Mechanism study of governor vessel moxibustion on alleviating female rats hyperplasia of mammary gland via regulating the NF-B signaling pathway

Key Points

• This study aims to explore how moxibustion regulates the NF-κB signaling pathway to alleviate mammary gland hyperplasia in female rats.
• 40 female SD rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control, model, drug, and moxibustion, with 10 rats each.
• The mammary gland hyperplasia model was induced using estrogen and progesterone; moxibustion was performed biweekly for 4 weeks.
• Various assessments were conducted including tissue pathology, hormone levels via ELISA, mRNA expression via qRT-PCR, and protein levels via Western blot.
• The model group showed increased mammary gland diameter and height, elevated serum E2, PRL, inflammatory cytokines, and decreased antioxidant levels (P<0.05).
• Compared to the model group, both drug and moxibustion groups exhibited opposing effects on the aforementioned indicators (P<0.05).
• Moxibustion potentially reduced hyperplasia by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway and regulating hormone levels.