ObjectiveTo collect literatures on the application of neural tracing technique in experimental acupuncture research

and summarize its application status in acupoints

meridians and Zang-fu organs.Methods collected papers published from databases of CNKI(1979—2017)

Wan-Fang(1990—2017)

VIP(1989—2017)and PubMed(1997—2017)by using keywords of"neural tracing technique""neuroanatomic tracing""neural tracers"and"acupuncture""electroacupuncture""auricular acupuncture""eye acupuncture""meridians""acupuncture points""acupoint injection"

and made a summary about the current state of application of neural tracing technique in the fields A total of 94 articles were collected

the most commonly used neural tracers were horseradish peroxidase and cholera toxin subunit B. The experimental animals used were rat

rabbit

cat

monkey

etc.

and injection site was acupoint. After the injection of neural tracers

the survival time of animals was range from 1 day to 12 weeks

and the labelled tissues included neurons and nerve fibers of the sensory

motor

and autonomic systems. The outcomes of neural labeling mainly revealed the segmental pattern

neuroanatomical connection(neural pathways/circuits)and chemical features(shown by immunohistochemical staining)of neurons and nerve fibers innervating both the acupoints and visceral organs

suggesting their involvement in the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment.ConclusionThis application of neural tracing technology help us understand the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion interventions from different perspectives of neural pathways/circuits and related chemical properties

which also lays a greater role for this technology in future experimental acupuncture research.