Cao Dianxiu, Kitamura Toshihiko, Todo Hiroaki, Yoo Sun Dong, Sugibayashi Kenji
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University, 1-1 Keyakidai, Sakado, Saitama 350-0295, Japan.
Int J Pharm. 2008 Apr 16;354(1-2):117-25. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2007.11.003. Epub 2007 Nov 9.
This study was conducted to evaluate the pretreatment effects of different in vivo moxibustion on the permeation of a model high molecular compound, FITC-dextran, with a mean molecular weight of 4 kDa (FD-4), through excised hairless rat skin. Direct or indirect moxibustion (0.10 g moxa) was pretreated consecutively 4 times every 5 min on the abdomen of hairless rats, and the permeation of FD-4 was determined through the excised skin over 8h from 30 min after starting the first moxibustion. This consecutive moxibustion pretreatment showed a significant increase in the skin temperature as well as skin permeation of FD-4 compared with the control group (no moxibustion pretreatment). Quantitative parameters showed an increase in skin temperature and skin permeation: the area under the skin temperature over control temperature-time curve during one burning cycle (5.0 min) (AUCtemp) or the maximum skin temperature during moxibustion (Tmax) and the cumulative amount of FD-4 permeated through skin over 8h (Q8) or steady-state flux were increased by moxibustion pretreatment. Then, the effect of pedestal thickness (distance from the moxa cylinder and skin surface), shape of the moxa cylinder (5mm diameter, 13 mm height or 9 mm diameter, 7 mm height), burning materials (moxa or aromatic incense), pedestal component (paper, potato or ginger) and moxibustion pretreatment method (direct or indirect moxibustion) was evaluated on the AUCtemp or Tmax and Q8 or flux. The amount of protein leached from the skin surface was also determined as an inflammatory index by this moxibustion pretreatment. When the skin temperature was increased to 60 degrees C, the Q8 or flux as well as the amount of protein leached were markedly increased. When the skin temperature was controlled to 42 to 45 degrees C by an adequate selection of pedestal thickness, shape of the moxa cylinder, burning materials, pedestal component and moxibustion pretreatment method, on the other hand, protein leaching remained unaltered, but the Q8 or flux significantly increased with the Tmax. This study thus provides credible evidence that moxibustion pretreatment increases the skin permeation of high molecular compounds.
本研究旨在评估不同的体内艾灸预处理对一种平均分子量为4 kDa的模型高分子化合物异硫氰酸荧光素 - 葡聚糖（FD - 4）透过切除的无毛大鼠皮肤的渗透作用。将直接或间接艾灸（0.10 g艾绒）每隔5分钟在无毛大鼠腹部连续预处理4次，在开始第一次艾灸30分钟后，通过切除的皮肤测定8小时内FD - 4的渗透情况。与对照组（未进行艾灸预处理）相比，这种连续艾灸预处理使皮肤温度以及FD - 4的皮肤渗透显著增加。定量参数显示皮肤温度和皮肤渗透增加：一次燃烧周期（5.0分钟）内皮肤温度高于对照温度 - 时间曲线下的面积（AUCtemp）或艾灸期间的最高皮肤温度（Tmax），以及8小时内透过皮肤的FD - 4累积量（Q8）或稳态通量，均因艾灸预处理而增加。然后，评估了底座厚度（艾柱与皮肤表面的距离）、艾柱形状（直径5mm，高13mm或直径9mm，高7mm）、燃烧材料（艾绒或香）、底座成分（纸、土豆或生姜）以及艾灸预处理方法（直接或间接艾灸）对AUCtemp或Tmax以及Q8或通量的影响。通过这种艾灸预处理，还测定了从皮肤表面渗出的蛋白质含量作为炎症指标。当皮肤温度升高到60℃时，Q8或通量以及渗出的蛋白质含量显著增加。另一方面，通过适当选择底座厚度、艾柱形状、燃烧材料、底座成分和艾灸预处理方法将皮肤温度控制在42至45℃时，蛋白质渗出未发生变化，但Q8或通量随Tmax显著增加。因此，本研究提供了可靠证据表明艾灸预处理可增加高分子化合物的皮肤渗透。
