Moxibustion Pretreatment Attenuate epileptic seizures by mediation P2X7 receptor

The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is involved in long-term brain hyperexcitability driven by epilepsy and inflammation. It is currently unclear whether moxibustion pretreatment by the purine signaling pathway interference in P2X7R is involved in the mechanism of epilepsy treatment. Male C57BL/6 mice received moxibustion pretreatments at the acupoints of Zusanli (ST36) and Dazhui (GV14) once a day for 7, 14, or 21 days and immediately after an intraperitoneal injection of KA (30 mg/kg) and recording the behavior changes follow the Racine scales. Moxibustion pretreatment stimulation at ST36 and GV14 of 14 or 21 days significantly reduced the KA-induced seizure. In addition, there was no difference between treatment 14 or 21 days in epileptic mice. Then, we aimed to investigate the role of P2X7R in epileptogenesis in vivo using agonist (BzATP) or inhibitor (A438079) to influence the expression of this receptor. P2X7R agonist BzATP can aggravate seizure. We found moxibustion pretreatment can attenuate epileptic seizures via confronting BzATP. The result implied that Moxibustion pretreatment at ST36 and GV14 acupoints for 14 days has anti-epileptic effects, which may be related to inflammation mediated by P2X7 receptors.