ZHANG Dan, REN Yanbo, WU Huangan, YANG Y anting, WU Lijie, ZHANG Ji, SHI Zheng, MA Xiaopeng

（1Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai 200030, China; 2 Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 201907; 3 Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 20120） 

Abstract:  Objective:  To  observe  the  effects  of  different-dose  herb-partitioned  moxibustion  (HPM)  on colon  damage  in  rats  with  ulcerative  colitis  (UC),  for  selecting  the  optimal  dosage  of  HPM  from  the histopathological view. Methods The Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into 7 groups, a normal group, a model group, a Western medication group, and HPM group 1-4, 9 rats per group. UC model was developed by antigen immune plus local chemical stimulation. In the four HPM groups, bilateral “Tianshu” (ST  25)  were  selected  to  receive  corresponding  dosage  of  HPM  treatment  varied  at  cone  number  and frequency. The general conditions of rats were observed. The pathological changes of colon tissues were examined by using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining, and high iron diamine-alcian blue (HID-AB) staining. Results Compared with the normal group, rats in the model group presented  loose  stool,  some  with  pus  and  blood,  and  slowly  increased  body  weight  (P<0.01);  gross examination showed that rat colon in the model group had obvious congestion, a couple of white ulcer spots in  severe  cases;  microscopic  examination  found  continuous  superficial  ulcers  in  colon,  with  irregular glandular cavities, swelling and serious inflammatory infiltration in lamina propria and submucosa, and the score of colon tissue damage increased significantly (P<0.01); PAS and HID-AB staining demonstrated that the production of colonic mucus decreased markedly (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, rats in  the  HPM  groups  presented  increased  body  weight,  formed  feces,  and  improved  colon  damages, manifested by healed mucosa and mitigated inflammation, and the damage score dropped significantly (P<0.05). PAS and HID-AB staining showed that the production of colonic mucins increased significantly in the HPM groups (P<0.01). The two-level two-factor factorial analysis indicated that both HPM cone number and frequency interacted with colon tissue score and the production of mucus, affecting the efficacy of moxibustion (P<0.05). Conclusion HPM at Tianshu (ST 25) promotes the repair of colonic damage and mucus production; from the histopathological view, the number of moxa cone and intervention frequency affect the efficacy of HPM, and HPM once every other day with 2 cones each time should be the optimal choice of dosage.

Key words: Acupuncture  and  moxibustion,  Herb-partitioned moxibustion,  Ulcerative colitis,  HE stains,PAS staining, HID-AB staining, Moxibustion dosage