Table 1 Summary information of itch modeling and needle details for acupuncture intervention

[27]

Rat

Rat model of neurodermatitis

Combining chronic mild unpredictability stress with local skin friction stimulation

DU20,

bilateral GB20

0.35 × 25 mm

0.3 inches

\

\

\

\

Continuous acupuncture treatment for 14d

[28]

Mouse

Histamine-dependent pruritus mouse model

Injected with histamine phosphate subcutaneously into the neck and back

Bilateral SP10, LI11 and LI4

No.30needle

5 mm

Puncture straightly

Lifting, thrusting, and twirling

\

20 min

once daily for 2d

[29]

Mouse

Histamine and chloroquine-induced itch model in mice

Subcutaneous injection of histamine phosphate or chloroquine at the shaving area of the nape

Bilateral SP10, LI11 and LI4

\

2.5 ~ 3 mm

Puncture straightly

Lifting, thrusting, and twirling

\

20 min

Once daily for 2d

[30]

Mouse

Chloroquine-induced itch model in mice

Subcutaneous injection of chloroquine into the shaving area back of the neck

Bilateral SP10, LI11 and LI4

\

5 mm

Puncture straightly

Lifting, thrusting, and twirling

\

20 min

Once daily for 3d

[31]

Mouse

Atopic dermatitis mouse model

Apply 100 μl of 2% DNCB acetone solution to the shaved abdomen and ears of mice

Bilateral PC6,

LI11

\

1 ~ 2 mm

\

Intensity 1 ~ 2 mA (rat limbs shaking slightly), sparse and dense waves, frequency 2/100 Hz, alternating

2/100 Hz

20 min

Once alternate days for 9 times

[32]

Mouse

Mouse model of allergic contact dermatitis

Apply 200 μl of 1 ~ 2% DNCB acetone solution to the shaved abdomen, extremities, and ears of mice

PC6,

ST36

Disposable acupuncture needles

4 mm

Puncture

obliquely

Sparse and dense wave, 5–10 times/s, frequency 2/100 Hz, current intensity 1 ~ 2 mA(the mouse limb muscle slight tremor)

2/100 Hz

30 min

Once alternate days for 3 weeks

[33]

Mouse

Compound 48 /80 induced itch model in mice

Compound 48 /80 injected subcutaneously into the rostral part of the back

SP10,

LI11

\

\

\

Current intensity 2 mA, frequency 2/15 Hz

2/15 Hz

30 min

1d

[34]

Rat

Model rat of type I hypersensitivity

The mixture of 1 mg OVA and 1 ml Al(OH)3 suspension injected into the abdominal cavity of the rat

Bilateral SJ10, SJ11,

non-channel-non-acupoint

\

\

Penetrative needling

Sparse and dense wave(2 Hz/30 Hz), current intensity 2 mA, output voltage 2 ~ 4 V(local light tremor), with Zhiyin bloodletting daily

2/30 Hz

30 min

14d

[35]

Rat

Model rat of type I hypersensitivity

The mixture of 1 mg OVA and 1 ml Al (OH)3 suspension injected into the abdominal cavity of th e rat

SJ10. (other points not described)

\

\

\

Electroacupuncture needled

\

\

14d

[36]

Mouse

Compound 48 /80 induced itch model in mice

Compound 48/80 injected subcutaneously into the center of the neck

SP10, LI11

\

\

\

Current intensity 3 mA, frequency 2/15 Hz

2/15 Hz

30 min

1d

[37]

Rat

5-HT-induced itch model in rat

Intradermal injection of 10 ml NS or 2% 5-HT at the nape of the neck

LI11,

LI4,

ST36,

SP6

\

Quchi 4 mm, Hegu 1 mm

Puncture straightly

Post-anesthetization electroacupuncture (sparse and dense waves of 4–16 Hz), and the intensity is gradually increased from 1 V pulse voltage to 3 V

4–16 Hz

1 V 10 min

2 V 10 min

3 V 20 min

Once

[38]

Rat

Model rat of type I hypersensitivity

Primary immunization and excitation of rats with an intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin

the topical

EASJ10, SJ11,

BL67 bloodletting

\

\

\

Sparse and dense waves 2 Hz/30 Hz, Current intensity 2 mA, output voltage 2 ~ 4 V(local light tremor)

2/30 Hz

20 min

Once daily for 14d

[39]

Mouse

MC903(a vitamin D analog) induced atopic dermatitis model

Application of MC903 to the mouse cheek

LI11

0.18 × 8 mm; Haenglim-Seoweon Acuneedle Co., Korea

2-3 mm

\

The needle was twisted for 30 s at a rate of twice per second and immediately removed

\

30 s

Preventive acupuncture-treated group 11d

therapeutic acupuncture-treated group

4d

[40]

Mouse

Acetone and diethyl-induced chronic dry skin itch mice model

A piece of gauze infiltrated with a volume ratio (1:1) of acetone and diethyl ether was applied to the shaved portion of the mouse neck for 15 s and then another piece of gauze infiltrated by distilled water was used for another 30 s, twice a day for 9 consecutive days

Left side: LI4, LI11,

SP10,ST36

\

2-3 mm

\

The current was delivered through Han’s acupoint nerve stimulator (LH202, China), and frequency was 100 Hz, the intensity of 1 mA or 3 mA, and the wave width was 0.3 ms

100 Hz

30 min

EA was performed once every other day, A total of five treatments of EA were performed

[41]

Mouse

The mixture of acetone and diethyl ether (1:1) induced the dry skin mice model of chronic itch

A mixture of acetone and diethyl ether (1:1) was applied to the shaved area by a piece of wet gauze at the neck for 15 s and then using another gauze infiltrated by distilled water for another 30 s, twice a day for 9 days consecutively

Left side: LI4, LI11

0.25 mm outer diameter

2-3 mm

\

EA (1 mA) was administered with different frequencies (2, 15, or 100 Hz), a modified current constant Han’s Acupoint Nerve Stimulator (LH202; Huawei Co., Ltd., Beijing, China), and the shaking of the left forelimb muscle as the criterion for the success of the EA

2/15/or 100 Hz

30 min

EA treatment once every other day for 5 times

[42]

Mouse

Morphine-induced pruritus model

intrathecal morphine injection to induce pruritus

Bilateral LI11,SP10

7 × 0.20 mm;Huatuo,Suzhou,China

5 mm

Vertically

An intensity of 2 mA and a frequency of 2/15 Hz dilatational wave

2/15 Hz

30 min

EA preconditioning was conducted each day for 5 consecutive days before modeling

[43]

Mouse

DCA and

GTI induced scratch model

Mice were injected subcutaneously with GNTI (0.3 mg/kg) or DCA (8.3 mg/kg) to the back of the neck

ST36,

LI4,

LI11

\

2 mm

\

EA Trio 300

stimulator (Ito, Japan) at an intensity of 2 mA for 20 min at 2 Hz, using a 150 μs pulse width

2 Hz

20 min

\

[44]

Rat

Capsaicin-induced model of atopic dermatitis

Capsaicin (50 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected into rat pups 48 h after birth

Six acupoints (bilateral BL13, and unilateral LI11,ST36,SP10,SP6)

Disposable intradermal needles (0.12 × 4 mm, stainless steel,

Haeng Lim Seowon Medical)

\

Inserted

oblique

A frequency of 120 Hz, mixed (120 + 12 Hz), intermittent (10 s stimulation and 5 s no stimulation)

EA intensity was controlled 75 ~ 100Vp-p (9.5 mA) such that rats were comfortable and did not squeak, but weak muscle twitches were induced

120 Hz, mixed (120 + 12 Hz)

30 min

\

[45]

Rat

Serotonin-Evoked Itch

An intradermal of 2% serotonin (20/μl) injected into the rostral back

ST36, SP6,LI4, LI11 and the itchy points (pruritic region);

\

5 mm

\

EA:2 Hz or 120 Hz. Voltage: 3 V-6 V

Rats were comfortable and do not squeak but had weak muscle twitches

2/120 Hz

30 min

\