Moxibustion activates host defense against herpes simplex virus type I through augmentation of cytokine production

• Published in: Microbiology and immunology Vol. 54; no. 9; p. 551
• Main Authors: Takayama, Yuko, Itoi, Manami, Hamahashi, Takashi, Tsukamoto, Noriyuki, Mori, Kazuya, Morishita, Daisuke, Wada, Kumiko, Amagai, Takashi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia 01.09.2010
• Subjects: Animals; Cytokines - biosynthesis; Cytokines - genetics; Herpes Simplex - immunology; Herpes Simplex - therapy; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Killer Cells, Natural - immunology; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Moxibustion; RNA, Messenger - analysis
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2010.00250.x
• ISSN: 0385-5600

Moxibustion is a technique used in traditional oriental medicine, the aim of which is to cure and/or prevent illness by activating a person's ability for self-healing. In this study, we assessed how moxibustion would affect the immune system and whether it would augment protective immunity. Mice were treated with moxibustion at Zusanli (ST36) acupoints; we analyzed mortality and cytokine activity in sera after infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and cytokine gene expression in the skin and the spleen without a virus challenge. Our study demonstrates that pretreatment of BALB/c mice with moxibustion resulted in a marked increase in the survival rate after infection with lethal doses of HSV-1, and elevated serum levels of IL-1β and IFN-γ on days 1 and 6 post-infection with HSV-1. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR assay showed that moxibustion treatment augmented the expression of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, universal-IFN-α, MIP-1α, and TNF-α mRNA in the skin, and IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-12p40, IL-15, u-IFN-α, MIP-1α, and TNF-α mRNA in the spleen. Moreover, moxibustion induces augmentation of natural killer cell activity. Collectively, our study demonstrates that moxibustion activates protective responses against HSV-1 infection through the activation of cytokine production including IFN, and of NK cells.