Acupuncture therapy has been widely used in clinical treatment of allergic rhinitis(AR)

and can induce a positive therapeutic effect through multi-targets and multi-aspects. In recent 10 years

the research on the mechanisms of acupuncture in treating AR mainly focused on humoral immunity

cellular immunity

cell apoptosis

inflammatory mediators and factors

neuropeptides

etc. By regulating the level of immunoglobulin in the blood

acupuncture intervention can restore the relative balance of cellular immune response

reduce the accumulation of eosinophils and promote apoptosis

down-regulate the expression of related inflammatory mediators and factors

regulate the excitability of related nerves

modulate the release of neuropeptides and other ways to diminish the inflammatory reaction of nasal mucosa

and enhance the repair and protection of nasal mucosa

relieve the nasal symptoms at last. On the basis of the existing studies

the follow-up research should make use of the advantages of acupuncture intervention

refine the treatment process

and deeply explore the feasibility of acupuncture treatment of AR

further promote the combination of mechanism study and clinical practice

provide references for clinical application. Moreover

some shortcomings exist

for example

the unknown correlation between the therapeutic effect and duration of treatment

the unknown correlation between the effect of acupuncture and various targets

and disconnection between experimental research achievements and clinical application

etc.