Effect of crude-herb moxibustion on blood lipids in rats with dyslipidemia

ObjectiveTo evaluate the lipid-regulating effect of crude-herb moxibustion on rats with dyslipidemia.MethodsFifty-four Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups with nine rats each. Control group rats were fed a normal diet, and bilateral acu-point Fenglong (equivalent to ST40 in humans) on the hind legs were covered with a placebo (general mucilage) for 2 hours each day. Model group rats were fed a high-lipid diet for 2 weeks. Therapy group rats were fed a high-lipid diet for 2 weeks and then administered crude-herb moxibustion at ST40 for 2 hours each day for the next 2 weeks. Prevention group rats were administered crude-herb moxibustion 2 hours a day for 2 weeks and then fed a high-lipid diet for the subsequent 2 weeks. Prevention/Therapy group rats were each administered crude-herb moxibustion at ST40 for 2 hours each day for 2 weeks, followed by a high-lipid diet for the next 2 weeks, and then crude-herb moxibustion again at ST40 for another 2 weeks. Simvastatin group rats were fed a high-lipid diet for 2 weeks and then treated with simvastatin for the next 2 weeks. Blood lipids, hepatosomatic indices (HSIs) and epididymal fat pad weights of all rats were examined.ResultsCompared with the Model group, levels of total cholesterol (TC), glycerinate, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) in plasma collected from the Therapy group, the Prevention/Therapy group, and the Simvastatin group were decreased. Moreover, compared with the Model group, HSIs in Therapy group rats were also decreased following administration of crude-herb moxibustion, but TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, and VLDL-C levels in the Prevention group were higher than those in the Model group.ConclusionThe results reveal that blood lipids and HSIs appear to be modulated by the effect of crude-herb moxibustion and suggest therapeutic strategies for the treatment of dyslipidemia.