Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy Attenuates Inflammation in CCI-Induced Sciatica by Inhibiting the NF-κB Pathway.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of an integrated acupuncture-moxibustion regimen in a rat model of chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced sciatica, with particular emphasis on NF-κB p65 expression and nuclear translocation as activation-related indicators of NF-κB-associated neuroimmune signaling.

METHODS

A rat CCI model was established and randomly allocated into four experimental groups sham surgery (Sham), untreated CCI (CCI), active drug comparator (Drug), and acupuncture-moxibustion therapy (Acu). Pain-related behavioral alterations were evaluated using thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) and mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) assessments. Histopathological alterations in the sciatic nerve and spinal cord were examined using hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, was quantified by quantitative real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). NF-κB activation-related changes were further evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses focusing on NF-κB p65 expression and nuclear localization.

RESULTS

Compared with the CCI group, rats receiving acupuncture-moxibustion therapy demonstrated significant recovery of TWL and MWT values, indicating attenuation of neuropathic pain hypersensitivity. Histological analyses revealed substantial preservation of sciatic nerve and spinal cord architecture following treatment. RT-qPCR and ELISA findings showed marked reductions in proinflammatory cytokine expression and circulating inflammatory mediator levels in the Acu group. Furthermore, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analyses demonstrated significant suppression of NF-κB p65 expression and reduced nuclear translocation following acupuncture-moxibustion intervention.

CONCLUSION

Acupuncture-moxibustion therapy effectively ameliorated CCI-induced sciatica and was associated with suppression of proinflammatory cytokine production and attenuation of NF-κB-associated inflammatory signaling, providing mechanistic support for integrative non-pharmacological strategies in neuropathic pain management.