Objective To observe the influence of moxibustion on the cyclin and cellular proliferin of the cerebral cortex in senile mice so as to explore its underlying mechanism in delaying aging. Methods Sixty male mice were randomly and equally divided into control

model

moxibustion of "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Xuanzhong" (GB 39

M-ST 36-GB 39)

moxibustion of "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Guanyuan" (CV 4

M-GV 20-CV 4)

and medication groups. The aging model was established by subcutaneous injection of D-galactose for 42 days. Moxibustion was applied to ST 36

GB 39

GV 20 and CV 4 separately for 3 moxa-cones

once every other day for one month. The expression of cell cycle protein P 16 and retinoblastoma (pRb)

and c-fos protein in the cerebral cortex tissue of the senile mice were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with control group

the number of P 16 immunoreaction (IR) positive neurons in the cerebral cortex increased significantly in the model group ( P<0.01 )

and those of cortical pRb and c-fos IR-positive neurons decreased considerably in model group ( P<0.01 ). In comparison with the model group

the number of cortical P 16 IR-positive neurons reduced significantly in M-ST 36-GB 39

M-GV 20-CV 4 and medication groups ( P<0.01 )

and those of cortical pRb and c-fos IR-positive neurons increased remarkably in M-ST 36-GB 39

M-GV 20-CV 4 and medication groups ( P<0.01

P<0.05 ). No significant differences were found in the aforementioned 3 indexes among M-ST 36-GB 39

M-GV 20-CV 4 and medication groups ( P>0.05 ). Conclusion Moxibustion of ST 36-GB 39 and GV 20-CV 4 can down-regulate the P 16 expression

and up-regulate pRb and c-fos protein expression in the cerebral cortex of senile mice

which possibly contributes to its effect in delaying aging.