Efficacy of moxibustion by stimulating acupoints of Danzhong (CV 17) and Ganshu (BL 18) on hyperplasia of mammary gland in rats

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of moxibustion, through stimulating acupoints of Danzhong (CV 17) and Ganshu (BL 18) in rats with hyperplasia of mammary gland (HMG) which induced by estrogen and progestogen.

METHODS

Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into saline control group, HMG model group, and HMG moxibustion group with 10 in each group. Saline control was the group injected by saline. HMG model were created by injection of estrogen and progestogen. Moxibustion group was also injected of estrogen and progestogen with moxibustion at the same time. The Changes of nipple diameter and height were measured. The rats’ skin temperature was recorded by an infrared thermal camera at the nipples, mammary areas, Danzhong (CV 17) and Ganshu (BL 18). Pathological changes of mammary gland in rats were also observed under light microscope.

RESULTS

The diameter and height of the nipples in model group were prominently bigger and higher than that in control group (P < 0.01). The diameter and height in moxibustion group were prominently smaller and lower than that in model group (P < 0.01), and there was no significant difference between moxibustion group and control group. Compared with control group, skin temperature of the nipples, mammary area, and acupoints Danzhong (CV 17) and Ganshu (BL 18) decreased prominently in model group (P < 0.01-0.05). Compared with model group, skin temperature of that in moxibustion group increased prominently (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Treatment with moxibustion can effectively decrease the HMG rats’ nipple diameter and height, and increase the skin temperature in HMG model rats at the nipples, mammary areas, Danzhong (CV 17) and Ganshu (BL 18). This study convinces the therapeutic effect of moxibustion on mammary gland hyperplasia.