As a part of the study of Moxibusion, we have examind the leaves of Altemisia vulgaris L. var. indica Maxim (Altemisia) to clarify the structure of one by macroscopic, scanning electron microscopic and transmission electron microscopic observation.
We obtained results as follows;
First, when the structure of Altemisia grown in the sunlight was compared with one grown in the shade, the leaves of the former containd much hairs than one of the latter on both young and matured ones.
Second, the hairs of young leaves were dense, thick and short and the cross section of one showed round shape. On the other hand, in the hairs of matured leaves, their cross section were flat.
Third, as a result of comparison with Altemisia and Gnaphalium multiceps Wall (Gnaphalium), the former had some kinds of glandular hairs and head-form hair except T-form hair, although, the latter had only one kind of head-form hair except woolly hair.

In order to clarify the functional mechanism of the therapeutic effects of moxibustion, we have examined the influences exerted on the organism's defense system, especially the phagocytosis of the reticuloendothelial syntem in normal mice using the carbon clearance method.
Male ddY and ICR mice were used as experimental animals. The experiment was begun when the animals were 5 weeks old. The moxibustion methods involved 3 cones of 15mg or 5mg moxa at right and left LV-14.
We obtained results as follow; the global phagocytic index, K index and the corrected phagocytic index, α index, were increased 3hr after 5mg of moxa/animal treatment and K index increased 3hr and 24hr after 15mg of moxa/animal one in ddY mice.
On the other hand, in ICR mice, 15mg of moxa/animal treatment showed increase in α index after 3hr and increase in both K and α indexs after 120hr.
From the above, it is suggested that the moxibustion stimulation induced the enhancement of the phagocytic activity in normal mice.

In our previous studies, blood coagulation and fibrinolytic activity after single moxibustion were found to change within the range of physiological variability in mice. In this paper, the effect of multiple moxibustion on the activity of blood coagulation was examined by using male ddY mice (6 weeks old). 15mg of moxa was divided into 6 cones and mice were treated by each 3 cones at right and left LV-14. The multiple moxibustion schedule was a total of 5, 10 and 15 treatments. There was no effect of multiple moxibustion on body weight and Ht. 5 treatments of moxibustion showed a significant decrease in PT (p<0.05) and 10 treatments showed an increase in the ma value of TEG and in HPT activity. No significant change in PTT nor ATIII activity was found following multiple treatments of moxibustion.
These results showed that the enhancement of blood coagulation did not continue during multiple moxibustion even though single moxibustion stimulated the activity of blood coagulation at 1 and 3hrs. In addition, the increase in HPT activity induced by 10 treatments of moxibustion may have shown an effect of mildly stimulating liver function.

In order to clarify the morphological changes in the producing stage of moxa and the differences in the quality of various commodity moxa, we observed samples of each producing stage and several kinds of commodity moxa by the naked eye, scanning and transmission electron microscope.
We confirmed that moxa consisted of T-form hair taken from a mixture of leaf stems and leaves obtained from shredded and ground Altemisia leaves. However, no significant changes were observed in the T-form hair itself since the stem of the T-form and short T-form hair were removed.
Concerning differences in the quality of commodity moxa, differences in the extraneous matter on the hair surface, uniformity of thickness of hair, flatness, crookedness, size of each wad of hair and smoothness of hair surface were observed in addition to the traditional color, impurity, texture, smell and etc.

Previous studies have been reported on the properties of moxa and the effect it has on the self defense mechanism of the body. To study the characteristics of acupoints, the study this time is from the point of whether there are any differences in biological responses if the same stimuli (5mg/body and 15mg/body of moxa) are applied to different acupoints. The acupoints chosen were KIMON, which is the therapeutic acupoint of liver, and DAIO, which is the spleen meridian acupoint located on the same vertical line and which has no effect on the liver. Male ddy mice (6 weeks old) were used as experimental animals. A comparison of the clinical biochemical values of serum 1, 3, 6 and 24 hours after application was conducted. The amount of invasion on body function from each moxibustion stimulus through the strength and progress of biological response was studied. Increases in serum Amylase, LDH, CK, GOT, and GPT in the DAIO group were obtained as compared to that of the KIMON group. There was also a decrease in serum CHE in the DAIO group as compared to that of the KIMON group. It was suggested that there were difference in biological responses between different application points, even with the application of the same stimuli.

Effects of moxibustion on liver injury induced by CCl₄ and ethionine in mice were investigated in the reticuloendothelial system. The phagocytic activity was determined by the carbon clearance method and the activity of lysosomal enzyme (acid phosphatase and β-glucuronidase) in peritoneal exudate cells was measured.
Male ddY and ICR mice (5 weeks old) were used as experimental animals.
Liver injury was produced by the administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in a dose of 0.04ml/body in olive oil, p. o., or single administration of ethionine in a dose 1g/kg, i. p.
15mg of moxa was divided into 6 cones and they were treated by each 3 cones on right and left LV-14.
We obtained the following results. After 15 times administration of CCl₄ (3 times a week), the rise of serum transaminase (GOT, GPT), the decrease of K index and α index which meant phagocytic activity and the increase in liver/body (L/B) and spleen/body (S/B) weight ratio were recognized. For CCl₄ induced liver injury, α index and S/B weight ratio were improved by 10 times moxibustion (2 times a week). After 15 times moxibustion (3 times a week), the tendency to increase in K index and to decrease of α index was seen and, at the same time, an increase in L/B weight ratio was seen.
On the other hand, an increase in K index was induced after single administration of ethionine and simultaneous single moxibustion showed the tendency to decrease of K index.
It was suggested that moxibustion play an important role to regulate the mechanism of reticuloendothelial system on CCl₄ or ethionine induced liver injury.

The efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion for hypertension is often experienced by many clinicians. Nevertheless the mechanism whereby the therapy improves the symptoms has been scarcely elucidated. Our present study was designed to examine some effects of acupuncture upon the organism, especially upon the renal function which is implicated in hypertension.
Experiment I
Acupuncture therapy was undertaken four times on a patient with essential hypertension who was given no hypotensive drugs. In each therapy, needles (No. 2, Seirin) were perpendicularly inserted to the depth of 1.5cm at V₂₀ Fengchi, VU₂₁ Weishu, and G₃₆ Zusanli and left there for 15 minutes. The blood samples and urine were collected three times: before the insertion, 15min. and 60min. after withdrawing the needles. At the same time, blood pressure, pulse, and the amount of urine were measured. The amount of Na, K, Cl, kallikrein, catecholamines, etc. was measured in urine. The renin activity and the concentration of aldosterone, catecholamines, and BUN were determined in the blood. Result: a marked increase was seen in the excretion of urine, Na, and Cl. An upward tendency of kallikrein excretion which is correlated with urine volume, and a downward tendency of renin in the blood were found. Blood pressure and pulse showed a slight tendency to decline. However, neither catecholamines in the blood, nor K in urine changed significantly.
Experiment II
Subjects were two healthy adult men. Urine was collected once an hour for twenty-five times by means of a balloon inserted in the bladder. Immediately after the twenty-first collection, acupuncture stimulation was given to VU₂₁ Weishu in the same manner as Exp. I. With the same measurements and determinations undertaken, a marked increase of urine, Na, and Cl excretion was observed 15min. after withdrawing the needle.
Experiment III
Subjects were three healthy adult men. Urine was collected for two days. The amount of urine and the electrolyte content were calculated on a per hour basis. Without having breakfast after rising, the subjects were given a transfusion of glucose-electrolyte solution, equivalent to the calculated urinary output, every hour for four hours. The VU₂₁ Weishu was stimulated in the same manner two hours after the onset of the first transfusion. Result: a marked increase was seen in the excretion of urine, Na, and Cl.
Conclusion
It can be seen from the above that acupuncture stimulation to the VU₂₁ Weishu facilitates the selective excretion of Na and Cl in the urinary tubule.

To investigate the mechanism of moxibustion therapy, the temperature at the surface of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue during moxibustion was measured using CA-thermocouple.
Male ddy mice (5 weeks old) were used as experimental animals. Animals are treated by single moxibustion of 1, 2 and 5mg of moxa cones and multiple one of each weight on the right and left LV-14. We obtained the following results.
In the single moxibustion, the increase in the maximum temperature was observed according to the weight increase in moxa cones (0.5-2mg). The elongation of the retention time that the temperature was kept above 40°C and of the recovery time which was required for the temperature to return at the given one (pre-moxibustion temperature +5°C) was also significant with the moxa cone of 0.5-2mg.
In the multiple moxibustion, the increase in the maximum temperature was significant with the moxa cone of 1-2mg and these increase in cone numbers was apparent up to 4 cones on the surface of skin and up to 6 cones on the subcutaneous tissue. After that, the maximum temperature approached to the given value. The retention time was elongated according to the increase in the weights of moxa and in the cone numbers. The recovery time was also elongated according to the increase in the weights of moxa, but these time by the increase in cone numbers showed mild elongation.

In our previous studies, it was suggested that single moxibustion stimulation activated blood coagulation and fibrinolytic activities within normal range in mice at 1 and 3hrs.
In order to further investigate the mechanism of moxibustion, we have examined the antithrombin III (AT III) and fibrinolytic activities after single moxibustion.
Male ddy mice (6 weeks old) were used as experimental animals. Each mouse was treated with 15mg of moxa divided into 6 cones, 3 each on the right and left LV-14.
We obtained the following results. The plasminogen (PLG) activities and the values of plasma total protein decreased at 1hr after single moxibustion.
The activities of plasma AT III, α2 plasmin inhibitor (α2 PI) and factor XIII, and plasma fibrinogen level remained unchanged at 1 and 3hrs.
The blood coagulation and fibrinolytic activities changed, but they were almost within the range of physiological variability.
These results suggest that blood coagulation and fibrinolysis were activated as part of its defence mechanism while keeping homeostatic balance.

Effects of single moxibustion on platelet aggregation and ATP-release in mice have been studied. Male ddY mice (6 weeks old) were used as experimental animals. 15mg and 5mg of moxa were divided into 6 cones and mice were treated by each 3 cones at right and left LV-14. The electronic aggregometer was used for measuring platelet aggregation and ATP-release using whole blood. Platelet aggregation and ATP-release activities were determined by collagen (final concentration; 2μg/ml) and ADP (final concentration; 20μM) as inducers.
No significant changes on platelet and red blood cell numbers were found after the moxibustion with 15mg of moxa. However, white blood cell numbers were decreased at 1hr and increased at 24hr after the moxibustion.
After the moxibustion with 15mg of moxa, platelet aggregation activity induced by collagen showed no change, but the mild shortness of lag time was observed from 1 to 5hr. While, the mild suppressive effect on platelet aggregation induced by collagen was observed at 1 and 5hr after the moxibustion with 5mg of moxa.
After the moxibustion with 15mg of moxa, mild increase in platelet aggregation activity at 24hr and in ATP-release activity from 1 to 5hr was found. After the moxibustion with 5mg of moxa, an apparent increase in ATP-release activity was observed at 1 and 3hr.
These results suggested that the mild changes in platelet functions were closely related with the response of the coagulation and the fibrinolytic activity in mice.