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This systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether acupuncture can protect the intestine in animal models of ulcerative colitis, and explored the biological mechanisms behind any observed benefits. Researchers searched eight major databases, spanning from their inception to June 2025, and ultimately included 31 studies involving 597 animals.
The meta-analysis found that acupuncture significantly reduced the disease activity index score — a composite measure of colitis severity — in treated animals compared with controls. At the molecular level, acupuncture lowered the expression of three key pro-inflammatory proteins: tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6. Simultaneously, it increased the expression of two tight-junction proteins, Zonula occludens-1 and Occludin, which are critical for maintaining the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier.
Subgroup analyses suggested that differences in how colitis was induced in the animals may partly explain variation in disease activity index and interleukin-6 results, while differences in how long needles were retained during treatment appeared linked to variation in tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta findings. The authors acknowledge that the evidence derives entirely from animal studies, so caution is warranted when extrapolating to human clinical practice.
Conclusion: Based on animal model evidence, acupuncture appears to protect the intestine in ulcerative colitis by suppressing inflammatory pathways and restoring the integrity of the gut mucosal barrier.
Source: Zhang J, Zheng X, Zuo G and colleagues. Medicine (2026). View on PubMed (PMID 42536534) · doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000049951
