Objective To observe the curative effect of long-snake moxibustion in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.Methods A total of 66 patients with allergic rhinitis were randomized into moxibustion group(n=34)and control(herbal medicine)group(n=32)according to a computer-aided random digit table.Long-snake moxibustion stimulation over the Governor Vessel from Dazhui(GV 14)to Mingmen(GV 4)was performed for 30 min

once a week for 2consecutive months.Patients of the control group were treated by oral administration of"Yupingfeng"Granules(containing radix astragali

atrctylodis macrocephalae

etc.)one bag(5g)every time

3times a day for 2months.Plasma IL-2

IL-6

cAMP and cGMP contents were detected using ELISA.Results After the treatment

of the 32 and 34cases in the control and moxibustion groups

2and 6were cured

12 and 16experienced marked improvement in their symptoms(nasal mucosal edema

obstruction and discharging

sneezing)

12 and 9were improved

6and 3invalid

with the effective rates being 81.3% and 91.2%

respectively.Results of ELISA showed that after the treatment

plasma IL-2

IL-6

and cGMP contents were significantly decreased in both the moxibustion and control groups(P<0.01)

while plasma cAMP levels and cAMP/cGMP ratios were significantly up-regulated in both groups(P<0.01).The therapeutic effects of moxibustion were considerably superior to those of herbal medicine "Yupingfeng"in clinical effective rate and lowering plasma IL-2

IL-6

cGMP contents(P<0.01)

and in raising plasma cGMP level and cAMP/cGMP ratio(P<0.01).Conclusion Long-snake moxibustion treatment is effective in improving symptoms of allergic rhinitis patients

which may be related to its function in mobilizing the body's immune function.