The latest guideline about ulcerative colitis (UC) clinical practice stresses that mucosal healing

rather than anti-inflammation

is the main target in UC clinical management. Current mucosal dysfunction mainly closely relates to the endoscopic intestinal wall (mechanical barrier) injury with the imbalance between intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) regeneration and death

as well as tight junction (TJ) dysfunction. It is suggested that biological barrier (gut microbiota)

chemical barrier (mucus protein layer

MUC) and immune barrier (immune cells) all take part in the imbalance

leading to mechanical barrier injury. Lots of experimental studies reported that acupuncture and moxibustion on UC recovery by adjusting the gut microbiota

MUC and immune cells on multiple targets and pathways

which contributes to the balance of IEC regeneration and death

as well as TJ structure recovery in animals. Moreover

the validity and superiority of acupuncture and moxibustion were also demonstrated in clinic. This paper aims to review the achievements of acupuncture and moxibustion on mucosal healing and analyse the underlying mechanisms.