Objective To explore the possible action of moxibustion at Zusanli（ ST 36） in treating fatigue.Methods A total of 24 SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group

a model group

and a moxibustion group

with 8 rats in each group. Rats in the model group and the moxibustion group were exposed to chronic loaded gravity for 21 days to establish a fatigue rat model. In the moxibustion group

moxibustion on bilateral "Zusanli（ ST36） "was performed

once every other day for 11 times. The normal group and the model group were not treated. The exhaustive swimming time of each group was compared before and after the intervention. After the intervention

the open-field experimental behavior of the rats in each group was observed. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction（ PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of interleukin-1β（ IL-1β）

interleukin-6（ IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α（ TNF-α） in hippocampus. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of microglia marker ion-calcium adaptor protein 1（ Iba-1） in hippocampus（ CA1 region

CA3 region）. Results After intervention

the exhaustive swimming time of the moxibustion group was（ 658. 00 ± 250. 76） s

which was significantly prolonged than that of the model group（ 263. 38 ± 105. 87） s（ P < 0. 01）. There was no significant difference in the horizontal movement distance and vertical movement distance of the open-field test between the groups（ P > 0. 05）.Compared with the normal group

the expression of IL-1β

IL-6

TNF-α mRNA and Iba-1 in the hippocampus of the model group was increased（ P < 0. 01）. Compared with the model group

the hippocampus IL-6 mRNA expression of the moxibustion group and Iba-1 expression were decreased（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. Conclusion Moxibustion at"Zusanli（ ST 36） "could improve exercise-induced fatigue in rats

and its mechanism may be related to inhibition of hippocampal microglial activation and inflammatory factors.