Acupuncture and Drug Combination Therapy for Abnormal Glucose Metabolism: Exploring Synergistic Enhancement and Reduced Toxicity Mechanisms

This review examines the impact of combining acupuncture with drug therapy on abnormal glucose metabolism and investigates their underlying mechanisms. Conditions like diabetes pose significant health risks due to irregular glucose metabolism. Traditional drug treatments often encounter challenges related to side effects and drug resistance. Acupuncture, as a non-pharmacological intervention, is thought to enhance glucose metabolism and mitigate medication side effects. We selected the relevant studies of acupuncture or electroacupuncture combined with drugs in the treatment of abnormal glucose metabolism in the past five years, and the results indicate that the combination of acupuncture or electroacupuncture and drug therapy markedly enhances glucose metabolism and mitigates medication-related side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort and hypoglycemia. Overall, this review underscores the synergistic benefits of acupuncture and drug therapy in improving treatment efficacy and reducing adverse effects, offering promising new approaches for managing abnormal glucose metabolism. Our review provides evidence for the potential benefits of combining acupuncture with drug therapy for abnormal glucose metabolism, which could lead to improved treatment outcomes and reduced side effects for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.