Combined acupuncture and herb treatment improves intestinal flora inabdominally obese subjects based on 16s rRNA sequencing: a randomized controlled trial

doi:10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2026.01.019

Abstract

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To investigate Acupuncture-herb therapy modulates gut microbiota in abdominal obesity.

METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was designed in accordance with standard protocols. Abdominally obese subjects were randomized into four groups: A2 (Control): double placebo, A1 (Needle): press needle + placebo herb, A3 (herb): herbal medicine (Huatan Lishi Fang化痰利湿方) + placebo needle, A4 (Combination): press needle + herbal medicine. After 12 weeks of treatment, groups were relabeled B1-B4. Weight, waist circumference, and body mass index were measured monthly. Gut microbiota was analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing for diversity and abundance.

RESULTS: Combined needle-herb therapy significantly reduced waist circumference (P < 0.05). All treatments altered gut microbiota composition. The combination group showed significant changes in diversity (Chao1, Shannon, Simpson; P < 0.05). Needle therapy increased Bacteroidia; herbs reduced Lachnospiraceae and Megamonas. All results were significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Combined needle-herb treatment modulated 25 key gut flora across multiple taxonomic levels in abdominal obesity. It reduced Firmicutes and Bacteroidota. Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota, and Prevo-tellaceae may suppress obesity, whereas Proteobacteria, Lachnospiraceae, and Megamonas may promote it. The combination specifically altered Bacteroidaceae, Lachno-spiraceae, Bacteroidia, and Megamonas.

Key words: gastrointestinal microbiome, obesity, abdominal, sequence analysis, RNA, acupuncture, herbal medicine, intervention mechanism, randomized controlled trial

YUAN Menghua, SHAO Jianbin, YANG Yawei, ZHAO Yan, HU Xingang. Combined acupuncture and herb treatment improves intestinal flora inabdominally obese subjects based on 16s rRNA sequencing: a randomized controlled trial[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2026, 46(1): 205-210.

Figures/Tables 3

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Group	n	Waist	Weight	Body max index
A1	23	90.5±7.5	72.2±9.1	26.5±1.9
B1		86.0±8.0	71.2±9.0	26.2±2.6
A2	23	93.4±9.7	79.2±16.7	27.7±3.8
B2		88.4±12.5	75.7±17.1	26.3±3.6
A3	22	92.0±9.5	74.6±10.9	26.7±2.5
B3		83.1±19.1	72.6±10.3	25.0±2.4
A4	23	90.2±7.7	74.7±11.3	27.3±3.6
B4		83.3±9.4^a	71.7±11.0	26.1±3.7

Group	n	Waist	Weight	Body max index
A1	23	90.5±7.5	72.2±9.1	26.5±1.9
B1		86.0±8.0	71.2±9.0	26.2±2.6
A2	23	93.4±9.7	79.2±16.7	27.7±3.8
B2		88.4±12.5	75.7±17.1	26.3±3.6
A3	22	92.0±9.5	74.6±10.9	26.7±2.5
B3		83.1±19.1	72.6±10.3	25.0±2.4
A4	23	90.2±7.7	74.7±11.3	27.3±3.6
B4		83.3±9.4^a	71.7±11.0	26.1±3.7

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