NMR-based metabolomic analysis for the effects of moxibustion on imiquimod-induced psoriatic mice

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Moxibustion is a traditional medical intervention of traditional Chinese medicine. It refers to the direct or indirect application of ignited moxa wool made of mugwort leaves to acupuncture points or other specific parts of the body for either treating or preventing diseases. Moxibustion has been proven to be effective in treating skin lesions of psoriasis.

Aim of the study: This study was performed to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of moxibustion treatment on imiquimod-induced psoriatic mice.

Materials and methods: We established an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriatic mice (Model) and assessed the effects of moxibustion (Moxi) treatment on skin lesions of psoriatic mice by the PASI scores and expressions of inflammation-related factors relative to normal control mice (NC). We then performed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomic analysis on the skin tissues of the NC, Model and Moxi-treated mice to address metabolic differences among the three groups.

Results: Moxi mice showed reduced PASI scores and decreased expressions of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-8, IL-17A and IL-23 relative to Model mice. Compared with the Model group, the NC and Moxi groups shared 9 characteristic metabolites and 4 significantly altered metabolic pathways except for taurine and hypotaurine metabolism uniquely identified in the NC group. To a certain extent, moxibustion treatment improved metabolic disorders of skin lesions of psoriatic mice by decreasing glucose, valine, asparagine, aspartate and alanine-mediated cell proliferation and synthesis of scaffold proteins, alleviating histidine-mediated hyperproliferation of blood vessels, and promoting triacylglycerol decomposition.

Conclusions: This study reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of moxibustion treatment on the skin lesions of psoriasis, potentially improving the clinical efficacy of moxibustion.

Keywords: Imiquimod-induced psoriatic mice; Metabolomics; Moxibustion; NMR.