Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies

Alternative Medicine in Periodontal Therapy—A Review

Brijesh Mangal, Ayushi Sugandhi, Kanteshwari I. Kumathalli, Raja Sridhar — 2012-03-22

Abstract: Periodontal diseases continue to be most commonly occurring oral diseases in modern times. Many therapeutic modalities have been tried and tested to relieve these problems. The conventional therapy—scaling and root planing (SRP)—stands out to be the most used mode of treatment, and other treatments remain applicable as adjuncts to SRP, including acupuncture, acupressure, and aromatherapy. The present article discusses the applications of the abovementioned therapeutic modes and their relevance in current scenarios. Alternative medicine may be preferred as an adjunct to conventional periodontal therapy to relieve pain, bad breath, gingival inflammation, mouth ulcers, and mouth sores.

Effects of Trigger Point Acupuncture Treatment on Temporomandibular Disorders: A Preliminary Randomized Clinical Trial

Kazunori Itoh, Sayo Asai, Hideaki Ohyabu, Kenji Imai, Hiroshi Kitakoji — 2012-02-28

Abstract: We compared the effects of trigger point acupuncture with that of sham acupuncture treatments on pain and oral function in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). This 10-week study included 16 volunteers from an acupuncture school with complaints of chronic temporomandibular joint myofascial pain for at least 6 months. The participants were randomized to one of two groups, each receiving five acupuncture treatment sessions. The trigger point acupuncture group received treatment at trigger points for the same muscle, while the other acupuncture group received sham treatment on the trigger points. Outcome measures were pain intensity (visual analogue scale) and oral function (maximal mouth opening). After treatment, pain intensity was less in the trigger point acupuncture group than in the sham treatment group, but oral function remained unchanged in both groups. Pain intensity decreased significantly between pretreatment and 5 weeks after trigger point (p<0.001) and sham acupunctures (p<0.050). Group comparison using the area under the curve demonstrated a significant difference between groups (p=0.0152). Compared with sham acupuncture therapy, trigger point acupuncture therapy may be more effective for chronic temporomandibular joint myofascial pain.

Effectiveness of Electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) on the Immunohistochemical Density of Enteroendocrine Cells Related to Gastrointestinal Function

Chang Hyun Lee, Dae-Keun Kim, Tae-Han Yook, Motoki Sasaki, Nobuo Kitamura — 2012-03-19

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of electroacupuncture at Zusanli on the immunohistochemical density of enteroendocrine cells related to gastrointestinal function. The authors investigated the histochemical changes of mucous substances and immunohistochemical density of gastrin, serotonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), insulin, and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) secreting cells in rats. Staining density of mucous substances and the enteroendocrine cells of the gastrointestinal tract was observed with histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. Stainless steel needles with a diameter of 0.25mm were inserted into Zusanli (St36, 5mm below the head of the fibula under the knee joint, and 2mm lateral to the anterior tubercle of the tibia) and connected to an electrical stimulator. The electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation was delivered for 30 minutes at 10mA, 2Hz in EA stimulation (2EA group) or 4Hz in EA stimulation (4EA group) in each experimental group. In 4EA stimulation at the Zusanli, staining density of Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff on mucous substances of the stomach body was stronger than those of the 2EA and control groups. Periodic acidi-Schiff staining density of pyloric mucosa in the 4EA group was stronger than that of the 2EA and control groups. The immunohistochemical staining density of gastrin, serotonin, and CGRP-secreting cells of pylorus in the 2EA and 4EA groups was stronger than that of the control group. Immunohistochemical staining density of insulin and PP secreting cells of islets of the pancreas in the 2EA and 4EA groups was stronger than that of the control group. These results suggest that EA stimulus at St36 has the potential to influence gastric mucous substances and enteroendocrine cells (gastrin, serotonin, CGRP, insulin, and PP) that subsequently modulate digestive functions.

The Effect of Herb-Partition Moxibustion on Toll-like Receptor 4 in Rabbit Aorta during Atherosclerosis

2012-03-19

Abstract: Objective: To explore the mechanism of Toll-like receptor (TLR4) inhibition in the delay of formation of atherosclerosis by herb-partition moxibustion.Method: Seventy-five rabbits were randomly assigned to one of five groups: blank, atherosclerosis (AS) model, direct moxibustion, herb-partition moxibustion, and drug treatment. With the exception of the blank group, all rabbits were given a high-fat diet in addition to immunologic injury to create the AS model. The experiments were carried out for 16 weeks, at which time the aorta was removed from each rabbit. Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the gray level of the aortic TLR4 to observe the immunologic competence of its antigens. Fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of TLR4 messenger RNA (mRNA) in the aorta.Results: The gray-scale value of TLR4 and the TLR4 mRNA expression significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the direct moxibustion, herb-partition moxibustion, and drug treatment groups. Furthermore, the effects of the herb-partition moxibustion and drug treatment were superior to those of the direct moxibustion.Conclusion: Herb-partition moxibustion inhibits aortic TLR4 activity and mRNA expression, showing that herb-partition moxibustion delays the formation of atherosclerosis through the inhibition of TLR4 expression.

Antiulcer Potential of the Ethanolic Extract of Aerva Persica Merrill Root in Rats

Neeru Vasudeva, Payal Sethi, Surendra Kr. Sharma, Suresh Kumar, Sunil Sharma — 2012-03-19

Abstract: The ethanol extract of the roots of Aerva persica (Burm f) Merrill (Amaranthaceae) was investigated to determine its antiulcer and in vivo antioxidant activities in albino Wistar rats. Ulcers were induced by ethanol and pylorus ligation. The extract was administered at the dose of 200mg/kg orally, p.o. for 15 consecutive days. The ulcer index of the ethanol extract was found to be significantly reduced compared with control animals. The effect was also assessed by determining the free acidity, pepsin activity, total carbohydrate (TC), and protein content (PK) in control, standard, and test group animals. The in vivo antioxidant activity was evaluated by determining the reduced glutathione level (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the tissue homogenates. The results reveal the significant reduction in the level of malondialdehyde and the increase in the level of reduced glutathione in the rats that received the ethanolic extract. Furthermore, histopathological studies have shown that pretreatment with the ethanolic extract of the roots of A persica reduces (100%) ethanol- and pylorus ligation-induced hemorrhagic necrosis in rats.

Validation of Eupatorium triplinerve Vahl Leaves, a Skin Care Herb from East Kalimantan, Using a Melanin Biosynthesis Assay

2012-03-16

Abstract: In searching for a new material made from natural resources that could be used as a whitening agent, we focused on the plants used for skin treatment by the native people of East Kalimantan. The methanol extract of the leaves of Eupatorium triplinerve Vahl showed antimelanogenesis activity in a melanin biosynthesis assay. By activity-guided fractionation, 7-methoxycoumarin (1) was isolated as an active compound. The IC50 of 1 on mushroom tyrosinase was 2360μM (L-tyrosine was used as the substrate) and above 2840μM (L-DOPA was used as the substrate), respectively. Regarding melanin formation inhibition in B16 melanoma cells, the IC50 of 1 was 1780μM with 83% cell viability at IC50. Based on these results, we validated that the leaf extract is in line with the traditional use of the Dayak tribe in East Kalimantan.

Moxibustion for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2012-04-01

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of massive clinical research and to make a basic analysis on the effectiveness and the safety of moxibustion treatment for knee osteoarthritis compared to usual care.

Historical Study of Burns Caused by Moxibustion Using Commercial Indirect Moxibustion

2012-04-01

Objectives: Burn is an important adverse effect of moxibustion treatment. This research gathered basic data based on histological observation of the burn tissue generated when various commercial indirect moxa (CIM) were used on the skin. These data could be used to evaluate the burn for surgery.

Review of Stimulating Technologies of Acupuncture Points in Patients

Sang-Rok Seo, Seung-Bum Yang, Jae-Hyo Kim, Seong-Hun Ahn, In-Chul Sohn — 2012-04-01

Objectives: This study estimated the antioxidant effects of the moxi with ginger tar (MGT), i.e., the chemical combustion products produced by moxibustion with ginger during combustion.

Effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix Pharmacopuncture Intravenous Injection on Ischemia-induced Acute Renal Failure in Rabbits

2012-04-01

Objectives: The present study was undertaken to determine whether Glycyrrhizae Radix pharmacopuncture intravenous injection exerts a beneficial effect against ischemia-induced acute renal failure in rabbits.

Effects of Epimedii Herba on a Rat Model of Hypothyroidism Induced by PTU (6-propyl, 2-thiouracil)

Min-Jin Hong, Byung-Choel Lee, Young-Min Ahn, Se-Young Ahn — 2012-04-01

Objectives: The symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, cold intolerance, arthralgia, muscle cramps, dry skin, etc. Although hypothyroidism is a relatively common endocrinical disease, we do have many difficulties treating it effectively. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are similar to those of Yang deficiency in Oriental medicine. Epimedii Herba is a popular herb that has the effect of tonifying the kidney and strengthening Yang in Oriental medicine. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of Epimedii Herba on a rat model of hypothyroidism induced by PTU (6-propyl, 2-thiouracil).

Experimental Study of Antigenicity of Sweet Bee Venom in Guinea Pigs

Byung Jun Cho, Ki Rok Kwon — 2012-04-01

Objectives: This study was performed to examine the antigenic potential of pure melittin (Sweet Bee Venom - SBV) extracted from bee venom by utilizing the protein isolation method of gel filtration.