Acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) for the Benefits of Sepsis--Laboratory Evidence for "Preventive Treatment of Disease" and "Holistic Concept" in the Protective Effects of Acupuncture: A Literature Review of Rodent Studies

Lin Zeng^1,2*Jiangtian Yan²

• ¹College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
• ²Huanggang Normal University, Huanggang, China

The objective of this study was to explore the holistic anti-inflammatory mechanisms of acupuncture at ST36 in sepsis-related multi-organ damage. Current research indicates that ST36 stimulation neuro-endocrine-immune network and serum exosome, which exhibit anti-inflammatory properties in sepsis or normal mice. However, critical gaps persist: Firstly, there is a necessity for further exploration of neural circuit mechanisms, given that the effects of acupuncture involve multiple interdependent pathways [e.g., sympathetic nervous system, vagus nervous system (cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and vagal-splanchnic nerve axis)], which underscores the importance of studies on context-specific neural conduction conditions. Secondly, there is a lack of clarity regarding exosome dynamics, including their production mechanisms, cellular origins, and optimal therapeutic targets. The last, while the majority of studies have focused on post-inflammatory regulation, emerging evidence suggests the potential for preventive applications, such as the observation that low-intensity ST36 electroacupuncture activates disease-independent anti-inflammatory pathways. Future research must integrate neural circuit complexity, exosome biology, and preventive applications to advance acupuncture's translational utility in sepsis and systemic inflammation.