ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of moxibustion on the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 2(TPH2) mRNA in median raphe nuclei and the activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in serum and cortex in depression model rats and to explore its mechanism.MethodsFemale SD rats were randomly divided into control group(n=6),model group(n=7) and moxibustion group(n=7).The rat depression model was induced by giving isolation-housing in combination with chronic unexpected mild stress(CUMS) for 21 days.The hemi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was employed to detect the relative expression of TPH2 mRNA,colorimetry was used to test the activity of MAO.ResultsThe expression of TPH2 mRNA in median raphe nuclei in rats of the moxibustion group was higher than that in the model group( relative dentisty value:(0.3759 ± 0.0272)vs(0.2573 ± 0.0581 ),P ＜ 0.05 ).The activity of MAO in serum and cortex was reduced in rats of the moxibustion group( ( 1.919 ± 1.243 ) U/ml,( 1292.048 ± 90.072 ) U/mg protein,respectively) compared with that in the model group ( (4.117 ± 2.727 ) U/ml,( 1441.345 ± 117.050 ) U/mg protein,respectively).ConclusionMoxibustion has the effects of improving depression,increasing the expression of TPH2 mRNA in median raphe nuclei and reducing the activity of MAO in serum and cortex might be one of its mechanisms.