Warm Needling Moxibustion Outperforms Mild Moxibustion, Reducing KOA Symptoms and Chondrocyte Senescence Markers in Rats

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a debilitating degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage breakdown, inflammation, and pain, significantly impacting quality of life. A key pathological feature is chondrocyte senescence, where cartilage cells stop dividing and secrete pro-inflammatory and matrix-degrading factors like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13). Current treatments often focus on symptom management or surgical intervention, with limited options to directly address chondrocyte senescence or offer sustained non-pharmacological relief. This study explores moxibustion, a traditional therapy, as a potential intervention to modulate these cellular processes and alleviate KOA symptoms.