Acupuncture for Digestive Health & Bowel Diseases.
There are many types, patterns and causes of gastrointestinal symptoms. Common symptoms include stomach ulcers and acid reflux, bloating, hernias, diarrhoea and constipation as well as food intolerances.
Abdominal pain is one of the most frequent reasons for visiting a doctor or emergency department. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes abdominal pain, bloating and alternating constipation and diarrhoea. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are inflammatory bowel diseases which cause symptoms such as diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Regular colonoscopy screening from the age of 50 years is the best way to detect and prevent bowel cancer.
What does the research say?
The following insights are obtained from systematic reviews and analysis of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of Chinese medicine and acupuncture for digestive health & bowel diseases.
2022 Medicine
Acupuncture covering the depth ranges for BL18, BL20, and BL22 and their targeting of various tissues potentially alleviates sympathetic nerve issues and ischemia with assistance of the diaphragm.
Review analyzed 115 articles on needling depth and angle for back-shu acupuncture points in GI diseases. Key findings include the depth range for BL18, BL20, and BL22 points, their targeting of muscles, nerves, and diaphragmatic tissues, and the potential for acupuncture to alleviate sympathetic nerve overexcitability and ischemia while emphasizing the diaphragm's role in digestive function.
Anatomical structures and needling method of the back-shu points BL18, BL20, and BL22 related to gastrointestinal organs: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review of acupoints and exploratory mechanism analysis Cho Y, Han Y, Kim Y, Han S, Oh K, Chae H, Hongmin C, Ryu M
2022 The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
Dark chocolate exerts prebiotic effects and may improve negative emotional states via the gut-brain axis.
To assess the association between the mood-altering effects of dark chocolate and the gut microbiota, we performed fecal 16S rRNA sequencing analysis for the DC85 and CON groups. Gut microbial diversity was significantly higher in DC85 than CON (P<.05). Blautia obeum levels were significantly elevated and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii levels were reduced in DC85 compared to CON (P<.05). Furthermore, we found that the observed changes in negative affect scores were negatively correlated with diversity and relative abundance of Blautia obeum (P<.05).
Consumption of 85% cocoa dark chocolate improves mood in association with gut microbial changes in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial Shin JH, Kim CS, Cha L, Kim S, Lee S, Chae S, Chun WY, Shin DM
2022 The American Journal of Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture shows promising results in managing autoimmune diseases by potentially regulating immune responses.
The methodology of the study involved a comprehensive review of how acupuncture, a form of traditional Chinese medicine, may be employed as a treatment method for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. The research was based on existing knowledge and accumulating data, investigating the role of acupuncture in regulating immune responses during these conditions.
The discussion of the results revealed that acupuncture showed promise in managing these diseases. It was noted that the positive outcomes observed might be linked to the potential of acupuncture to regulate abnormal immune responses which are characteristic of autoimmune diseases. Despite the fact that the precise mechanism through which this achieved is not fully understood, the findings indicate a promising alternative method of managing autoimmune conditions.
Therapeutic Effect and Mechanism of Acupuncture in Autoimmune Diseases Jing Wang, Fangyi Zhu, Wei Huang, Zhengyi Chen, Ping Zhao, Yanting Lei, Yumei Liu, Xijun Liu, Bo Sun, Hulun Li
2022 Frontiers in Pharmacology
Xiao Yao San can improve symptoms and reduce recurrence rates in patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction.
The paper's methodology involved a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found in seven databases, up until November 22, 2021. The trials, which totaled 48 all together, were included to determine the efficacy of Xiao-Yao-San in treating disorders of gut-brain interaction (previously known as functional gastrointestinal disorders). A range of measures, including therapeutic efficacy, symptom score, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale score, Self-Rating Depression Scale score, and the recurrence rate, were analysed using both random-effects and fixed-effects models, as well as trial sequential analysis.
In terms of results, Xiao-Yao-San showed a marked improvement in the effective rate of managing disorders of gut-brain interaction compared to western drugs, both when used alone and in combination with western medicine. The paper also found the treatment notably reduced symptom scores, anxiety scores, and depression scores for patients with the disorder. Further, instances of recurrence were also reduced. Overall, Xiao-Yao-San was well tolerated and no serious adverse events were reported in any of the trials included in this analysis.
Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Herbal Medicine Xiao Yao San in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Liu Q, Shi Z, Zhang T, Jiang T, Luo X, Su X, Yang Y and Wei W
2022 Frontiers in Pharmacology
Xiao Yao San can improve symptoms and reduce recurrence rates in patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction.
The paper's methodology involved a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found in seven databases, up until November 22, 2021. The trials, which totaled 48 all together, were included to determine the efficacy of Xiao-Yao-San in treating disorders of gut-brain interaction (previously known as functional gastrointestinal disorders). A range of measures, including therapeutic efficacy, symptom score, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale score, Self-Rating Depression Scale score, and the recurrence rate, were analysed using both random-effects and fixed-effects models, as well as trial sequential analysis.
In terms of results, Xiao-Yao-San showed a marked improvement in the effective rate of managing disorders of gut-brain interaction compared to western drugs, both when used alone and in combination with western medicine. The paper also found the treatment notably reduced symptom scores, anxiety scores, and depression scores for patients with the disorder. Further, instances of recurrence were also reduced. Overall, Xiao-Yao-San was well tolerated and no serious adverse events were reported in any of the trials included in this analysis.
Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Herbal Medicine Xiao Yao San in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Liu Q, Shi Z, Zhang T, Jiang T, Luo X, Su X, Yang Y and Wei W
2022 Frontiers in Neuroscience
Chinese herbal medicine shows promising and safe outcomes in relieving functional dyspepsia symptoms and associated psychological disorders.
The methodology for this research involved a comprehensive search across various libraries and databases, such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and various Chinese data sources, seeking randomized controlled trials where functional dyspepsia was treated with Chinese herbal medicine. The aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of this type of treatment for functional dyspepsia. Two researchers independently conducted each stage of the process, from searching the sources, screening the documents, extracting data, and assessing risk biases within the included studies. They used RevMan 5.4 software to do a meta-analysis of the selected research materials.
The discussion of their findings showed that treatment with Chinese herbal medicine significantly alleviated the symptoms of functional dyspepsia, compared to both a placebo group and a group treated with traditional prokinetic agents and flupentixol melitracen. Patients treated with Chinese herbal medicine reported higher total effective rates and lower total symptom scores, along with smaller depression and anxiety scores. The symptoms of functional dyspepsia, in this case, were improved more successfully with Chinese herbal medicine than with other treatment types, without any significant adverse reactions.
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Functional Dyspepsia With Psychological Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Luo X, Wang L, Fang S, Qing X, Jiang T, Yang Y, Su X, Wei W
2022 Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine
Acupuncture combined with moxibustion showed the best outcomes in terms of efficacy and quality of life improvement for adults with irritable bowel syndrome complicated with diarrhea.
The study was conducted by searching major databases, including PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, and database from China, for randomized controlled trials. These trials explored the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on individuals suffering from irritable bowel syndrome complicated with diarrhea. The selected studies underwent a rigorous bias assessment and their data were analyzed using Stata 16.0 statistical software.
The analysis encompassed 21 studies overall, considering 1626 patients undergoing 8 different therapeutic measures. The study found that treatments such as acupuncture, warming needle moxibustion, and a combination of acupuncture with sandwiched or heat-sensitive moxibustion revealed significantly improved outcomes when compared to the drug pinaverium bromide. On the other hand, pinaverium bromide demonstrated the lowest efficacy and effect on quality of life. The most frequently used acupuncture points were GV20, GV29, ST 25, ST37, ST36, SP6, LR3, and CV12.
Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Treatment of Adult Diarrhea Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Network Meta-analysis Jiang X, Guo X, Zhou J, Ye S
2022 Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine
Acupuncture combined with moxibustion showed the best outcomes in terms of efficacy and quality of life improvement for adults with irritable bowel syndrome complicated with diarrhea.
The study was conducted by searching major databases, including PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, and database from China, for randomized controlled trials. These trials explored the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on individuals suffering from irritable bowel syndrome complicated with diarrhea. The selected studies underwent a rigorous bias assessment and their data were analyzed using Stata 16.0 statistical software.
The analysis encompassed 21 studies overall, considering 1626 patients undergoing 8 different therapeutic measures. The study found that treatments such as acupuncture, warming needle moxibustion, and a combination of acupuncture with sandwiched or heat-sensitive moxibustion revealed significantly improved outcomes when compared to the drug pinaverium bromide. On the other hand, pinaverium bromide demonstrated the lowest efficacy and effect on quality of life. The most frequently used acupuncture points were GV20, GV29, ST 25, ST37, ST36, SP6, LR3, and CV12.
Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Treatment of Adult Diarrhea Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Network Meta-analysis Jiang X, Guo X, Zhou J, Ye S
2022 Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science
The combination of Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) and Shen Ling Bai Zhu San is more effective in treating pediatric diarrhea due to spleen deficiency than Shen Ling Bai Zhu San alone.
Methodology: The paper reports on a clinical trial involving a total of 105 children diagnosed with diarrhea due to spleen deficiency. These children were randomly allocated into two separate groups: a control group and an observation group. The control group, consisting of 52 children, were exclusively treated with Shen Ling Bai Zhu San orally. The observation group, on the other hand, consisted of 53 children who received an additional Tuina treatment along with Shen Ling Bai Zhu San.
Results: After implementing the treatments, it was found that every child in the observation group showed improvement, compared to 90% improvement rate in the control group. This correlated to a decrease in scores of primary and secondary symptoms of traditional Chinese medicine in both groups post-treatment. Furthermore, the children in the observation group who received both treatments had even lower symptom scores than the control group who only received Shen Ling Bai Zhu San. The treatments were also well-tolerated with no significant adverse reactions reported.
Clinical study on Tuina plus Shen Ling Bai Zhu San in treating children with diarrhea due to spleen deficiency Li J
2022 Advances in Nutrition
Consuming kiwifruit, particularly the green variety, can effectively alleviate upper gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal discomfort, pain, and indigestion.
The research undertook a systematic scoping review of three electronic databases from 1947 until January 2021. The team searched for clinical trials that investigated the effects of either green or gold kiwifruit or their compounds on upper gastrointestinal symptoms. They focused on the studies that had the symptom relief as secondary outcomes in healthy participants or those with functional constipation or irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. The outcomes were analyzed based on the type of measurement tools used; one being the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and the others being non-GSRS methods.
The analysis unveiled that out of the identified 12 clinical trials, with a total of 661 participants, only five used the GSRS to assess symptom relief. Green kiwifruit showed notable results in reducing abdominal discomfort and pain. Kiwifruit consumption, in general, appeared to diminish indigestion. While the number of studies reporting on symptom relief using a comparable measurement was limited, the evidence for kiwifruit's positive efficacy on gastrointestinal symptom relief remained consistent.
Habitual Green Kiwifruit Consumption Is Associated with a Reduction in Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A Systematic Scoping Review Bayer SB, Frampton CM, Gearry RB, Barbara G
2022 Advances in Nutrition
Consuming kiwifruit, particularly the green variety, can effectively alleviate upper gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal discomfort, pain, and indigestion.
The research undertook a systematic scoping review of three electronic databases from 1947 until January 2021. The team searched for clinical trials that investigated the effects of either green or gold kiwifruit or their compounds on upper gastrointestinal symptoms. They focused on the studies that had the symptom relief as secondary outcomes in healthy participants or those with functional constipation or irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. The outcomes were analyzed based on the type of measurement tools used; one being the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and the others being non-GSRS methods.
The analysis unveiled that out of the identified 12 clinical trials, with a total of 661 participants, only five used the GSRS to assess symptom relief. Green kiwifruit showed notable results in reducing abdominal discomfort and pain. Kiwifruit consumption, in general, appeared to diminish indigestion. While the number of studies reporting on symptom relief using a comparable measurement was limited, the evidence for kiwifruit's positive efficacy on gastrointestinal symptom relief remained consistent.
Habitual Green Kiwifruit Consumption Is Associated with a Reduction in Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A Systematic Scoping Review Bayer SB, Frampton CM, Gearry RB, Barbara G
2022 Nutrients
Equol, a powerful estrogen-like compound derived from soy, could be key to better health in postmenopausal women if gut microbiome could be altered to facilitate its production.
The methodology of this research involved looking closely at the properties and actions of equol, a metabolite of the soy isoflavone daidzein. This substance is produced through the process of intestinal bacterial metabolism, but the ability to produce it is not present in over half of the human population due to the absence of specific equol-producing bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Given that the make up of the gut microbiome varies from person to person, understanding the effects of equol and daidzein in the human body has been a complex task. Furthermore, the fact that rodents easily produce equol complicates the matter, as findings from rodent models may not directly apply to humans.
While interpreting the results, it was found that equol, due to its strong estrogenic activity, could potentially be an excellent means to manage postmenopausal symptoms and overall health. However, the ability to produce equol varies significantly among people, based on the bacterial microflora of their gut. Therefore, the benefits of equol could potentially be amplified by finding effective methods to manipulate the gut microbiome to foster equol production, a strategy that could lead to improved health outcomes for postmenopausal women.
Maximizing the Estrogenic Potential of Soy Isoflavones through the Gut Microbiome: Implication for Cardiometabolic Health in Postmenopausal Women Leonard LM, Choi MS, Cross TWL
2022 Iranian Journal of Public Health
The application of curcumin and turmeric, due to their anti-inflammatory effects, can alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life in people with irritable bowel syndrome.
The research was conducted by conducting a systematic review of all available evidence regarding the therapeutic potential of curcumin and turmeric for relief from irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Database searches were undertaken across various reputable sources, namely Web of Science, Pub-Med, Scopus, Ovid, Embase, and Google Scholar. The terms used for this search included 'curcumin', 'turmeric', and 'IBS'. The timeline for these studies spanned from 1990 to February 2021. The focus was particularly placed on clinical trials, from which nine relevant articles were gathered for data analysis.
The results from the gathered literature showed that curcumin and turmeric, used alone or combined with other medications, could positively impact the severity of irritable bowel syndrome. This was particularly apparent with symptoms such as abdominal pain, leading to an overall improvement in life quality for people dealing with irritable bowel syndrome. This improvement is attributed to the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin and turmeric.
Turmeric for Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Population-Based Evidence Jafarzadeh E, Shoeibi S, Bahramvand Y, Nasrollahi E, Maghsoudi AS, Yazdi F, KarkonShayan S, Hassani S
2022 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Acupuncture can regulate both innate and adaptive immunity of IBD patients, including the balance of Th17/Treg and Th1/Th2 cells, and also modulate intestinal flora.
The methodology of the research revolved around a review of existing studies related to the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) via acupuncture. The broad scope of exploration focused on the effects of acupuncture on the immunomodulatory mechanism inherent in these patients. The review pursued a detailed study of how acupuncture directly influenced both the innate and adaptive immunity systems in IBD patients as well as its regulation on their intestinal flora.
The results discussion revealed that acupuncture had multiple immunomodulatory effects on IBD patients. On one hand, it influenced their innate immunity by regulating elements such as their intestinal epithelial barriers, toll-like receptors, NLRP3 inflammasomes, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. On the other hand, it affected their adaptive immunity by modulating the balance of Th17/Treg and Th1/Th2 cells. Furthermore, an interesting revelation from the study was that acupuncture could also significantly regulate the intestinal flora of the patients.
A Review on the Immunomodulatory Mechanism of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Liu Z, Jiao Y, Yu T, Wang H, Zhang Y, Liu D, Xu Y, Guan Q, Lu M
2022 Phytomedicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine Prescriptions (CHMPs) have demonstrated to be potentially effective in managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) with a comprehensive, holistic approach.
In their methodology, the authors reviewed both preclinical and clinical researches to evaluate the effectiveness of CHMPs in treating IBD. They performed screenings of articles that highlighted the use of CHMP as a treatment option for IBD, giving them an insight into the complexity of the disease and the sophistication of CHMP treatments. Subsequently, they conducted an umbrella review of multiple meta-analyses linked to CHMPs to comprehend the efficacy of these herbal prescriptions in a clinical setting; they narrowed down from 1174 records to 12 substantial references for the review.
In discussing their results, the authors analyzed a variety of 14 CHMPs that have a historical usage background and discussed their respective mechanisms of action. They delve into the inherent characteristics of the herbs used to provide a comprehensive understanding of the CHMPs. Recognizing the holistic nature being integral to CHMP, the authors discussed how the implementation of omics, studying the gut microbiome, and network pharmacology can enhance the understanding of CHMPs' bioactions in treating IBD.
Holism of Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions for inflammatory bowel disease: A review based on clinical evidence and experimental research Zhang S, Luo H, Tan D, Peng B, Zhong Z, Wang Y
2021 Frontiers in Public Health
Traditional Chinese medicine infant massage can reduce the symptoms of constipation in children suffering from functional constipation.
A review of 23 studies involving 2,005 patients found that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) infant massage was more effective than drug therapy alone for treating infant functional constipation. The massage showed significant improvements in overall effectiveness, frequency of bowel movements, and constipation symptoms. However, there was no significant difference between the massage and drug therapy when it came to stool form and difficulty of defecation. The variations in results may be due to factors like patient conditions, different massage techniques, the effectiveness of drugs used in the control group, and variations in criteria for measuring effectiveness. The study did not detect any publication bias.
Clinical Efficacy of Infantile Massage in the Treatment of Infant Functional Constipation: A Meta-Analysis Zhi Liu, Li Gang, Ma Yunwei, Ling Lin
2021 Annals of Palliative Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine shows promise in preventing cholelithiasis recurrence post lithotripsy
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may enhance prognosis for cholelithiasis patients following gallbladder-preserving lithotripsy. This systematic review analyzed TCM's efficacy and safety in this context, along with functional pathway enrichment analysis of TCM target genes. Nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 926 participants were included. Meta-analysis indicated TCM reduced cholelithiasis recurrence, complications, gallbladder wall thickness, and contraction degree. No significant adverse reactions were noted. The study suggested that TCM, particularly the flavonoid glycoside naringin from Glycyrrhiza uralensis, could be beneficial post-gallbladder-preserving lithotripsy, but further high-quality RCTs are needed for a conclusive assessment.
Systematic review and pathway enrichment analysis of Chinese medicine in preventing recurrence and improving prognosis of cholelithiasis after gallbladder-preserving lithotripsy Li B, Lin Y, Nie B, Zhao G, Zhang X, Zhu M, Hu J, Huang P, Feng S, Qiu R, Tian G, Zhang S, Shang H
2021 Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Acupuncture is shown to be a beneficial supplementary treatment for chronic abdominal pain, improving patients' quality of life and cutting healthcare costs.
The research explores the utilization of acupuncture to treat chronic abdominal pain, a condition widespread and chiefly affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This type of pain is defined by three episodes of severe abdominal pain over a span of three months. While its causes are still being looked into, it is believed to be an outcome of the chronicity of acute pain or chronic pain syndromes. A wide array of treatments for these conditions exist but often fall short of fully controlling the symptoms. Acupuncture, a form of traditional Chinese medicine based on the concept of rebalancing the patient's Qi, or Ying/Yang balance, is being investigated as a complementary method.
In terms of results, acupuncture has proven effective in providing additional alleviation of symptoms, leading to improved quality of life and reduced disability for patients affected by chronic abdominal pain. While it's not a curative solution, it aids in minimizing symptoms and enhancing overall life quality. It is also considered a safe and inexpensive alternative that may result in significant healthcare savings. Notably, it's not recommended for all patients; its benefits seem to be more pronounced in a select group.
Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Chronic Abdominal Pain Berger AA, Liu Y, Jin K, Kaneb A, Welschmeyer A, Cornett EM, Kaye AD, Imani F, Khademi SH, Varrassi G, Viswanath O, Urits I
2021 Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Acupuncture is shown to be a beneficial supplementary treatment for chronic abdominal pain, improving patients' quality of life and cutting healthcare costs.
The research explores the utilization of acupuncture to treat chronic abdominal pain, a condition widespread and chiefly affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This type of pain is defined by three episodes of severe abdominal pain over a span of three months. While its causes are still being looked into, it is believed to be an outcome of the chronicity of acute pain or chronic pain syndromes. A wide array of treatments for these conditions exist but often fall short of fully controlling the symptoms. Acupuncture, a form of traditional Chinese medicine based on the concept of rebalancing the patient's Qi, or Ying/Yang balance, is being investigated as a complementary method.
In terms of results, acupuncture has proven effective in providing additional alleviation of symptoms, leading to improved quality of life and reduced disability for patients affected by chronic abdominal pain. While it's not a curative solution, it aids in minimizing symptoms and enhancing overall life quality. It is also considered a safe and inexpensive alternative that may result in significant healthcare savings. Notably, it's not recommended for all patients; its benefits seem to be more pronounced in a select group.
Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Chronic Abdominal Pain Berger AA, Liu Y, Jin K, Kaneb A, Welschmeyer A, Cornett EM, Kaye AD, Imani F, Khademi SH, Varrassi G, Viswanath O, Urits I
2021 Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Acupuncture is shown to be a beneficial supplementary treatment for chronic abdominal pain, improving patients' quality of life and cutting healthcare costs.
The research explores the utilization of acupuncture to treat chronic abdominal pain, a condition widespread and chiefly affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This type of pain is defined by three episodes of severe abdominal pain over a span of three months. While its causes are still being looked into, it is believed to be an outcome of the chronicity of acute pain or chronic pain syndromes. A wide array of treatments for these conditions exist but often fall short of fully controlling the symptoms. Acupuncture, a form of traditional Chinese medicine based on the concept of rebalancing the patient's Qi, or Ying/Yang balance, is being investigated as a complementary method.
In terms of results, acupuncture has proven effective in providing additional alleviation of symptoms, leading to improved quality of life and reduced disability for patients affected by chronic abdominal pain. While it's not a curative solution, it aids in minimizing symptoms and enhancing overall life quality. It is also considered a safe and inexpensive alternative that may result in significant healthcare savings. Notably, it's not recommended for all patients; its benefits seem to be more pronounced in a select group.
Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Chronic Abdominal Pain Berger AA, Liu Y, Jin K, Kaneb A, Welschmeyer A, Cornett EM, Kaye AD, Imani F, Khademi SH, Varrassi G, Viswanath O, Urits I
2021 Phytomedicine
Chinese medicine presents unique advantages in managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) through immune regulation, intestinal flora regulation, and improvement of intestinal barrier function.
In their research, the researchers conducted a systematic review of studies that assessed the effects and mechanics of Chinese medicine in treating IBD. They performed a literature search on various peer-reviewed and clinical databases, including reputable international and Chinese sources. The keywords used for this comprehensive search included "inflammatory bowel disease", "Ulcerative colitis", "Crohn's disease", and "Chinese medicine". Only articles from the period of 1997-2021 that met their exclusion criteria were chosen for the review.
The compiled research illuminates recent progression in using Chinese medicine to treat IBD. Certain studies specifically look at how Chinese medicine impacts immune regulation, intestinal flora regulation, and the enhancement of intestinal barrier function in IBD patients. This information could serve as a key reference for further exploration regarding the potential of classical multi-herbal Chinese medicine in treating IBD.
A recent update on the use of Chinese medicine in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease Yang L, Luo H, Tan D, Zhang S, Zhong Z, Wang S, Vong CT, Wang Y
2021 Phytomedicine
Chinese medicine's unique immune regulation, intestinal flora regulation, and improved intestinal barrier function offer new approaches to managing chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
The study involved a comprehensive review of literature from peer-reviewed and clinical databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Springer LINK, Wan-fang database, the Chinese Biomedicine Database, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Keywords such as inflammatory bowel disease (including Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease) and Chinese medicine were used, focusing on studies conducted between 1997 and 2021, while excluding those that did not meet specific criteria.
The review primarily focused on the pathogenesis of IBD and how Chinese medicine plays a role in its treatment, particularly in immune regulation, intestinal flora regulation, and improvement of intestinal barrier function. The collective findings present exciting progress in understanding how multi-herbal Chinese medicine can potentially contribute to the treatment of IBD.
A recent update on the use of Chinese medicine in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease Yang L, Luo H, Tan D, Zhang S, Zhong Z, Wang S, Vong CT, Wang Y
2021 Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Acupuncture has shown promise as a complementary approach in treating chronic abdominal pain, providing symptom relief and improving quality of life.
The methodology revolves around applying acupuncture, a form of integrative medicine from traditional Chinese medicine, to patients suffering from chronic abdominal pain. This pain is defined as having three severe abdominal pain instances over three months, often caused by chronic acute pain or chronic pain syndromes, primarily IBS and IBD. Despite existing treatments, these often fail to control the symptoms completely, leaving room for complementary methods like acupuncture. This practice is based on rebalancing a patient's Qi, or Ying/Yang balance, previously shown effective in treating various conditions.
The results reveal that acupuncture can serve as a crucial adjunct in managing chronic abdominal pain. It is not a cure, but it significantly aids in symptom reduction and quality of life improvement. Particularly for those affected by IBS and IBD, acupuncture offers extra relief from lingering symptoms, thereby improving quality of life, decreasing disability, and potentially contributing to healthcare cost savings. Acupuncture has emerged as a safe, inexpensive, and beneficial approach for selected patients suffering from chronic abdominal pain.
Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Chronic Abdominal Pain Berger AA, Liu Y, Jin K, Kaneb A, Welschmeyer A, Cornett EM, Kaye AD, Imani F, Khademi SH, Varrassi G, Viswanath O, Urits I
2021 Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Acupuncture has shown promise as a complementary approach in treating chronic abdominal pain, providing symptom relief and improving quality of life.
The methodology revolves around applying acupuncture, a form of integrative medicine from traditional Chinese medicine, to patients suffering from chronic abdominal pain. This pain is defined as having three severe abdominal pain instances over three months, often caused by chronic acute pain or chronic pain syndromes, primarily IBS and IBD. Despite existing treatments, these often fail to control the symptoms completely, leaving room for complementary methods like acupuncture. This practice is based on rebalancing a patient's Qi, or Ying/Yang balance, previously shown effective in treating various conditions.
The results reveal that acupuncture can serve as a crucial adjunct in managing chronic abdominal pain. It is not a cure, but it significantly aids in symptom reduction and quality of life improvement. Particularly for those affected by IBS and IBD, acupuncture offers extra relief from lingering symptoms, thereby improving quality of life, decreasing disability, and potentially contributing to healthcare cost savings. Acupuncture has emerged as a safe, inexpensive, and beneficial approach for selected patients suffering from chronic abdominal pain.
Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Chronic Abdominal Pain Berger AA, Liu Y, Jin K, Kaneb A, Welschmeyer A, Cornett EM, Kaye AD, Imani F, Khademi SH, Varrassi G, Viswanath O, Urits I
2021 Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Acupuncture has shown promise as a complementary approach in treating chronic abdominal pain, providing symptom relief and improving quality of life.
The methodology revolves around applying acupuncture, a form of integrative medicine from traditional Chinese medicine, to patients suffering from chronic abdominal pain. This pain is defined as having three severe abdominal pain instances over three months, often caused by chronic acute pain or chronic pain syndromes, primarily IBS and IBD. Despite existing treatments, these often fail to control the symptoms completely, leaving room for complementary methods like acupuncture. This practice is based on rebalancing a patient's Qi, or Ying/Yang balance, previously shown effective in treating various conditions.
The results reveal that acupuncture can serve as a crucial adjunct in managing chronic abdominal pain. It is not a cure, but it significantly aids in symptom reduction and quality of life improvement. Particularly for those affected by IBS and IBD, acupuncture offers extra relief from lingering symptoms, thereby improving quality of life, decreasing disability, and potentially contributing to healthcare cost savings. Acupuncture has emerged as a safe, inexpensive, and beneficial approach for selected patients suffering from chronic abdominal pain.
Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Chronic Abdominal Pain Berger AA, Liu Y, Jin K, Kaneb A, Welschmeyer A, Cornett EM, Kaye AD, Imani F, Khademi SH, Varrassi G, Viswanath O, Urits I
2020 Neural Plasticity
Acupuncture treatment can improve the clinical effectiveness of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome or functional diarrhea.
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the effectiveness and safety of 31 acupuncture concerned studies for patients with IBS-D or FD were evaluated. We found that acupuncture can significantly reduce the number of stools per week in IBS-D or FD patients, improve patients’ overall symptoms, improve the total effective rate, decrease the recurrence rate, and reduce the pain level of patients. Based on the results, we believe that acupuncture can improve the quality of life of patients with IBS-D or FD. Although the number of adverse events in the acupuncture group was similar to that in the control group, the majority of adverse events in the acupuncture group were subcutaneous hemorrhage. With such slight adverse events, we have observed that acceptance among patients has not been reduced. Moreover, the withdrawal rate of patients in the acupuncture group was still slightly lower than that in the control group.
Acupuncture for Adults with Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Functional Diarrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Jianbo Guo, Xiaoxiao Xing, Jiani Wu, Hui Zhang, Yongen Yun, Zongshi Qin, and Qingyong He
2020 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Current evidence suggests that acupuncture is an efficient and safe treatment for functional constipation.
This systematic review suggests that acupuncture for FC is safe and effective, especially in terms of increased stool frequency and improved constipation symptoms, stool formation, and quality of life, but the relationship between acupuncture and drugs is not clear. In the future, high-quality RCTs are still needed to provide evidence to support these conclusions and examine the alternative or complementary relationship between acupuncture and existing drugs for the treatment of FC.
The Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Management of Functional Constipation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Wang, Lu; Xu, Mingmin; Zheng, Qianhua; Zhang, Wei; Li, Ying.
2020 World Journal of Gastroenterology
Positive effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture were observed in regulating gastric motility, gastric accommodation, mental status, gastrointestinal hormones, and central and autonomic functions while improving dyspeptic symptoms and quality of life.
In this systematic review, we pooled randomized controlled trials with mechanistic investigations of acupuncture or electroacupuncture in improving dyspeptic symptoms, and illustrated the existing results that may provide potential explanations for the therapeutic effects. The findings of included studies in this review suggest that acupuncture and electroacupuncture can improve gastric motility and accommodation, regulate gastrointestinal hormones and mental status, and alter certain central and autonomic functions in patients with functional dyspepsia. However, due to limitations in the included articles, high-quality studies with well-planned designs and multiregional investigations are necessary to provide more convincing and credible evidence.
Effects and mechanisms of acupuncture and electroacupuncture for functional dyspepsia: A systematic review Guo Y, Wei W, Chen JD
2020 World Journal of Gastroenterology
Positive effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture were observed in regulating gastric motility, gastric accommodation, mental status, gastrointestinal hormones, and central and autonomic functions while improving dyspeptic symptoms and quality of life.
In this systematic review, we pooled randomized controlled trials with mechanistic investigations of acupuncture or electroacupuncture in improving dyspeptic symptoms, and illustrated the existing results that may provide potential explanations for the therapeutic effects. The findings of included studies in this review suggest that acupuncture and electroacupuncture can improve gastric motility and accommodation, regulate gastrointestinal hormones and mental status, and alter certain central and autonomic functions in patients with functional dyspepsia. However, due to limitations in the included articles, high-quality studies with well-planned designs and multiregional investigations are necessary to provide more convincing and credible evidence.
Effects and mechanisms of acupuncture and electroacupuncture for functional dyspepsia: A systematic review Guo Y, Wei W, Chen JD
2020 Journal of Functional Foods
Jujube fruits contain a high amount of various bioactive compounds exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, anti-cardiovascular disease, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, anti-microbial, anticancer, and gastrointestinal-protective effects.
The scientific evidence has shown that jujube fruits contain a high amount of various bioactive compounds, including ascorbic acid, triterpenic acids, phenolic acids, amino acids, saponins, cerebrosides, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and mineral constituents. These phytoconstituents play important roles to suppress different diseases, exerting the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, anti-cardiovascular disease, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, anti-microbial, anticancer, and gastrointestinal-protective effects.
Jujube fruit: A potential nutritious fruit for the development of functional food products Rashwan, A. K, Karim, N., Shishir, M. Rezaul Islam, Bao, T., Lu, Y., & Chen, W.
2020 PLOS One
Ban Xia Xie Xin decoction has shown superior effectiveness and safety for treating chronic atrophic gastritis than patent medicine plus western medicine.
In an analysis of the clinical efficacy and safety of Banxia Xiexin decoction (BXD) for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) treatment, seven electronic databases, including Ovid, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and more, were used. The criteria for inclusion in the study were up until September 21, 2020. A Jadad scale coupled with Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool evaluated methodological quality.
Out of the 1985 patients identified for analysis across 26 randomized controlled trials, it was found that BXD treatment provided more effective and safe results than Chinese patent medicine in conjunction with western medicine. Additionally, BXD was seen to improve symptom scores for stomach distending pain and belching. It was also observed that BXD effectively inhibited Helicobacter Pylori, improved HP-related inflammation, and alleviated the degree of glandular atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia of gastric mucosa. Despite the promising results, limitations were identified in relation to methodological quality and sample size across the studies.
Efficacy of Banxia Xiexin decoction for chronic atrophic gastritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis Cao Y, Zheng Y, Niu J, Zhu C, Yang D, Rong F, et al.
2020 PLOS One
Ban Xia Xie Xin decoction has shown superior effectiveness and safety for treating chronic atrophic gastritis than patent medicine plus western medicine.
In an analysis of the clinical efficacy and safety of Banxia Xiexin decoction (BXD) for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) treatment, seven electronic databases, including Ovid, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and more, were used. The criteria for inclusion in the study were up until September 21, 2020. A Jadad scale coupled with Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool evaluated methodological quality.
Out of the 1985 patients identified for analysis across 26 randomized controlled trials, it was found that BXD treatment provided more effective and safe results than Chinese patent medicine in conjunction with western medicine. Additionally, BXD was seen to improve symptom scores for stomach distending pain and belching. It was also observed that BXD effectively inhibited Helicobacter Pylori, improved HP-related inflammation, and alleviated the degree of glandular atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia of gastric mucosa. Despite the promising results, limitations were identified in relation to methodological quality and sample size across the studies.
Efficacy of Banxia Xiexin decoction for chronic atrophic gastritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis Cao Y, Zheng Y, Niu J, Zhu C, Yang D, Rong F, et al.
2020 Frontiers in Pharmacology
Chinese medicine herb Bai Zhu might combat chronic gastritis by influencing inflammatory response, amino acid synthesis and energy metabolism.
Methodology: Network pharmacology was employed to study the active ingredients, drug targets, and critical pathways of AMK in treating chronic gastritis. Initially, four databases were scoured to single out 77 candidate ingredients of AMK, reducing that to 27 active ingredients identified for CG treatment. Furthermore, 25 overlapping gene symbols linked to CG and drugs were procured from GeneCards and OMIM databases. The construction of a protein-protein interaction network and TCM comprehensive network followed this, resulting in 528 Gene Ontology terms and 26 pathways obtained through GO pathways and KEGG pathways enrichment analyses.
Results: The investigation focused on the interleukin-17 signaling pathway, C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications as crucial points and leading pathways for treating chronic gastritis. The study suggests that AMK potentially impacts the inflammatory response, amino acid synthesis, and energy metabolism. These influential active ingredients and targets have been experimentally validated for reliability, offering new insights into the systematic exploration of the traditional Chinese medicine mechanism of action.
Network Pharmacology-Based Strategy to Investigate the Pharmacologic Mechanisms of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. for the Treatment of Chronic Gastritis Yang S, Zhang J, Yan Y, Yang M, Li C, Li J, Zhong L, Gong Q, Yu H
2020 Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy
Goji berry polysaccharide can enhance intestinal microbiota and beneficial bacteria levels, whilst modulating the innate immune response.
The study used both in vitro and in vivo methodologies to evaluate the prebiotic effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), and its potential impact on the composition of fecal microbiota and the innate immune response. In vitro studies showed that LBP supported the growth of selective probiotic bacteria. For the in vivo portion of the study, mice were given LBP, and subsequent alterations in their fecal microbiota were observed.
The results demonstrated that the administration of LBP significantly increased the abundance of certain beneficial bacteria within the mice's intestinal microbiota. Specifically, the presence of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were enhanced, while the ratio of Bacteroidetes was reduced. At the genus level, the presence of potentially probiotic genera like Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, and Prevotellaceae increased. It was also observed that the concentrations of TGF-β and IL-6 in serum and sIgA in colon content significantly heightened. The study also noted a significant difference in the thymus and spleen indices of mice treated with LBP when compared to a control group.
Prebiotic, immuno-stimulating and gut microbiota-modulating effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide Zhu W, Zhou S, Liu J, McLean RJC, Chu W
2020 Food Bioscience
Different varieties of dates pose impressive nutritional profiles and exhibit multiple health benefits, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol lowering potential.
The study embarked on a systematic literature review, utilizing the Scopus, Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International, Google Scholar and Web of Science databases to assess works published from 1971 to 2017, resulting in 270 relevant articles. The focus was to evaluate the nutritional profile and nutraceutical attributes of different date varieties worldwide, particularly from their cultivation hotspots in West Asia and North Africa.
The findings indicate that date fruit is a rich, affordable source of numerous nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, dietary minerals, vitamins, and various health-promoting compounds such as polyphenols, anthocyanins, tannins and flavones. The fruit's constituents, particularly beta-glucan, show a vast array of beneficial effects on health, functioning as antioxidant, anti-tumor, immune-modulating, anti-diabetic, and cholesterol-lowering agents, as well as promoting beneficial gut microflora growth. Preclinical studies also underline the beneficial effects of date fruit in protecting against a range of health conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer. The positive health impacts were observed in different parts of the fruit, namely the flesh, peel, and pits.
Nutritional and biological characteristics of the date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) – A review Hussain MI, Farooq M, Syed QA
2020 Scientific Reports
Mu Dan Pi (MDP) and its water extract may serve as potential treatment options for inflammatory bowel disease.
In the study, the anti-inflammatory impacts of Mu Dan Pi and its primary active compounds on inflammatory bowel disease were assessed systematically. Screening was done via NF-κB and interferon regulatory factor reporter assays in THP-1 cells, stimulated with particular gene activators. This process was later verified in bone marrow-derived macrophages. The water extract of Mu Dan Pi considerably hindered the activation of NF-κB and IRF reporters, modifying downstream signaling pathways and decreasing the production of IL-6 and TNF-α, based on dosage.
In subsequent observations, among the five known active components identified within Mu Dan Pi, one component known as PGG distinguished itself as the most effective at inhibiting reporters and reducing IL-6 and TNF-α. On a clinical application level, both MDP powder and its water extract mitigated colitis and pathological changes in mice, although PGG did not present any significant reduction. This suggests that the anti-inflammatory qualities of Mu Dan Pi may hold therapeutic potential for inflammatory bowel disease.
A systematic identification of anti-inflammatory active components derived from Mu Dan Pi and their applications in inflammatory bowel disease Chen TF, Hsu JT, Wu KC, Hsiao CF, Lin JA, Cheng YH, Liu YH, Lee DY, Chang HH, Cho DY, Hsu JL
2019 Pain Research and Management
Acupuncture could be used as an adjunct in clinical settings to improve efficacy of western medicine for irritable bowel syndrome.
Taken together, for improvement of IBS symptoms and quality of life, no difference was found in acupuncture relative to sham controls studies, while some studies indicated positive results of acupuncture in alleviating IBS symptoms, reflective of a larger potential for treating IBS by true acupuncture. Acupuncture seemed to be superior over western medicine, but the placebo effects couldn’t be ignored for all the studies were conducted in China. Acupuncture might be used as an adjunct to western medicine, herbal medicine and tuina for a better clinical effect. Future high-quality and large-sample studies with adequate stimulation amounts need to be conducted for further testing.
Comparison between the Effects of Acupuncture Relative to Other Controls on Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis Zheng H, Chen R, Zhao X, Li G, Liang Y, Zhang H, Chi Z
2019 Pain Research and Management
Acupuncture could be used as an adjunct in clinical settings to improve efficacy of western medicine for irritable bowel syndrome.
Taken together, for improvement of IBS symptoms and quality of life, no difference was found in acupuncture relative to sham controls studies, while some studies indicated positive results of acupuncture in alleviating IBS symptoms, reflective of a larger potential for treating IBS by true acupuncture. Acupuncture seemed to be superior over western medicine, but the placebo effects couldn’t be ignored for all the studies were conducted in China. Acupuncture might be used as an adjunct to western medicine, herbal medicine and tuina for a better clinical effect. Future high-quality and large-sample studies with adequate stimulation amounts need to be conducted for further testing.
Comparison between the Effects of Acupuncture Relative to Other Controls on Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis Zheng H, Chen R, Zhao X, Li G, Liang Y, Zhang H, Chi Z
2019 Nature Communications
Pu-erh tea was found to lower triglyceride and total cholesterol levels more significantly than green, oolong, or black teas.
Comparative studies using rodents treated with Pu-erh tea, green tea, and black tea provided supporting evidence that fully fermented Pu-erh tea is more effective in causing hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic effects compared to other partially fermented and non-fermented teas.
Theabrownin from Pu-erh tea attenuates hypercholesterolemia via modulation of gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism Huang, F., Zheng, X., Ma, X. et al.
2018 Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Acupuncture has been shown to decrease disease activity and inflammation via increase of vagal activity in inflammatory bowel disease.
In this review, we discuss the history, theory, and methodology of acupuncture and review potentially beneficial mechanisms of action of acupuncture for managing inflammatory bowel disease. Acupuncture has been shown to decrease disease activity and inflammation via increase of vagal activity in inflammatory bowel disease. Acupuncture has demonstrated beneficial roles in the regulation of gut dysbiosis, intestinal barrier function, visceral hypersensitivity, gut motor dysfunction, depression/anxiety, and pain, all of which are factors that can significantly impact quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Acupuncture in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Gengqing Song, MD, Claudio Fiocchi, MD, Jean-Paul Achkar, MD
2018 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Drinking alkaline-reduced water can improve the quality of life in patients suffering from diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
In this study, twenty-seven patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome were divided into two groups: one group that drank at least 2 liters of alkaline-reduced water a day, and a control group that drank placebo water. The duration of the experiment was eight weeks, during which symptom scores (including quality of life and abdominal pain/discomfort), stool form, and frequency were evaluated via questionnaires both before and after the treatment duration.
The results indicated that an overall greater percentage of patients in the alkaline-reduced water group experienced symptom improvement across the majority of the treatment period compared to the control group. Specifically, the quality of life score in the alkaline-reduced water group significantly improved, a change which was significantly more substantial than the minor improvement seen in the control group. The report about abdominal pain also showed its reduction in both groups, but this change did not significantly differ between the two groups.
Effects of Alkaline-Reduced Drinking Water on Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study Shin DW, Yoon H, Kim HS, Choi YJ, Shin CM, Park YS, Kim N, Lee DH
2018 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Drinking alkaline-reduced water can improve the quality of life in patients suffering from diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
In this study, twenty-seven patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome were divided into two groups: one group that drank at least 2 liters of alkaline-reduced water a day, and a control group that drank placebo water. The duration of the experiment was eight weeks, during which symptom scores (including quality of life and abdominal pain/discomfort), stool form, and frequency were evaluated via questionnaires both before and after the treatment duration.
The results indicated that an overall greater percentage of patients in the alkaline-reduced water group experienced symptom improvement across the majority of the treatment period compared to the control group. Specifically, the quality of life score in the alkaline-reduced water group significantly improved, a change which was significantly more substantial than the minor improvement seen in the control group. The report about abdominal pain also showed its reduction in both groups, but this change did not significantly differ between the two groups.
Effects of Alkaline-Reduced Drinking Water on Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study Shin DW, Yoon H, Kim HS, Choi YJ, Shin CM, Park YS, Kim N, Lee DH
2017 Acupuncture in Medicine
Patients receiving acupuncture combined with western medicine had a superior global symptom improvement compared with those receiving western medicine alone for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
A total of 12 trials involving 1235 patients were included. Meta-analyses demonstrated that patients receiving MA/EA combined with WM had a superior global symptom improvement compared with those receiving WM alone with no significant heterogeneity. Recurrence rates of those receiving MA/EA alone were lower than those receiving WM with low heterogeneity, while global symptom improvement (six studies) and symptom scores (three studies) were similar. Descriptive analyses suggested that acupuncture also improves quality of life in patients with GORD.
Acupuncture for the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis Zhu, J., Guo, Y., Liu, S., Su, X., Li, Y., Yang, Y., Hou, L., Wang, G., Zhang, J., Chen, J. J. D., Wang, Q., Wei, R., & Wei, W.
2017 Acupuncture in Medicine
Patients receiving acupuncture combined with western medicine had a superior global symptom improvement compared with those receiving western medicine alone for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
A total of 12 trials involving 1235 patients were included. Meta-analyses demonstrated that patients receiving MA/EA combined with WM had a superior global symptom improvement compared with those receiving WM alone with no significant heterogeneity. Recurrence rates of those receiving MA/EA alone were lower than those receiving WM with low heterogeneity, while global symptom improvement (six studies) and symptom scores (three studies) were similar. Descriptive analyses suggested that acupuncture also improves quality of life in patients with GORD.
Acupuncture for the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis Zhu, J., Guo, Y., Liu, S., Su, X., Li, Y., Yang, Y., Hou, L., Wang, G., Zhang, J., Chen, J. J. D., Wang, Q., Wei, R., & Wei, W.
2017 PLOS One
Chinese herbal medicines showed greater improvement in terms of clinical efficacy in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation than cisapride and mosapride.
Eleven eligible studies comprising a total of 906 participants were identified. In the primary outcome, TCM showed significant improvement in overall clinical efficacy compared with cisapride and mosapride. In terms of secondary outcomes, TCM significantly alleviated abdominal pain, defecation frequency, and stool form in the treatment group as compared to the control group. A lower recurrence rate was associated with TCM as compared to cisapride and mosapride. No adverse effects were observed during TCM treatment.
TCM showed greater improvement in terms of clinical efficacy in the treatment of IBS-C than cisapride and mosapride, although it was not possible to draw a definitive conclusion due to the small sample size, high risk, and low quality of the studies. Large multi-center and long-term high-quality randomized control trials are needed.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome Dan-yan Li , Yun-kai Dai , Yun-zhan Zhang, Meng-xin Huang, Ru-liu Li, Jia Ou-yang, Wei-jing Chen, Ling Hu
2016 PLOS One
Pu-erh tea's fermentation process alters its microbial community, with aging significantly impacting raw but not ripened Pu-erh, and toxic metabolites present support brewing customs.
The researchers looked into the microbial communities inherent in Pu-erh tea, a special blend originating from Yunnan, China. The fresh leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, undergo two types of fermentation- the traditional raw fermentation and the faster, ripened variant. Using high-throughput rDNA-amplicon sequencing, a method to identify and quantify various bacteria and fungi present, they examined both the leaves and both types of Pu-erh tea. The study also explored possible mycotoxins in the tea profiles through quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, a technique used to detect and quantify various substances.
Despite observing significant alterations in the fungal and bacterial compositions due to both fermentation processes, the researchers found the aging process to produce noteworthy changes in raw Pu-erh but not in the ripened type. They identified 390 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and 629 bacterial OTUs in the leaves and teas. Interestingly, despite the difference in the speed and nature of the fermentation processes, ripened and well-aged raw Pu-erh teas exhibited similar microbial communities alien from those observed in young, raw Ph-erh tea. They also found 25 toxic metabolites, primarily of fungal origin, with the most common being patulin and asperglaucide. These facts lend credibility to the Chinese custom of discarding the first preparation of the Pu-erh tea and using the damp tea for subsequent brewing.
The Microbiome and Metabolites in Fermented Pu-erh Tea as Revealed by High-Throughput Sequencing and Quantitative Multiplex Metabolite Analysis Zhang Y, Skaar I, Sulyok M, Liu X, Rao M, et al.
2016 Journal of Food and Drug Analysis
Strictinin, the major phenolic compound in Pu'er teas, shows potential as a natural antibiotic and laxative but has greater inhibitory concentrations than some commercial antibiotics.
The study isolated strictinin from the young leaves and buds of wild Pu'er tea trees to evaluate its antibacterial and laxative properties. Its minimum inhibitory concentrations against two types of bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis) were measured and compared to typical antibiotics. The study also tested the effects of combining strictinin with commercial antibiotics. Moreover, rat feeding tests were conducted to observe laxative effects.
The results showed that strictinin does have antibacterial properties albeit requiring higher concentrations compared to some conventional antibiotics. Its use in tandem with other antibiotics demonstrated additive and synergistic effects in inhibiting bacterial activity. Additionally, a laxative effect was confirmed in rats, which was likely caused by increased small intestine transit but not diarrhea or increased food intake. This suggests strictinin could be one potential ingredient in Pu'er tea responsible for antiviral, antibacterial, and laxative effects.
Antibacterial and laxative activities of strictinin isolated from Pu'er tea ( Camellia sinensis ) Hsieh SK, Xu JR, Lin NH, Li YC, Chen GH, Kuo PC, Chen WY, Tzen JTC
2015 World Journal of Gastroenterology
Acupuncture has the potential to treat gastrointestinal (GI) disorders by regulating GI motility, the GI barrier, visceral sensitivity, and the brain-gut axis.
Although acupuncture has been used as an appropriate adjunctive treatment for GI dysfunction diseases, the underlying mechanisms have not been clearly understood. Currently, there are no systematic and comprehensive review articles that clarify the regulatory effect of acupuncture on GI function. In this review, we discuss the regulation on GI function through acupuncture from the perspectives of GI motility, the GI barrier, visceral sensitivity, and the brain-gut axis. The results of studies in both humans and animals suggest that acupuncture has the potential to treat GI disorders by regulating GI motility, the GI barrier, visceral sensitivity, and the brain-gut axis. In addition, the dual regulatory effects and the intensity-dependent nature of acupuncture on GI motility are discussed.
Acupuncture and regulation of gastrointestinal function Li H, He T, Xu Q, Li Z, Liu Y, Li F, Yang BF, Liu CZ.
2012 Scientific Reports
The traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis of Cold and Hot Syndromes based on tongue-coating appearance successfully detects signals in the tongue-coating microbiomes that are indicators of the entire body's status.
In summary, by studying the tongue-coating microbiomes of chronic atrophic gastritis patients and healthy controls using next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, we revealed the possible mechanism underlying the traditional tongue diagnosis and highlighted the potential for using tongue coating microbiome features as biomarkers to reflect the holistic status of the human body, especially in gastrointestinal diseases. The current sample size of this study is still small and further investigations with more samples and complete metagenome sequencing are needed for a comprehensive understanding of the system. The observations described here might provide a new direction for understanding the biological basis of TCM tongue diagnosis and the link between the “geographic tongue†and the human body's health status observed in modern Western medicine.
Integrating next-generation sequencing and traditional tongue diagnosis to determine tongue coating microbiome Bai Jiang, Xujun Liang, Yang Chen, Tao Ma, Liyang Liu, Junfeng Li, Rui Jiang, Ting Chen, Xuegong Zhang & Shao Li
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Scientific References
Browse our collection of scientific clinical research on acupuncture for digestive health & bowel diseases.
It includes recent and reputable papers published by peer-reviewed journals within the last 10 years.
2022, Oct 28
Anatomical structures and needling method of the back-shu points BL18, BL20, and BL22 related to gastrointestinal organs: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review of acupoints and exploratory mechanism analysis
Medicine
This study provides guidance on applying needles in terms of anatomical structures to yield therapeutic responses. However, few studies have assessed how to effectively stimulate BSP to trigger digestive effects and their mechanisms. Additional studies on the relationship between BSP and the digestive system are needed to use these acupoints for digestive diseases.
Cho Y, Han Y, Kim Y, Han S, Oh K, Chae H, Hongmin C, Ryu M Full Article
2022, Jan
Consumption of 85% cocoa dark chocolate improves mood in association with gut microbial changes in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial
The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
Dark chocolate exerts prebiotic effects, as evidenced by its ability to restructure the diversity and abundance of intestinal bacteria; thus, it may improve negative emotional states via the gut-brain axis.
Shin JH, Kim CS, Cha L, Kim S, Lee S, Chae S, Chun WY, Shin DM Full Article
2022, Mar 10
Therapeutic Effect and Mechanism of Acupuncture in Autoimmune Diseases
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine
The study concludes that acupuncture has shown promising results in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), although its mechanism is not fully understood.
Jing Wang, Fangyi Zhu, Wei Huang, Zhengyi Chen, Ping Zhao, Yanting Lei, Yumei Liu, Xijun Liu, Bo Sun, Hulun Li Full Article
2022, Jan 20
Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Herbal Medicine Xiao Yao San in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Frontiers in Pharmacology
Our study showed that Xiao-Yao-San (XYS) was effective in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), including functional dyspepsia (FD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional constipation (FC), which could reduce the overall symptom score,Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores of patients and reduce the recurrence rate. Therefore, XYS may be a potential candidate for the treatment of FGIDs.
Liu Q, Shi Z, Zhang T, Jiang T, Luo X, Su X, Yang Y and Wei W Full Article
2022, Jul 14
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Functional Dyspepsia With Psychological Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Frontiers in Neuroscience
The current evidence shows that CHM treatment has great potential and safety in alleviating the symptoms of FD and improving the psychological disorders of anxiety and depression in patients with FD.
Luo X, Wang L, Fang S, Qing X, Jiang T, Yang Y, Su X, Wei W Full Article
2022, Jun 28
Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Treatment of Adult Diarrhea Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Network Meta-analysis
Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine
Acupuncture+sandwiched moxibustion has the best effect on improving the efficacy and quality of life (QOL) of irritable bowel syndrome complicated with diarrhea (IBS-D) patients.
Jiang X, Guo X, Zhou J, Ye S Full Article
2022, Feb
Clinical study on Tuina plus Shen Ling Bai Zhu San in treating children with diarrhea due to spleen deficiency
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science
Tuina plus Shen Ling Bai Zhu San has a better therapeutic effect in treating pediatric diarrhea due to spleen deficiency than Shen Ling Bai Zhu San alone.
Li J Full Article
2022, May
Habitual Green Kiwifruit Consumption Is Associated with a Reduction in Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A Systematic Scoping Review
Advances in Nutrition American Society for Nutrition
We found good evidence that green kiwifruit may reduce abdominal discomfort and pain, and some evidence that kiwifruit consumption may attenuate indigestion.
Bayer SB, Frampton CM, Gearry RB, Barbara G Full Article
2022, Jan 27
Maximizing the Estrogenic Potential of Soy Isoflavones through the Gut Microbiome: Implication for Cardiometabolic Health in Postmenopausal Women
Nutrients
The study concludes that understanding and manipulating equol production in the gut microbiome may lead to new therapeutic approaches for improving the health of postmenopausal women consuming soy.
Leonard LM, Choi MS, Cross TWL Full Article
2022, Jun 14
Turmeric for Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Population-Based Evidence
Iranian Journal of Public Health
The study concludes that curcumin and turmeric, either alone or in combination with other medications, can improve the severity of IBS symptoms and the quality of life for individuals with IBS.
Jafarzadeh E, Shoeibi S, Bahramvand Y, Nasrollahi E, Maghsoudi AS, Yazdi F, KarkonShayan S, Hassani S Full Article
2022, Jan 15
A Review on the Immunomodulatory Mechanism of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Liu Z, Jiao Y, Yu T, Wang H, Zhang Y, Liu D, Xu Y, Guan Q, Lu M Full Article
2022, Jul
Holism of Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions for inflammatory bowel disease: A review based on clinical evidence and experimental research
Phytomedicine
Zhang S, Luo H, Tan D, Peng B, Zhong Z, Wang Y Full Article
2021, Jun 11
Clinical Efficacy of Infantile Massage in the Treatment of Infant Functional Constipation: A Meta-Analysis
Frontiers in Public Health
TCM infant massage can increase defecation frequency and reduce the symptoms of constipation in children suffering from functional constipation; in addition, the clinical trial showed beneficial effects.
Zhi Liu, Li Gang, Ma Yunwei, Ling Lin Full Article
2021, Dec
Systematic review and pathway enrichment analysis of Chinese medicine in preventing recurrence and improving prognosis of cholelithiasis after gallbladder-preserving lithotripsy
Annals of Palliative Medicine
Existing evidence suggests that the use of TCM may reduce the recurrence rate after gallbladder-preserving lithotripsy and this effect may be related to the flavonoid glycoside naringin from Glycyrrhiza uralensis, but more RCTs with high quality in this area may be needed to have a robust conclusion.
Li B, Lin Y, Nie B, Zhao G, Zhang X, Zhu M, Hu J, Huang P, Feng S, Qiu R, Tian G, Zhang S, Shang H Full Article
2021, Mar 17
Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Chronic Abdominal Pain
Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Acupuncture is a complementary approach that can help reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients with chronic abdominal pain, specifically those with IBS and IBD syndromes.
Berger AA, Liu Y, Jin K, Kaneb A, Welschmeyer A, Cornett EM, Kaye AD, Imani F, Khademi SH, Varrassi G, Viswanath O, Urits I Full Article
2021, Nov
A recent update on the use of Chinese medicine in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Phytomedicine
Yang L, Luo H, Tan D, Zhang S, Zhong Z, Wang S, Vong CT, Wang Y Full Article
2020, Nov 23
Acupuncture for Adults with Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Functional Diarrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Neural Plasticity
Acupuncture treatment can improve the clinical effectiveness of IBS-D or FD, with great safety. It significantly reduces the pain levels, inflammations, and decreases the recurrence rate. It also reported that 60% of patients have stopped taking the medication due to improvements in symptoms. It has overall improved the quality of life for IBS patients.
Jianbo Guo, Xiaoxiao Xing, Jiani Wu, Hui Zhang, Yongen Yun, Zongshi Qin, and Qingyong He Full Article
2020, Jul
The Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Management of Functional Constipation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
This systematic review suggests that acupuncture for FC is safe and effective. It is reduced stool frequency and improved constipation symptoms and stool formation. It also showed that acupuncture may be more effective than pharmacological treatment. Therefore, it has less side effects and improving overall quality of life.
Wang, Lu; Xu, Mingmin; Zheng, Qianhua; Zhang, Wei; Li, Ying. Full Article
2020, May 21
Effects and mechanisms of acupuncture and electroacupuncture for functional dyspepsia: A systematic review
World Journal of Gastroenterology
Guo Y, Wei W, Chen JD Full Article
2020, Dec
Jujube fruit: A potential nutritious fruit for the development of functional food products
Journal of Functional Foods
Jujube products possess high nutritional and biological value, which can be incorporated into different food formulations to improve product quality. Therefore, jujube fruit can be a promising food ingredient for the development of functional food products to achieve high consumer acceptability and health benefits.
Rashwan, A. K, Karim, N., Shishir, M. Rezaul Islam, Bao, T., Lu, Y., & Chen, W. Full Article
2020, Oct 27
Efficacy of Banxia Xiexin decoction for chronic atrophic gastritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
PLOS One Public Library of Science
The meta-analysis showed that Banxia Xiexin decoction (BXD) was more effective and safer for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) patients than the control group
Cao Y, Zheng Y, Niu J, Zhu C, Yang D, Rong F, et al. Full Article
2020, Jan 29
Network Pharmacology-Based Strategy to Investigate the Pharmacologic Mechanisms of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. for the Treatment of Chronic Gastritis
Frontiers in Pharmacology
We showed that AMK probably influences the inflammatory response, amino acid synthesis, and energy metabolism when treating CG. This study provides novel insights for researchers to explore the mechanism of action of TCM systematically.
Yang S, Zhang J, Yan Y, Yang M, Li C, Li J, Zhong L, Gong Q, Yu H Full Article
2020, Jan
Prebiotic, immuno-stimulating and gut microbiota-modulating effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy
The study concludes that LBP supports the growth of selective probiotic bacteria, enhances the intestinal microbiota, boosts beneficial bacteria levels, and modulates the innate immune response.
Zhu W, Zhou S, Liu J, McLean RJC, Chu W Full Article
2020, Apr
Nutritional and biological characteristics of the date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) – A review
Food Bioscience
This systematic review concludes that date fruit is a rich source of nutrients and bioactive compounds with various potential health benefits.
Hussain MI, Farooq M, Syed QA Full Article
2020, Oct 14
A systematic identification of anti-inflammatory active components derived from Mu Dan Pi and their applications in inflammatory bowel disease
Scientific Reports
Chen TF, Hsu JT, Wu KC, Hsiao CF, Lin JA, Cheng YH, Liu YH, Lee DY, Chang HH, Cho DY, Hsu JL Full Article
2019, Nov 11
Comparison between the Effects of Acupuncture Relative to Other Controls on Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis
Pain Research and Management
This meta-analysis research collectively showed that acupuncture has a higher efficacy rate when combined with western medicine. Patients showed improved long term clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain and altered defecation habits, thus and overall greater quality of life.
Zheng H, Chen R, Zhao X, Li G, Liang Y, Zhang H, Chi Z Full Article
2019, Oct 31
Theabrownin from Pu-erh tea attenuates hypercholesterolemia via modulation of gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism
Nature Communications
The lipid and cholesterol-lowering effects of Pu-erh tea have been shown to be of clinical value in treating obesity, fatty liver and NAFLD. Specifically, Pu-erh tea was found to lower TG and TC levels more significantly than green, oolong, or black teas. In this study, mice and human subjects receiving Pu-erh tea exhibited significant decreases in hepatic and serum cholesterol levels. These results confirmed other reported lipid and cholesterol-lowering effects of Pu-erh tea in both mice and human subjects.
Huang, F., Zheng, X., Ma, X. et al. Full Article
2018, Dec 11
Acupuncture in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
This review have showed effectiveness of acupuncture in IBD with history and methodology of acupuncture. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, impaired gastrointestinal tract , depression/anxiety, and hypersensitivity have significantly improved. Patients also reported a better overall quality of life of patients.
Gengqing Song, MD, Claudio Fiocchi, MD, Jean-Paul Achkar, MD Full Article
2018, Jan
Effects of Alkaline-Reduced Drinking Water on Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
In a randomized controlled trial involving 27 patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS, those who ingested at least 2 liters/day of alkaline-reduced water (ARW) for eight weeks showed significant improvement in IBS quality-of-life scores compared to the control group ingesting placebo water. Additionally, a higher percentage of patients in the ARW group reported symptom improvement, and the abdominal pain score showed a numerical decrease in the ARW group. The findings suggest that the consumption of ARW for eight weeks may positively impact the quality of life in individuals with diarrhea-predominant IBS.
Shin DW, Yoon H, Kim HS, Choi YJ, Shin CM, Park YS, Kim N, Lee DH Full Article
2017, Oct
Acupuncture for the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Acupuncture in Medicine British Medical Acupuncture Society
This journal study suggests that acupuncture improve recurrence rates compared with Western Medicine (WM) when used alone. Acupuncture lead to greater overall improvement when used as an adjunct to WM in patients with GORD. They may also have a positive impact on quality of life.
Zhu, J., Guo, Y., Liu, S., Su, X., Li, Y., Yang, Y., Hou, L., Wang, G., Zhang, J., Chen, J. J. D., Wang, Q., Wei, R., & Wei, W. Full Article
2017, Dec 18
Systematic review and meta-analysis of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome
PLOS One Public Library of Science
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) showed greater improvement in terms of clinical efficacy in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) than cisapride and mosapride.
Dan-yan Li , Yun-kai Dai , Yun-zhan Zhang, Meng-xin Huang, Ru-liu Li, Jia Ou-yang, Wei-jing Chen, Ling Hu Full Article
2016, Jun 23
The Microbiome and Metabolites in Fermented Pu-erh Tea as Revealed by High-Throughput Sequencing and Quantitative Multiplex Metabolite Analysis
PLOS One Public Library of Science
We identified 390 fungal and 629 bacterial OTUs from leaves and both Pu-erhs.
Zhang Y, Skaar I, Sulyok M, Liu X, Rao M, et al. Full Article
2016, Oct
Antibacterial and laxative activities of strictinin isolated from Pu'er tea ( Camellia sinensis )
Journal of Food and Drug Analysis
The study concludes that strictinin has antibacterial activities against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and also exhibits laxative activity by accelerating small intestinal transit in rats.
Hsieh SK, Xu JR, Lin NH, Li YC, Chen GH, Kuo PC, Chen WY, Tzen JTC Full Article
2015, Jul 21
Acupuncture and regulation of gastrointestinal function
World Journal of Gastroenterology
In this review, we discuss the regulation on gastrointestinal (GI) function through acupuncture from the perspectives of GI motility, the GI barrier, visceral sensitivity, and the brain-gut axis. The results of studies in both humans and animals suggest that acupuncture has the potential to treat GI disorders by regulating GI motility, the GI barrier, visceral sensitivity, and the brain-gut axis. In addition, the dual regulatory effects and the intensity-dependent nature of acupuncture on GI motility are discussed.
Li H, He T, Xu Q, Li Z, Liu Y, Li F, Yang BF, Liu CZ. Full Article
2012, Dec
Integrating next-generation sequencing and traditional tongue diagnosis to determine tongue coating microbiome
Scientific Reports
The results reveal an important connection between the tongue-coating microbiome and traditional tongue diagnosis and illustrate the potential of the tongue-coating microbiome as a novel holistic biomarker for characterizing patient subtypes.
Bai Jiang, Xujun Liang, Yang Chen, Tao Ma, Liyang Liu, Junfeng Li, Rui Jiang, Ting Chen, Xuegong Zhang & Shao Li Full Article
“It is by virtue of the twelve channels that human life exists, that disease arises, that human beings can be treated and illness cured. The twelve channels are where beginners start and masters end.” The Classic of Acupuncture
Circa 1st Century BCE