmonary function as measured via spirometry, which remained unaffected at low levels of MSC (27.45 mg/m 3 ), a concentration level that is already 775% higher than the average MSC of 3.54mg/m 3 that has been recorded during typical moxibustion treatments for human patients.…”

“…At the present time, most studies evaluating MS involve basic science examinations of its chemical components, or experiments with animals, and few clinical trials with human participants have been published. 22–28 Some components of MS, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), are toxic to human beings. 29 While several animal experiments have demonstrated both clinical efficacy and the safety of MS when utilized at carefully prescribed dosages, few clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of various MS concentrations (MSCs) when applied to human participants.…”

“… 29 While several animal experiments have demonstrated both clinical efficacy and the safety of MS when utilized at carefully prescribed dosages, few clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of various MS concentrations (MSCs) when applied to human participants. 22 , 30 Nevertheless, the titration of MSC could be pivotal for establishing the therapeutic and safety windows of moxibustion. One important caveat is that the various grades and ages of moxa floss could greatly impact its thermal behavior and smoke composition.…”

Efficacy and Safety of a Novel Plum Blossom Needling with Mild Moxibustion Device for Upper Limb Pain Disorder and Motor Dysfunction in Patients with Stage 1 Post-Stroke Shoulder-Hand Syndrome: Study Protocol for a Multi-Center, Single-Blind, Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial

“…However, all results surprisingly demonstrated clinical efficacy and safety of MS under the carefully designed concentration, totally out of expectations. [58][59][60][61][62][63] Therefore, our hypothesis is that the efficacy and safety of MS possibly should be affected by the level of MSC, moxa quality and duration of exposure in MS. Firstly, moxa aged more than three years is considered as quality guarantee for its characteristics, and the moxibustion duration usually lasts for 20-30 min for each session. 64 Hence, moxa that has been aged for three years will be utilized in 30-minute treatment sessions in this trial.…”

Study on the Multitarget Mechanism and Active Compounds of Essential Oil from Artemisia argyi Treating Pressure Injuries Based on Network Pharmacology

“…Artemisia argyi is usually the main raw material [ 17 ]. Although the mechanism of moxibustion is uncertain, the thermal effect and moxa smoke may play a synergistic role in the treatment of diseases [ 18 , 19 ]. The fumigation and heating effects produced by moxibustion have played a certain role in promoting the wound healing of PIs, and the pharmacological effects of moxa smoke need to be paid special attention.…”