Wet cupping therapy improves mu opioid receptor expression and pain threshold in animal models of inflammation.

Background & Objectives: Treatment of chronic pain using NSAIDs, steroids, opioids, and herbs has been associated with many complications with the long-term use. Wet cupping therapy (WCT) has been used to reduce pain, by triggering mu opioid receptor expression. We conducted this study to compare the effectiveness between WCT with oral opioids for pain management. Methodology: It was an experimental study with randomized control group post-test only design. Thirty two male white rats of strain Wistar were divided into four groups: (1) Group-NC; mice in this group were given nothing as a negative control group, (2) Group-CFA; group that was given Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) only as a positive control group, (3) Group-WCT; mice were given CFA and WCT, and (4) Group-O was given CFA and oral opioids. The measured variables were pain threshold value and mu opioid receptors. Statistical analysis was done us(ing SPSS software (version 22.0, Chicago, IL). Results: The results showed no significant differences in the expression of mu opioid receptors between Group-NC and Group-CFA (p = 0.061). There were significant differences in the expression of opioid receptors between Group-CFA and Group-WCT (p < 0.001), and also between WCT group and Group-O (p = 0.002). The differences of pain threshold value were only significant between Group-NC (p = 0,006) and Group-CFA (p = 0,013) with Group-O. Conclusion: Wet cupping therapy triggers the expression of mu opioid receptors. Wet cupping therapy as effective in relieving pain as opioids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]