Acupuncture at Back-Shu point improves insomnia by reducing inflammation and inhibiting the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Research background

The characteristics of insomnia are dissatisfaction with sleep, including difficulty beginning or maintaining sleep, waking up with/or early morning, accompanied by related daytime damage, such as fatigue and emotional disorders. Western medicine mainly uses sedatives and hypnotic drugs to treat insomnia, and long-term use is prone to drug resistance and other adverse reactions. Acupuncture has a good curative effect and unique advantages in the treatment of insomnia.

Research motivation

To explore the molecular mechanism of acupuncture at Back-Shu point for insomnia.

Research objectives

To provides a new insight into the treatment of insomnia by acupuncture at Back-Shu point from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine.

Research methods

We first prepared a rat model of insomnia, and then carried out acupuncture for 7 consecutive days to explored the effect of acupuncture. The Morris water maze test was used to assess behavioral change. The detailed mechanism research was detected by RT-qPCR, ELISA, and Western blot.

Research results

Some Western drugs can improve insomnia symptoms, but their high drug dependence and adverse reactions limit their clinical application. Our study provides new insights into the treatment of insomnia symptoms from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine. Our study fills a gap in the treatment of insomnia with acupuncture at Back-Shu point and provides a new treatment for insomnia.

Research conclusions

This study suggest that acupuncture at the Back-Shu point can improve the insomnia by inhibiting the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway and increasing the release of inflammatory cytokines in the hippo-campus. Acupuncture at the Back-Shu point has promoted the treatment of insomnia and benefited the public's sleep health.

Research perspectives

This paper provides new ideas for the treatment of insomnia from the perspective of acupuncture.