Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of herbal-partitioned moxibustion at Tianshu (ST 25) and Qihai (CV 6) on pain-related behavior and emotion in rats with chronic inflammatory visceral pain

隔药灸天枢和气海对慢性炎性内脏痛大鼠痛行为和痛情绪的影响

  • Basic Study
  • Published:
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To observe the effect of herbal-partitioned moxibustion (HPM) on pain-related behavior and emotion in a rat model of chronic inflammatory visceral pain, and to investigate the mechanism.

Methods

Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: a normal group, a model group and an HPM group. Except for the normal group, rats in the other two groups were clystered with mixed liquor of Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid (TNBS) and 50% ethanol to induce the chronic inflammatory visceral pain model. After the models were established successfully, rats in the HPM group were treated with HPM at bilateral Tianshu (ST 25) and Qihai (CV 6). Rats in the normal group and the model group were only fixed as those in the HPM group without treatment. Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) score, mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were adopted to detect the visceral and somatic pain; meanwhile, open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze test (EPMT) were employed to evaluate pain emotions such as depression and anxiety.

Results

Compared with the normal group, AWR scores of the model group were significantly increased under different stimulus expansion pressure level (P<0.01), MWT and TWL were significantly decreased (P<0.05); in OFT, the values of horizontal activities and vertical activities were significantly decreased (P<0.01); in EPMT, the proportion of the number of entry into the open arms (OE%) and that of residence time in the open arms (OT%) significantly decreased (P<0.01), indicating that the model was successful. Compared with the model group, the AWR score of the HPM group was decreased significantly (P<0.05), MWT and TWL were significantly increased (P<0.05), the values of horizontal activities and vertical activities in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01); in OFT and EPMT, OE% and OT% were significantly increased (P<0.01).

Conclusion

HPM has analgesic effect on chronic inflammatory visceral pain. It can reduce the visceral and somatic pain in rats and markedly improve the emotions such as anxiety and depression induced by chronic visceral pain.

摘要

目的

观察隔药灸对慢性炎性内脏痛大鼠痛行为和痛情绪的影响, 探讨其镇痛机理。

方法

将24只SD大鼠随机分为正常组、 模型组和隔药灸组。 除正常组外, 其余两组采用三硝基苯磺酸灌肠制备慢性炎性内脏痛大鼠模型。 造模成功后, 隔药灸组采用隔药灸天枢、 气海治疗, 模型组及正常组不治疗, 只做与隔药灸组相同的固定。 通过腹壁撤回反射(AWR)评分、 机械性缩足反射阈值(MWT)和热缩足潜伏期(TWL)评估大鼠内脏和躯体痛觉; 通过旷场实验(OFT)和高架十字迷宫测试(EPMT)评估大鼠焦虑、 抑郁等疼痛情绪。

结果

与正常组比较, 模型组大鼠AWR评分在不同刺激扩张压力水平下均显著升高(P<0.01), MWT及TWL均显著降低(P<0.05), OFT中水平活动值和垂直活动值均明显下降(P<0.01), EPMT中开臂进入次数比例及开臂停留时间比例均明显下降(P<0.01), 提示造模成功。 与模型组比较, 隔药灸组大鼠AWR评分显著下降(P<0.05), MWT及TWL显著增加(P<0.05), OFT中水平活动值和垂直活动值均明显升高(P<0.01), EPMT中进入开放臂次数比例及进入开放臂时间比例均明显升高(P<0.01)。

结论

隔药灸对慢性炎性内脏痛大鼠有良好的镇痛作用, 能显著减轻大鼠内脏和躯体疼痛, 同时也能明显改善慢性内脏痛所致的焦虑、 抑郁等痛情绪的变化。

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zhang YQ. Neural mechanism of pain affection and relative memory development. Ziran Kexue Jinzhan, 2005, 15(12): 1409–1415.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Sun J, Wen J, Wei HF, Zhong DK, Zeng PJ, Li Y, Yang L, Zhang LF. Experimental observation on psychological and behavioral changes by electroacupuncture at different acupoints in model rats of chronic inflammatory pain. Xiandai Shengwu Yixue Jinzhan, 2011, 11(20): 3820–3825.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Morris GP, Beck PL, Herridge MS, Depew WT, Szewczuk MR, Wallace JL. Hapten-induced model of chronic inflammation and ulceration in the rat colon. Gastroenterology, 1989, 96(3): 795–803.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Chen X, Yang SZ, Chi BR. Reproduction of rat inflammatory bowel disease model and intervention effect of Changkangyin on it. Jilin Daxue Xuebao: Yixue Ban, 2008, 34(2): 262–265.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Guo Y. Experimental Acupuncture Science. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008: 415.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Li CR, Hua XB, Zhou HL, Song DL, Hu YL. Development of acupuncture points diagram of guinea pigs. Shanghai Zhenjiu Zazhi, 1992, 11(2): 28–30.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Wang HJ, Ji LX. Discussion of localization of rat Shenque (CV 8) point. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu, 2007, 32(5): 312.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Al-Chaer ED, Kawasaki M, Pasricha PJ. A new model of chronic visceral hypersensitivity in adult rats induced by colon irritation during postnatal development. Gastroenterology, 2000, 119(5): 1276–1285.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Chaplan SR, Bach FW, Pogrel JW, Chung JM, Yaksh TL. Quantitative assessment of tactile allodynia in the rat paw. J Neurosci Methods, 1994, 53(1): 55–63.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Hargreaves K, Dubner R, Brown F, Flores C, Joris J. A new and sensitive method for measuring thermal nociception in cutaneous hyperalgesia. Pain, 1988, 32(1): 77–88.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Shin J, Gireesh G, Kim SW, Kim DS, Lee S, Kim YS, Watanabe M, Shin HS. Phospholipase C beta 4 in the medial septum controls cholinergic theta oscillations and anxiety behaviors. J Neurosci, 2009, 29(49): 15375–15385.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Yang S. Study on the mechanism of acupuncture on visceral hypersensitivity and affection regulation in a rat model of IBS. Master thesis of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Lister RG. The use of a plus-maze to measure anxiety in the mouse. Psychopharmacology (Berl), 1987, 92(2): 180–185.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Zhang J, Zhang Z. Cuckoo-bud moxibution treatment in 56 cases of stomachache. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu, 2006, 26(10):744.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Zhang BM, Wu HG. Application progress of moxibution on painful diseases of soft tissues. Shanghai Zhenjiu Zazhi, 2005, 24(2): 43–46.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Zhou EH, Liu HR, Wu HG, Shi Y, Wang XM, Tan LY, Yao LQ, Zhong YS, Jiang Y, Zhang LL. Suspended moxibustion relieves chronic visceral hyperalgesia via serotonin pathway in the colon. Neurosci Lett, 2009, 451(2): 144–147.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Zhang W. Study on correlation between time, sensation and efficacy of moxibustion Guanyuan (CV 4) in primary dysmenorrhea. Shizhen Guoyi Guoyao, 2014, 25(5): 1148–1150.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Liu HR, Hua XG, Yang Y, Wu HG. Clinical research on 5-HT expression in colon mucosa of diarrhea predominant patients and acupuncture treatment. Liaoning Zhongyi Zazhi, 2006, 33(8): 953–954.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Wu HG, Shi Z, Zhu Y, Ma XP, Yao Y, Cui YH, Zhao TP, Liu HR. Clinical research of herb-partitioned moxibustion treatment on ulcerative colitis. Shanghai Zhenjiu Zazhi, 2007, 26(4): 3–4.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Shi Y, Wu HG. Clinical research of herb-partitioned moxibustion treatment on Crohn’s disease. Jiangxi Zhongyiyao, 2003, 34(8): 16–17.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Qi L, Li N, Liu HR, Ma XP, Wu LY, Wang XM, Zhou CL, Wu HG. Clinical and experimental studies on moxibustion for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. CJTCMP, 2010, 25(12): 2224–2227.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Liu HR, Qi L, Wu LY. Effects of moxibustion on dynorphin and endomorphin in rats with chronic visceral hyperalgesia. World J Gastroenterol, 2010, 16(32): 4079–4083

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Zhou QQ, Price DD, Caudle RM, Verne GN. Visceral and somatic hypersensitivity in TNBS-induced colitis in rats. Dig Dis Sci, 2008, 53(2): 429–435.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Tian XL, Wang YF, Chen SL, Mo JZ, Chen WH, Cao ZJ. Intestinal inflammation induces visceral and somatic hypersensitivity. Gastroenterology, 2012, 17(7): 399–403.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Zhang YQ, Zhao ZQ, Ji RR. Emotional distress and related memory of pain: a neurobiological review. Neurosci Bull, 2005, 21(1): 10–17.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Wang X, Xie M. Comment on the dose-effect relationship of Suanzaoren decoction on behavior of EPM rat. Zhongguo Shiyan Fangjixue Zazhi, 2004, 10(1): 35–37.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Li LP, Hua JS, Sun ZR, Sun DW, Huang L. Influence of moxibustion at Baihui (GV 20) and Taichong (LR 3) on cytokines in a rat model of chronic stress induced depression. Zhongyiyao Xuekan, 2006, 24(9): 1757–1760.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Li LP, Bi Y. Effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the chronic mild unpredictable stressors depression rats. Zhonghua Zhongyiyao Xuekan, 2008, 26(10): 2287–2290.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Zhou M, Wang XY, Li WM. Progress on basic study of acupuncture for visceral pain. Shanghai Zhenjiu Zazhi, 2007, 26(10): 45–48.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Ma XP, Hong J, An CP, Zhang D, Huang Y, Wu HG, Zhang CH, Meeuwsen S. Acupuncture-moxibustion in treating irritable bowel syndrome: How does it work? World J Gastroenterol, 2014, 20(20): 6044–6054.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Takahashi T. Effect and mechanism of acupuncture on gastrointestinal diseases. Int Rev Neurobiol, 2013, 111: 273–294.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Bao CH, Wu LY, Wu HG, Xu B, Lu Y, Liu HR, Yu SG, Zhao TP, Zhao JM, Zhao BX, Hu L, Chang XR. Study on effect and mechanism of moxibustion inhibit visceral pain of intestinal disease. Zhonghua Zhongyiyao Zazhi, 2014, 29(2): 419–422.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Huang RJ, Zhao JM, Wu LY, Dou CZ, Liu HR, Weng ZJ, Lu Y, Shi Y, Wang XM, Zhou CL, Wu HG. Mechanisms underlying the analgesic effect of moxibustion on visceral pain in irritable bowel syndrome: a review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2014: ID895914.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Wu HG, Ma XP, Zhou CL, Bao CH, Dou CZ. Current research status and developing strategy of moxibustion. Shijie Zhongyiyao, 2013, 88): 845–851.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China

    Yan Huang  (黄燕), Yan-ting Yang  (杨延婷) & Yan Zhao  (赵嬿)

  2. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China

    Xiao-xu Liu  (刘晓旭)

  3. Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai, 200030, China

    Xiao-ming Feng  (丰晓溟), Dan Zhang  (张丹), Huan-gan Wu  (吴焕淦), Yi Zhu  (朱毅), Wen-yan Huang  (黄文燕) & Xiao-peng Ma  (马晓芃)

Authors
  1. Yan Huang  (黄燕)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yan-ting Yang  (杨延婷)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xiao-xu Liu  (刘晓旭)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yan Zhao  (赵嬿)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Xiao-ming Feng  (丰晓溟)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Dan Zhang  (张丹)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Huan-gan Wu  (吴焕淦)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Yi Zhu  (朱毅)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Wen-yan Huang  (黄文燕)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Xiao-peng Ma  (马晓芃)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiao-peng Ma  (马晓芃).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Huang, Y., Yang, Yt., Liu, Xx. et al. Effect of herbal-partitioned moxibustion at Tianshu (ST 25) and Qihai (CV 6) on pain-related behavior and emotion in rats with chronic inflammatory visceral pain. J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. 13, 1–8 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11726-015-0814-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11726-015-0814-1

Keywords

关键词

中图分类号

Search

Navigation