AIM: To explore the effect of moxibustion on general symptom score, serum D-xylose and plasma levels of β-endorphin (β-EP), motilin (MTL) and somatostatin (SS) in rats with spleen deficiency. METHODS: Forty specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, mild moxibustion group and ginger moxibustion group. The rats were injected with concentrated solution of rhubarb (1 mL/100 g) twice a day for 14 d to induce spleen deficiency. On day 7, rats in the mild moxibustion and ginger moxibust...