Objective To explore the anti-aging effect of moxibustion of "Zusnali" (ST 36) and "Xuanzhong" (GB 39) in D-galactose induced aging mice. Methods Thirty-three female Kunming mice (3 months old) were randomly divided into model group (n=11)

saline control group (n=10)

and moxibustion group (n=11). In addition

another 10 female mice (16 months old) were used as the physio-senility control (PSC) group. Senescent mouse model was established by subcutaneous injection of D-galactose (120 mg/kg·d-1) for 42 days. From the 13th day on after the first injection

moxibustion (3 cones/acupoint) was applied to bilateral ST36 and GB39

once every other day for one month. At the end of the treatment

the mice were killed under anesthesia for collecting cerebral cortex and cerebellar cortex separately. NO content and NOS activity were assayed by using nitrate reductase method and chemico-chromatometry respectively after homogenate and centrifugalization. Results Compared with saline control group

cerebral NO contents and NOS activity in physio-senility group and model group

cerebellar NO content in model group

cerebellar NOS activity in physio-senility and model groups increased considerably (P<0.05

<0.01). In comparison with model group

cerebral and cerebellar NO contents and NOS activity of moxibustion group lowered significantly (P<0.05

0.01). Conclusion Moxibustion of ST36 and GB39 can significantly suppress aging induced increase of both NO content and NOS activity in cerebral and cerebellar cortical tissues in aged mice

suggesting an effective anti-aging effect of moxibustion.