To observe the effects of moxa smoke on the olfactory bulb morphology and the expression of glutamate acid (Glu),gamma-aminobutyric acid (GaBa) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the olfactory bulb of aging SAMP8 mice,in order to explore the possible pathway of moxa smoke effect.Methods:A total of 48 six-month-old male SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups:a moxa smoke group,a model group,a dysosmia group and a dysosmia model treated with moxa smoke group.12 SAMR1 mice were used as control group.3-methylindole (3-MI) was injected intraperitoneally to produce an olfactory dysfunction model.The moxa smoke group and dysosmia model treated with moxa smoke group inhaled moxa smoke for 30 min every day.Other groups inhaled normal air.After 6 weeks' intervention,the morphology of olfactory bulb was observed by HE staining,and the contents of Glu,GaBa and AChE in olfactory bulb were tested by ELISA.Results:There was no significant difference in olfactory bulb structure among the 5 groups.The density of granular cells in the inner plexus layer of the moxa smoke group was slightly higher than that of the model group,the dysosmia group and the dysosmia treated with moxa smoke group.Contents of Glu and AChE in moxa smoke group were significantly lower than those in model group (P<0.01,P<0.05),and its AChE content was lower than that in the dysosmia group (P<0.05).The content of Glu in dysosmia treated with moxa smoke group was between the model group and the moxa smoke group,and there was significant difference among the 3 groups (P<0.05).Conclusion:With certain concentration,moxa smoke intervention can benignly regulate the content of neurotransmitters in the olfactory bulb.Through the neural projection of the olfactory pathway,the expression of neurotransmitters in the brain can be interfered and the oxidative stress could be improved.