ANALGESIA EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE AND MOXIBUSTION IN C57 MICE

Objective: To evaluate the antinociceptive effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on acute pain(formalin) and chronic pain(Freund’s complete adjuvant, FCA) in mice.Methods: In the formalin test, C57 mice(n=40) were randomlydivided into control group, model group, acupuncture group and moxibustion group.Saline solution was injected into the hindpaw in the control group, while 1% formalin was injected into the hind-paw of the same side of rats in the model group, the acupuncture group and the moxibustion group.After injection, we recorded the time licking feet in mice at the first phase(0-5 min) and the second phase(15-60 min).In the FCA model, mice(n=40) were randomly divided into control group, model group, acupuncture group and moxibustion group.Saline solution was injected into the hind-paw in the control group, while 10 μL FCA was injected into the hind-paw of the same side in the model group, the acupuncture group and the moxibustion group.Analgesia effect was measured by von Frey test.Results: Noticeable antinociceptive effects after acupuncture and moxibustion treatment were observed in the second phase(P<0.05) of th e formalin test.However, no significant difference between acupuncture and moxibution treatment was found(P>0.05).In the FCA model, remarkable antinociceptive effects after acupuncture and moxibustion treatment were observed in 15 to 90 min(P<0.05).Also, the pain threshold in the moxibustion group was higher than that in the acupuncture group at 15 min(P<0.05) and 30 min(P<0.01).Conclusion: Acupuncture and moxibustion have demonstrated efficacy on the inflammatory pain in the treatment of acute pain.Therapeutic effect of moxibustion is higher than that of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic pain.