The Protective Effect of Pre-Moxibustion on Reproductive Hormones Profile of Rats with <b><i>Tripterygium</i></b> Glycosides-Induced Ovarian Damage

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Acupuncture and moxibustion have been proven to be conducive to improving the ovarian reserve. However, the mechanism of pre-moxibustion on <i>Tripterygium</i> glycosides (TG)-induced ovarian damage has not been previously reported. <b><i>Method:</i></b> Female rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control, model (75 mg/kg TG, 14 days), preventive moxibustion 1 (PM1, receiving moxibustion for 4 weeks before TG administration), preventive moxibustion 2 (PM2, receiving moxibustion for 2 weeks before TG administration and another 2 weeks during TG administration), and preventive moxibustion 3 (PM3, receiving 4 weeks of moxibustion during TG administration). The estrous cycle of the animal was recorded after TG administration. Rats were sacrificed 14 days after TG administration. The reproductive hormones profiles in serum, ovary, and hypothalamic tissues were analyzed. <b><i>Result:</i></b> Pre-moxibustion could revert abnormal estrous cycles, relieve follicle damage, and improve abnormal secretion of reproductive hormones resulting from ovarian damage. However, both PM2 and PM3 were more effective than PM1. In addition, PM2 disclosed more advantages in regulating reproductive hormones abnormalities, while PM3 performed better in follicular development. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In combination, the findings of this study suggest that pre-moxibustion is effective in protecting the ovary from damage in TG-induced ovarian damage rats. But different time points correspond to different modulation targets and mechanisms.