Journal of Pain Research (May 2023)
Hemorphin-Based Analgesia: A Mechanism of Cupping Technique?
Abstract
Changzheng Song,1 Qingwei Wang,2 Nianci Song3 1Erythrocrine Research Initiative of Translational Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, People’s Republic of China; 2Cancer Therapy Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, People’s Republic of China; 3Biodesign Lab, Geriatricare Biorobotics Studio, Baltimore, MD, USACorrespondence: Changzheng Song, Erythrocrine Research Initiative of Translational Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, N-18877 Jingshi Road, Jinan, 250062, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected] and Objective: Cupping is a time-honoured traditional healing modality for pain management and remains favoured by professionals and lay people across several cultures today. However, the analgesic mechanism of cupping is still poorly understood. In addition, clinical guidelines for standardized applications of cupping are currently lacking. The awareness of cupping marks has provoked curiosity about the connection between skin color changes and their benefit for local pain relief. Computer simulation is a promising approach for numerical modeling the cupping-evoked erythrocyte emigration. Quantitative proteomic profiling of cupping-induced blister fluid exhibited a significant decrease in the abundance of haemoglobin β subunit. This finding provides a critical clue to paint a novel picture of the mechanism behind cupping. The hemorphins are a set of non-classical opioid peptides derived from the proteolysis of haemoglobin β subunit. In the present study, a probable mechanism of hemorphin-based cupping analgesia is proposed. The hemorphin could also act as a potential biomarker for objective and timely quantitative clinical assessment of cupping in the management of pain conditions. A seminal theory may open a new avenue for future translational research on promoting the efficacy and safety of cupping analgesia.Conclusion: The local analgesic effect of cupping is probable in the context of haemoglobin degradation that bestows the appearance of hemorphins along with engaging opioid receptor signalling. Exploring the potential novel mechanism of cupping analgesia facilitates seeking non-pharmacologic pain interventions.Keywords: cupping analgesia, erythrocyte, hemorphin, cupping mark, numerical simulation
