Effect of Danggui Niutan Decoction Combined with Moxibustion on Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis and Its Impact on Serum TNF-α and IL-1β

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-3245.2025.03.042

Abstract：Objective To investigate the efficacy of Danggui Niutan Decoction combined with moxibustion in treating patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and its impact on serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Methods Sixty-four patients with damp-heat obstruction type KOA admitted to Funan County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2023 to September 2024 were selected as the study subjects and randomly divided into an moxibustion group (n=32) and a combined treatment group (n=32) using a random number table method. The moxibustion group received moxibustion therapy, while the combined treatment group received Danggui Niutan Decoction combined with moxibustion. The clinical efficacy after treatment was compared between the two groups; the changes in traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores and joint function [Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)] before and after treatment were compared; the differences in inflammatory factors, pain levels [Visual Analog Scale (VAS)], and bone metabolism indicators [25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone] before and after treatment were also compared. Results After treatment, the total effective rate of clinical efficacy in the combined treatment group was higher than that in the moxibustion group, with a statistically significant difference (χ²=4.730, P<0.05). After treatment, both groups showed a decrease in TCM syndrome scores and WOMAC scores compared to before treatment, and the combined treatment group had lower scores than the moxibustion group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). After treatment, both groups showed a decrease in IL-1β, TNF-α levels, and VAS scores compared to before treatment, and the combined treatment group had lower levels than the moxibustion group, with statistically significant differences (t=3.999, 4.205, 8.478, P<0.05). Both groups showed increased levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcitonin, and parathyroid hormone, and the combined treatment group had higher levels than the moxibustion group, with statistically significant differences (t=9.651, 5.069, 4.641, P<0.05). Conclusion Danggui Niutan Decoction combined with moxibustion is an effective method to improve the clinical efficacy of KOA patients, and it has positive significance in relieving joint pain and reducing inflammatory reactions.