Effect of DU meridian long snake moxibustion on intestinal flora of people with yang deficiency

Abstract

Background

The changes of intestinal flora are closely related to the occurrence and development of many diseases. Long snake moxibustion has the functions of strengthening the body resistance, eliminating pathogenic factors and balancing yin and yang, and has been widely used in clinic. This study aimed to explore the effect of long snake moxibustion on intestinal flora in people with yang deficiency constitution.

Methods

The 60 subjects with yang deficiency constitution recruited in a tertiary A-level-integrated traditional Chinese medicine hospital were randomly divided into Du meridian group and non-Du meridian group between May 1, 2021, and July 31, 2021, which were treated once a week for 12 consecutive times. The scores of symptoms of yang deficiency were recorded before and after treatment, fresh stool samples were collected, and the distribution of intestinalflora was detected by 16 S rDNA sequencing technology.

Results

Compared with before treatment, the scores of symptoms of yang deficiency in both groups had a distinct decrease after treatment (P<0.05), and the effect of Du meridian group was better than that of non-Du meridian group. After treatment, the Du meridian group was superior to the non-Du meridian treatment group in the diversity of intestinal flora, the relative abundance of phylum and genus, and the dominant intestinal flora.

Conclusions

Long snake moxibustion on Du meridian can improve the diversity of intestinal flora, promote the balance between beneficial bacteria and harmful bacteria, enhance the integrity of intestinal epithelial barrier and regulate intestinal immunity, thus improving Yang deficiency constitution.