Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the colonic mucosa, characterized by core clinical manifestations including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and hematochezia. Based on these manifestations, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) classifies UC under disease categories such as "dysentery" and "diarrhea." The pathogenesis of UC remains incompletely elucidated but is believed to involve a complex interplay of immunological dysregulation, genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and gut microbiota alterations. Contemporary clinical management predominantly relies on pharmacological interventions, such as aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologics, which primarily target immune suppression to modulate inflammatory severity. However, these regimens often present limitations, including variable efficacy, significant adverse effects, high relapse rates upon discontinuation, and substantial economic burden, underscoring the need for complementary and alternative therapeutic strategies. Accumulating evidence suggests that acupuncture and moxibustion, as integral components of TCM, may serve as effective, safe, and well-tolerated complementary and alternative medical approaches for UC. These modalities are thought to exert their effects through multi-targeted mechanisms, including immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory actions, protection of the intestinal mucosal barrier, and regulation of the gut-brain axis. To systematically consolidate recent clinical experiences and research directions, this comprehensive review compiles, analyzes, and synthesizes relevant literature published in recent years concerning the application of acupuncture and moxibustion in UC treatment. It aims to provide an updated overview of their efficacy, potential mechanisms, safety profiles, and various application forms, thereby informing clinical practice and guiding future research endeavors.

Yan Zuo, Patam Rahman, Xiaolei Ma, Yu Liu. Clinical research progress of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Frontiers in Medical Science Research (2025), Vol. 7, Issue 6: 161-167. https://doi.org/10.25236/FMSR.2025.070619.

[1] GBD 2017 Inflammatory Bowel Disease Collaborators. The global, regional, and national burden of inflammatory bowel disease in 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 [J]. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020,5(1):17-30.

[2] Ye L, Cao Q, Cheng J. Review of inflammatory bowel disease in China [J]. Scientific World Journal. 2013:296470.

[3] Le Berre C, Honap S, Peyrin-Biroulet L. Ulcerative colitis [J]. Lancet. 2023,402(10401):571-584.

[4] Ordás I, Eckmann L, Talamini M, et al. Ulcerative colitis [J]. Lancet. 2012;380(9853):1606-1619.

[5] Chon TY, Lee MC. Acupuncture [J]. Mayo Clin Proc. 2013,88(10):1141-1146.

[6] Peretz DI. Moxibustion [J]. CMAJ. 2002,167(5):448.

[7] Huang Yongjie. Analysis of the Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Therapy in Treating Chronic UC [J]. Contemporary Medical Journal, 2016,14(16):38-39. (in Chinese)

[8] Huang Jiesi, Li Zhi, Sun Rui. Exploring the clinical efficacy and mechanism of "Relieving Liver and Regulating Spirit" acupuncture therapy for UC based on the brain-gut interaction [J]. Modern Diagnosis and Therapy. 2023,34(24):3650-3653. (in Chinese)

[9] Li Chunling, Li Linghua, Han Xu, et al. Clinical Observation on the Treatment of UC with Acupoint Needling Combined with Oral Mesalazine [J]. Journal of Kunming Medical University. 2024,45(03):72-78. (in Chinese)

[10]  Gamus D, Shoenfeld Y. Acupuncture therapy in autoimmune diseases: A narrative review [J]. Autoimmun Rev. 2025,24(2):103709..

[11] Zhang Jiacheng, Zhu Wenjing, Wang Xiaoyu, et al. Research Status and Thoughts on the Treatment of UC with Moxibustion [J]. World Chinese Medicine. 2024,19(19):3039-3044. (in Chinese)

[12] Guo Yanhui, Mao Dandan, Zhang Hui, et al. Research Progress on the Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine External Therapies in Preventing Recurrence of UC [J]. Zhejiang Clinical Medicine. 2024,26(10):1570-1572. (in Chinese)

[13] Zhao Wenwen, Yu Bianfang, Wang Qingfeng, et al. Meta-analysis of the clinical efficacy and adverse events of moxibustion in the treatment of UC [J]. Journal of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2023,25(10):74-79. (in Chinese)

[14] Ma XP, Hong J, An CP, et al. Acupuncture-moxibustion in treating irritable bowel syndrome: how does it work? [J]. World J Gastroenterol. 2014,20(20):6044-6054.

[15] Chen M, Zhao S, Guo Y, et al. The Influence of Acupuncture Parameters on Efficacy and the Possible Use of Acupuncture in Combination with or as a Substitute for Drug Therapy in Patients with UC [J]. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022,2022:8362892.

[16] Chen Tian, Wang Zehui, Peng Yunhua, et al. Clinical efficacy of modified Kudzu Root, Forsythia, and Pinellia Decoction combined with acupuncture in patients with UC of damp-heat type [J]. Chinese Patent Medicine.2025,47(02):453-457. (in Chinese)

[17] Ye Jia, Liu Chang, Zhu Meiping. Clinical efficacy of Tongxie Decoction combined with acupuncture in the treatment of UC and its effects on serum inflammatory factors and intestinal flora [J]. Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine.2024,51(06):159-162. (in Chinese)

[18] Li Chunling, Li Linghua, Han Xu, et al. Clinical Observation on the Treatment of UC with Acupoint Needling Combined with Oral Mesalazine [J]. Journal of Kunming Medical University.2024,45(03):72-78.(in Chinese)

[19] Guo Hailian, Shi Jie, Ji Rong, et al. Analysis of the Effects of Guaizi Cake Moxibustion Combined with Acupuncture on Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Function and Baron Score in Patients with UC of Spleen-Kidney Yang Deficiency Type [J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine.2025,53(07):69-73. (in Chinese)

[20] Qian Shengnan, Gao Zongyue. Observation on the Therapeutic Effect of Acupuncture Combined with Fire Dragon Cupping in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate UC [J]. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture. 2024,43(04):381-388. (in Chinese)

[21] Liu Miao, Du Qiang, Mao Gang, et al. Study on the Efficacy of Acupoint Insertion Therapy Based on the "Yu Meng Matching Acupoints" Theory Combined with Conventional Treatment for UC [J]. Medical Information. 2022,35(23):143-146. (in Chinese)

[22] Tang Jingyun, Lu Meiqi, Zhang Ting, et al. Meta-analysis of traditional Chinese medicine acupoint application for the treatment of UC [J]. Journal of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences).2023,44(07):507-513. (in Chinese)

[23] Bian Tun. Clinical Study on the Treatment of UC with Traditional Chinese Medicine Retention Enema Combined with Acupoint Injection [J]. New Chinese Medicine. 2015,47(12):53-55. (in Chinese)

[24] Chen Hongxia, Qiu Gan, Huang He, et al. The influence of auricular acupressure combined with auricular bean application on the psychological state of patients with UC [J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine for External Treatment. 2019,28(02):18-19. (in Chinese)

[25] Zhang X, Kang Y, Li T. Mechanism study of acupuncture and acupuncture combined with medication in the treatment of UC [J]. Physiol Res. 2025,74(3):359-372.