Volume 11,Issue 1
Theoretical Mechanisms of Acupuncture in Improving Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Complicated with Peripheral Neuropathy
With the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture has demonstrated distinct advantages in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with peripheral neuropathy. This paper aims to systematically elaborate on the clinical efficacy and theoretical mechanisms of acupuncture in the clinical management of type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with peripheral neuropathy by collecting relevant clinical studies published in recent years. Additionally, it provides a systematic discussion on the TCM disease nomenclature, syndrome differentiation and classification of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), as well as the acupoint selection principles for acupuncture treatment.
[1] Xie Y, Yan S, Chen B, et al., 2023, Development and Prospect of Acupuncture in the New Era. Science & Technology Review, 41(14): 42–50.
[2] Guan J, Zhou J, 2020, Dialectical Relationship Between Dry Needle and Acupuncture. China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, 35(4): 1957–1959.
[3] Zhang M, Xu Z, Xie Y, 2025, On the Connotation and Transmission of the Fifteen Collaterals Theory in Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Medicine (Huang Di Nei Jing). Journal of Li-shizhen Traditional Chinese Medicine, 36(9): 1705–1710.
[4] Xiong R, Li H, Liu J, et al., 2025, Application of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Synopsis of the Golden Chamber (Jin Gui Yao Lue). Basic Traditional Chinese Medicine, 4(11): 70–75.
[5] Wu H, 2012, Acupoint and Therapeutic Efficacy of Acupuncture-Moxibustion. Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 32(11): 1452–1457.
[6] Zhang W, Zhang X, Hu Y, et al., 2025, Research Progress in the Treatment of Cervicogenic Headache with External Therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Journal of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 41(12): 1405–1410.
[7] Liu G, Zhong W, Huang X, et al., 2025, An Overview of Basic Research on Acupuncture Treatment for Lumbar Disc Herniation. Journal of Hainan Medical University, 31(10): 793–800.
[8] Chen Z, Hu J, Huo J, et al., 2024, Discussion on Features of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment for Migraine Based on Ancient Books and Documents. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 65(10): 1063–1067 + 1081.
[9] Lin Y, Shen C, Xu S, et al., 2024, Research Progression of Acupuncture-Moxibustion in Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 44(12): 1479–1488.
[10] Liao L, Zheng S, Babayev A, et al., 2025, Clinical Study of Xingnao Qihe Tiaoshu Acupuncture Early Intervention on Ischemic Stroke. Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 52(6): 171–174.
[11] Huang X, Liu Y, Zheng S, et al., 2025, Research Progress of Acupuncture Staging Treatment for Peripheral Facial Paralysis. China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, 40(2): 787–790.
[12] Huo Y, Li X, Liu W, et al., 2024, Study on the Regularity of Acupoint Selection and Compatibility of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease Based on Complex Network Analysis. Acupuncture Research, 49(12): 1333–1341.
[13] Hu Z, Wang Y, Wu Z, et al., 2016, Study on the Effect of Moxibustion Intervention on Insulin Resistance Based on the Central Regulation of the HPA Axis. Journal of Li-shizhen Traditional Chinese Medicine, 27(10): 2558–2560.
[14] Tang H, Zhao H, Yang Y, et al., 2025, Zhao Hong’s Experience in Treatment of Gynecological Diseases Based on Spleen-Stomach Theories. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 45(11): 1633–1638.
[15] Liu T, Li Y, Sun W, et al., 2026, Current Status and Hotspot Analysis of Experimental Research on Electroacupuncture Intervention for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: Electroacupuncture Parameters, Acupuncture Effects and Molecular Mechanisms. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 30(10): 2608–2617.
[16] Duan C, Qi Y, Niu S, et al., 2025, Clinical Study on Catgut-Embedding Therapy Combined with Needle-Warming Moxibustion in Treating Obese Patients with Metabolic Syndrome. Journal of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 45(8): 1482–1489.
[17] Zhang Y, Xu X, Ma G, et al., 2024, Research Advances on Pathogenesis and Treatment of Diabetic Complications. Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin, 40(10): 1808–1813.
[18] Chen S, Mei Y, Chen M, et al., 2024, Research Status on the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy by Long Chain Non-Coding RNAs. The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 40(11): 1679–1683.
[19] Shi L, Ren M, Wu Y, 2012, Research Status of Peripheral Neuropathy and Oxidative Stress. Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui, 47(1): 94–96.
[20] Vincent A, Backus C, Mclean L, et al., 2005, Short-term Hyperglycemia Produces Oxidative Damage and Apoptosis in Neurons. FASEB J, 19(6): 638–640.
[21] Chang H, Zhang K, Xu J, et al., 2024, Clinical Value of Serum HbA1c, Alarin and Ficolin-3 Levels in Predicting Pregnancy Outcome in Patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Tianjin Medical Journal, 52(6): 625–629.
[22] Pu W, Shen L, 2020, Research Progress of BDNF in Diabetes and Its Complications. Journal of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 37(8): 750–755.
[23] Liu M, Hu Y, Xie C, et al., 2020, Case of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 40(9): 1006.
[24] Zhang K, Zhao M, Li Y, 2025, Exploring the Thinking of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Treating Insomnia Based on the Theory of “Microbial Intestinal Brain Axis”. Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Chronic Diseases, 1–13.
[25] Wang L, Luo P, Liang W, et al., 2025, Effects of Acupuncture Combined with Nifedipine Controlled-Release Tablets on Platelet Activity and Blood Microcirculation Indicators in Essential Hypertension. Inner Mongolia Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 44(10): 101–103.
[26] Zhang J, Tang C, Liao W, et al., 2019, The Antiapoptotic and Antioxidative Stress Effects of Zhisanzhen in the Alzheimer’s Disease Model Rat. Neuroreport, 30(9): 628–636.