Moxibustion Reduces Ovarian Granulosa Cell Apoptosis Associated with Perimenopause in a Natural Aging Rat Model

Abstract

In recent years, concerns about the adverse effects of hormone replacement therapy have increased interest in alternative therapies for the management of the symptoms of perimenopause. Here, we investigated the effects of moxibustion, a traditional Chinese practice that is involved in heated Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort) stimulation, on hormonal imbalance and ovarian granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis in a rat model of perimenopause. Our results showed that mild warm moxibustion (MWM) modulated the circulating levels of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone and their receptors and inhibited apoptosis in the ovaries of perimenopausal rats, similar to the effect of estrogen. Further investigation revealed that the effects of MWM on ovary tissues and cultured GCs were mediated by the modulation of the activity of Forkhead box protein O1 and involved the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Our results provide information on the factors and pathways modulated by MWM and shed light on the mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of moxibustion on the symptoms of perimenopause.

Effect of Moxibustion on Testosterone Secretion and Apoptosis of Spermatogenic Cells in Aging Rats

“…Moxibustion has also exhibited antiaging effects, protection of neuronal structure, and reduction in the rate of neural degeneration [9]. Previously, this team has studied the effects of moxibustion on ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis in aging rats, elucidating a mechanism for improving perimenopausal syndrome in female rats by [10]. To date, few studies have addressed whether moxibustion can improve testicular function and its underlying 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).…”

Moxibustion as adjuvant therapy for preventing bone loss in postmenopausal women: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

“…Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy have demonstrated to be potential treatments for a variety of sex hormone-related diseases, such as premature ovarian failure and perimenopausal syndrome, [39][40][41][42] as they can improve levels of oestrogen (estradiol, progesterone and prolactin) 40 Moxibustion has been shown to regulate circulating levels of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone in the ovaries of perimenopausal rats as well as to inhibit ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis through the Forkhead box Protein O1 and JAK2/STAT3 pathway, similar to exogenous oestrogen supplementation. 41 Moxibustion also improves the antioxidant stress-related genes HO-1 and NQO-1 and their protein levels, and enhances antioxidant capacity. 43 44 In addition, moxibustion has anti-inflammatory potential, resulting in local or systematical reduction of IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-α levels, 45 46 for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, lumbar disc herniation, periarthritis of shoulder and fatigue.…”