Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2025
05:36
Herbs-Partitioned Moxibustion on the Navel in a Rat Model of Primary Dysmenorrhea with Cold Coagulation and Blood Stasis
Published on: October 4, 2024
415
Moxibustion Enhances Ovarian Function by Inhibiting the Th17/IL-17 Pathway and Regulating Gut Microbiota in POI Rats.
Zheng Luo1, Xinru Lu1, Tianyi Zhang1
1Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Nanjing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated to Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Summary
Moxibustion effectively treats premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) in rats by regulating the IL-17 pathway and improving gut microbiota. This traditional therapy offers a promising alternative for restoring ovarian function and addressing infertility.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Immunology
- Microbiome Research
Background:
- Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) significantly impacts female fertility and well-being, with current hormone therapies offering limited functional restoration and potential side effects.
- The therapeutic mechanisms of moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medicine, for POI remain largely unexplored, necessitating further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion in a rat model of POI.
- To elucidate the underlying molecular and microbial mechanisms by which moxibustion exerts its effects on ovarian function.
Main Methods:
- A cyclophosphamide-induced POI rat model was treated with moxibustion at specific acupoints (CV4, SP6) for four weeks.
- Hormone levels, estrous cycles, ovarian histology, gut microbiota composition, and gene expression profiles (transcriptomics) were analyzed.
- Network pharmacology was employed to identify active moxa components and their targets, integrated with transcriptomic data to pinpoint key pathways.
Main Results:
- Moxibustion treatment normalized estrous cycles, improved hormonal profiles, and enhanced ovarian reserve in POI rats.
- Key findings indicated that moxibustion modulates the Th17/IL-17 signaling pathway, reducing pro-inflammatory mediators and Th17 cell populations.
- Significant alterations in gut microbiota diversity and composition were observed, correlating positively with improved hormonal balance and ovarian function.
Conclusions:
- Moxibustion demonstrates significant therapeutic potential for premature ovarian insufficiency in a preclinical model.
- The therapeutic effects are attributed to the regulation of the Th17/IL-17 pathway and modulation of the gut microbiome.
- These findings provide a mechanistic basis for the clinical application of moxibustion in managing POI and related infertility.
