Objective To explore the effects of moxibustion intervention on wound healing in rats with full-thickness cutaneous wounds.Methods A total of 28 adult SD male rats were randomly assigned to model group and moxibustion group(n=14 in each one).The skin wound model was established by removal of a piece of full-thickness skin from the median line of the rats'back(about 2 cm below the shoulder blade).Moxibustion intervention was applied to the surrounding area of the focus for 25 min

once daily for 6 days.The wound healing was observed and photographed after each moxibustion intervention.The wound tissues were harvested after transcardiac perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde solution on the 2 nd and 7 thday after modeling

and stained with H.E.and Masson methods for displaying histopathological changes and collagen fiber growth status

respectively.Results After modeling

the cutaneous wound was healed gradually in both groups

and the wound area was significantly smaller from the 2 nd day to the 5 th day in the moxibustion group than in the model group(P<0.01

P<0.05).Correspondingly

the wound closure area was significantly bigger from the 2 nd to the 5 th day in the moxibustion group than in the model group(P<0.01).H.E.and Masson staining showed that the number of the inflammatory cells(monocytes

macrophages

neutrophile

etc.)and the collagen fiber area in the local wound tissue of the moxibustion group were significantly bigger than those of the model group on the 2 nd day after intervention(P<0.01).After 6 sessions of moxibustion intervention

the number of fibroblasts and collagen fibers in the moxibustion group were obviously increased than that in the model group

characterized by closer arrangement of fibroblasts and collagen fibers

more and larger of the new-born blood vessels

and thicker of the scab in the wound area.Conclusion Moxibustion can promote the wound healing by enhancing the growth of collagen fibers and cell proliferation in the traumatic cutaneous area in full-thickness cutaneous wound rats.