Abstract
We report here effects of moxibustion, electroacupuncture and kampo-hozai on delayed type hypersensitivity to picryl chloride (PC) . Six-nine-week old male ddY mice were used. Stimuli were applied to the point equivalent to the Mingmen point of the human body (on the post median line, between the 2 nd and 3 rd lumbar spinal processes), which Chinese medicine regards to be closely related to immunity. Significant enhancement of ear swelling was observed when moxibustion (10 mg moxa/mouse) and electroacupuncture (2.5 Hz, 15 min.) were applied for three days before PC sensitization. Significant inhibition of ear swelling was observed when moxibustion, electroacupuncture (5 Hz, 10 min.) and oral administration of kam-po-hozai ohrengedoku-toh (made in our laboratory) were applied for three days before PC cha-llenge. Immunological responses occured in the peripheral blood monocyte fluctuation and cervical lymph nodes. Oriental medical treatment was proven to affect cellular immunization. Moxibustion and electroacupuncture either enhanced or inhibited immunological responses, depending on the time of treatment, and ohrengedoku-toh inhibited these responses.
