Garlic, Separated Moxibustion Plus Acupuncture Research On Psoriasis Vulgaris Efficacy And Cytokine Gene Expression

Purpose:The aims of this study are, through observing the clinical effects of the therapeutic method of indirect moxibustion with garlic combined with acupuncture on psoriatic patients (psoriasis vulgaris), to confirm its efficacy and, from the molecular biology level, explore its mechanisms. In addition, the study will provide empirical and theoretical foundations for the studies of the treatment of this disease using acupuncture and moxibustion.Methods:Treat fifteen psoriatic patients marked by a blood deficiency and wind dryness pattern with indirect moxibustion with garlic combined with acupuncture every other day, three times per week, for a total of six weeks. Draw 10ml. of blood the day before the treatment and immediately after the last session of treatment respectively. Separate the blood draws into groups labeled pre-treatment and post-treatment. Establish another group as a control group with blood samples from eight healthy persons. Apply the method of RT-PCR to examine the gene expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and Tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α ) of the blood samples. Secondly, apply Psoriasis assessment and severity index (PASI) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) to measure the changes of the scores of psoriatic lesions and the changes of depressive mood on patients, respectively.Results:1. The results of RT-PCR reveal that the therapeutic method of indirect moxibustion with garlic combined with acupuncture can decrease the gene expressions of IL-8 and TNF-α and increase the gene expression of IL-10 on patients with psoriasis vuglaris.2. The method can decrease the scores from PASI (P<0.05).3. The method can decrease the scores from HAMD (p<0.05).