Therapeutic Duration and Extent Affect the Effect of Moxibustion on Depression-Like Behaviour in Rats via Regulating the Brain Tryptophan Transport and Metabolism. (27th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Hao; Sang, Lan; Xia, Xing; Zhao, Ruirui; Wang, Mingyue; Hou, Xiaofei; Xiong, Jiawei; Cao, Tiemin; Liu, Xiaoquan; Zhang, Jianbin
• Other Names: Santafe Manel Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine. Volume 2019(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-08-27
• Subjects: Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.505
• DOI: 10.1155/2019/7592124
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-427X

Abstract

Abstract : Moxibustion has been widely accepted as an alternative therapy for major depressive disease (MDD). However, the efficacy of moxibustion treatment on MDD is highly variable because of its irregular operation. This study was designed to investigate how therapeutic duration and extent influence the anti-depression effect of moxibustion and the underlying mechanism involved. Rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced depression-like behavior were treated by moxibustion treatment. The anti-depression effect was determined by forced swimming test and open field test. Tryptophan (Trp) transport and its metabolism to serotonin (5-HT) and kynurenine (Kyn) were evaluated to explore the anti-depression mechanism. The results showed that moxibustion treatment could alleviate the depression-like behavior in rats. Trp transport and 5-HT generation were significantly increased, and the Trp-Kyn pathway was moderately inhibited by moxibustion. Prolonged therapy could be beneficial to the anti-depression effect by promoting the brain uptake of Trp and shifting the Trp metabolism to 5-HT. An enhanced therapeutic extent could increase 5-HT generation. In conclusion, this study determined that the anti-depression effect of moxibustion involves improved Trp transport and metabolism. The therapeutic duration benefits antidepressant effects, but the complex influence of the therapeutic extent on moxibustion efficacy requires further studies.