Objective To study the protective effect of moxibustion for tripterygium-induced premature ovarian failure(POF)and its underlying mechanisms in rats.Methods Forty-five female SD rats were randomly divided into normal control

POF model and moxibustion groups(n=15/group).The POF model was induced by intragastric administration of Triptolide(40 mg/kg)

once daily for 6 weeks.From the 4 th week after modeling

moxibustion was given at"Guanyuan"(CV 4)and bilateral"Sanyinjiao"(SP 6)for 10 min

once daily for 3 weeks.Pathological changes of ovary tissues were determined by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The serum estradiol(E2)

luteinizing hormone(LH)

follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)

interleukin-6(IL-6)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)contents were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The expression levels of phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase(PI 3 K)

protein kinase B(Akt)and mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)proteins of the ovarian tissue were detected by Western blot.Results After modeling

HE staining showed that the numbers of ovarian follicles and follicular granulocytes and corpora luteum layers were decreased

and the number of corpora atretica was increased in the model group.The content of serum E2 was markedly decreased and those of serum LH

FSH

IL-6 and IL-1βwere markedly increased in the model group(P<0.01)

and the expression levels of ovarian p-PI 3 K

p-Akt and p-mTOR were markedly increased after modeling relevant to the control group(P<0.01).Following moxibustion

the pathological damage of ovarian tissue was improved

the contents of serum LH

FSH

IL-6

IL-1β

and the levels of p-PI 3 K

p-Akt and p-mTOR proteins in the ovarian tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.05

P<0.01)

and the content of serum E2 was markedly increased(P<0.05)in comparison with the model group.Conclusion Moxibustion can improve POF in POF rats

which may be related to its actions in inhibiting PI 3 K/Akt/mTOR signaling

down-regulating serum IL-6

IL-1β

and regulating serum hormones.