Objective To explore the possible mechanism of herbs-partition moxibustion at Shenque（ CV8） acupoint in treating primary dysmenorrhea. Methods Forty female SD rats were randomly divided into blank group

model group

herb-partition moxibustion group

and intragastric administration group

with 10 rats in each group.Except for the blank group

rats were treated with subcutaneous injection of estradiol benzoate and oxytocin to prepare a primary dysmenorrhea rat model. On the 5 th day

the herb-partition moxibustion group was given moxibustion at Shenque（ CV8） point; the intragastric administration group was given compound folicum roxburghii cream 80 g/（ kg·d） to gavage. Both groups were given once a day for 6 consecutive days. The blank group was subcutaneously injected with equal volume of normal saline once a day for 10 consecutive days. The writhing response was observed within 30 min after intraperitoneal injection of oxytocin. Abdominal aorta blood was measured after the end of administration. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were performed to find the main metabolites and metabolic pathways in the herb-partition moxibustion group and the intragastric administration group.Results Compared with the model group

the writhing latency of the herb-partition moxibustion group and the gavage group both prolonged and the writhing times decreased（ P < 0. 01）. Compared with the gavage group

the writhing latency and writhing frequency of the herb-partition moxibustion group were different without statistical significance（ P >0. 05）. After screening the herb-partition moxibustion group

10 differential metabolites were obtained

among which4 differential metabolites that contributed to the classification were identified

mainly hydroxyproline

pyruvate

and L-cysteine in the blood. The rise of glutamic acid involves the metabolic pathways of glutathione metabolism

amino acid metabolism

and phenylalanine metabolism. In the gavage group

12 differential metabolites were obtained

among which 3 differential metabolites that contributed to the classification were identified. The main manifestations were the decline of hydrocinnamic acid

sulfuric acid

and 2-ketoadipate in the blood. The metabolic pathways involved were amino acid metabolic pathways

phenylalanine metabolic pathways. Conclusion The effect of herbpartition moxibustion at Shenque（ CV8） point on collagen amino acids metabolized through glutathione metabolism pathway may be one of the specific mechanisms for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.