“A significant progress has been made in the study of the mechanism of action of moxibustion on adjuvant arthritis rats. The research team constructed an AA rat model to observe the effects of moxibustion on joint swelling and arthritis index in rats, and further explored the mechanism of moxibustion on rheumatoid arthritis. The experimental results showed that compared with the normal group, the joint swelling degree and arthritis index of the model group rats were significantly increased, and the expression levels of inflammatory proteins such as NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, TNF - α, and IL-1 β in synovial tissue were also significantly increased. After moxibustion treatment, the degree of joint swelling and arthritis index in rats were significantly reduced, and the expression level of inflammatory proteins in synovial tissue also decreased accordingly. In addition, the degree of ultrastructural damage to synovial cells in the joint of rats in the moxibustion group was significantly reduced. This discovery indicates that moxibustion can significantly improve the joint inflammation response in AA rats, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1 β inflammasome signaling pathway by moxibustion. This research achievement provides a new idea and method for in-depth understanding of the mechanism of moxibustion in treating rheumatoid arthritis, and provides a new scientific basis for the application and development of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy.”