Objective To analyze the core acupoints and acupoint combinations of catgut embedding for simple obesity based on the complex network technology.Methods Articles about acupoint catgut embedding for simple obesity were collected from databases of PubMed

CNKI

Wanfang and VIP from 1980 to 2016 by using keywords"simple obesity""obesity""acupoint embedding""acupuncture"and"traditional Chinese medicine"

followed by constructing a database of acupoint prescription.Acupoint node(one node means an acupoint)weighted complex network was constructed by using complex network technique

followed by conducting centrality analysis and clustering analysis about the nodes using Matlab 2014

a software for revealing the core acupoint node and compatibility relations.At last

the results(complex network diagram)were displayed using software Gephi 0.9.1.Results A total of 238 articles(all in Chinese)including 278 acupoints(of which 115 are meridian acupoints)were collected.The top 15 core acupoints are Tianshu(ST 25)

Zusanli(ST 36)

Zhongwan(CV 12)

Fenglong(ST 40)

Sanyinjiao(SP 6)

Quchi(LI 11)

Yinlingquan(SP 9)

Guanyuan(CV 4)

Pishu(BL 20)

Qihai(CV 6)

Shenshu(BL 23)

Shangjuxu(ST 37)

Daheng(SP 15)

Shuifen(CV 9)

and Ganshu(BL 18)

mainly distributing in the abdomen

lower limbs and back.Those acupoints with the highest core degree are attributed to the Stomach Meridian

Conception Vessel

Bladder Meridian

Spleen Meridian and Large Intestine Meridian.Regarding the compatibility of these acupoints

ST 25 and CV 12 have the highest correlation frequency

followed by ST 25 and ST 36

and ST 40 and ST 25

indicating the principle of different combinations being regional acupoints and meridian acupoints.Conclusion In the treatment of simple obesity with catgut embedding

top 15 core acupoints as ST 25

ST 36

CV 12

ST 40

etc

and acupoint recipes as ST 25 and CV 12

ST 25 and ST 36

ST 40 and ST 25 are most frequently used in clinical practice.