Review of Stimulating Technologies of Acupuncture Points in Patients

(3) Korean Journal of Acupuncture, Vol.28, No.4, pp.29∼40, 2011

Review of Stimulating Technologies of Acupuncture Points in Patients

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

Abstract

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.

Methods: We investigated the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, the SOD (superoxide dismutase) scavenging activity, and the ABTS (2.2-azino-bis-3-erthylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) & DPPH (2,2-dipheny1-1-picryl-hydrazyl) radical’s scavenging ability of MGT.

Results: The total polyphenol content of MGT was 7.8 ± 0.09 mg/g in 10 mg/ml, the SOD activity was 42.51 ± 3.39% in 200 µg/ml, the DPPH radical scavenging effect of MGT was 83.24 ± 0.01% in 200 µg/ml and the ABTS radical scavenging effect was 41.88 ± 0.16% in 200 µg/ml.

Conclusions: In this study, the effects of moxi with ginger could be induced by not only heating stimuli on acupoints but also chemical stimuli produced during combustion of moxibustion. An advanced study of the biological mechanism of moxibustion with MGT based on the meridian and considering skin aging and inflammation will be required.

Key Words: moxi with ginger slice; MGT; antioxidant effects