Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and underlying mechanisms of combined medicated thread moxibustion therapy plus needle picking therapy of Zhuang nationality medicine on antioxidant levels in a rat model of sciatica.METHODS: One hundred Wistar rats, of specific pathogen free level, were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group, model group,medicated thread moxibustion group, needle picking group, and combination group. Each group contained 20 rats. In the model, medicated thread moxibustion, needle picking, and combination groups,sciatica models were established through chronicconstriction injury of the sciatic nerve. After the model was established, the rats in the medicated thread moxibustion, needle picking, and combination groups were given the corresponding therapies for 21 days. The control and model groups received no treatment. Reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity changes were determined.Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH) oxidase subunit NADPH oxidases 4(NOX4) m RNA expression and the morphology of cells were observed to detect apoptosis of gamma-aminobutyric acid ergic(GABAergic) neurons.RESULTS: Compared with control group, reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels rose significantly in the model group(P < 0.01), while superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity levels were lowered(P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde decreased in the needle picking group(P < 0.05), while superoxide dismutase levels were increased(P < 0.05); reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde significantly decreased in the combination group(P < 0.01). In addition, the model group had higher NOX4 m RNA expression than that of the control group(P < 0.05), and the combination group had lower expression levels than that of the model group(P < 0.05). Apoptosis of GABAergic neurons was observed in the model group, and was attenuated after combined therapy.CONCLUSION: The medicated thread moxibustion therapy plus needle picking therapy of Zhuang nationality medicine can prevent oxidative damage in the rat model of sciatica via down-regulating NOX4 expression, improving antioxidant capacity, and in-hibiting the oxidative damage pathway of GABAergic neurons.

Key words: Chuang medicine, Zhuang thread moxibustion, Needles, Sciatica