Animal experimental study on the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration with Chinese herbal compound: species selection, modeling method and drug administration

• Rats, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, and New Zealand rabbits are the most commonly used animal models for studying Chinese herbal compound treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration. • The annulus fibrosus puncture model is the most widely used modeling method, but combined modeling approaches better mimic the disease progression. • Oral administration is the predominant route for delivering Chinese herbal compounds in animal experiments, mirroring clinical practice. • Therapeutic efficacy is typically assessed through imaging, behavioral tests, molecular biology, and histological analyses.