Objective To explore the possible mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of functional dyspepsia（FD）. Methods Ten out of 43 rats were randomly selected as blank group

while the other 33 rats were set as model group of which 30 rats were successfully modeled. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group

moxibustion group and mosapride group

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

multi-factor interventions including tail-clamping stimulation and irregular diet were given in all the groups to establish the model for 20 days. After successful modeling

moxibustion group was administered with moxibustion at "Zusanli"（ST 36）

30 minutes per time

once daily; 0.45 mg/（kg·d） mosapride was given by gavage in mosapride group; both groups were intervened for 14 days. After the intervention

the serum level of interleukin 17（IL-17） was detected by ELISA; the morphological changes of duodenum were observed by HE staining; and the expressions of forkhead box protein 3（Foxp3） and retinoic acid-related nuclear orphan receptor-γt（ROR-γt） in duodenum were detected by western blotting. Results Compared to those in the blank group

the serum level of IL-17 in the model group increased significantly（P<0.01）; the structure of duodenal mucosa was relatively complete

but the villi were partly exfoliated

arranged in an irregular way

with inflammatory cell infiltration; Foxp3 protein expression in duodenum decreased significantly（P<0.01）

while the expression of ROR-γt protein increased（P<0.01）. Compared to the model group

the moxibustion group and mosapride group had significantly lower serum level of IL-17（P<0.01）; the villi of duodenum were arranged in order

and the infiltration of inflammatory cells was reduced in both groups

while part of the duodenal villi in the mosapride group was damaged and fell off; the expression of Foxp3 protein increased in the moxibustion group and mosapride group（P<0.05）

and the expression of ROR-γt protein decreased（P<0.05）. Compared to the level of serum IL-17 in the mosapride group

that in moxibustion group significantly decreased（P<0.05）; there was no significant difference in the expression of Foxp3 and ROR-γt in duodenum between mosapride group and moxibustion group（P>0.05）. Conclusion Moxibustion at Zusanli can reduce serum IL-17 level and adjust Foxp3/ROR-γt balance

thereby reducing intestinal inflammation in the FD model rats

which may explain the mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of FD.