Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2002 Aug; 22(8): 581-3.

[Clinical and experimental study on treatment of migraine with shutianning granule]

Hu ZQ, Song LG, Mei T.

Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of TCM, Jinan 250014.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the cause and pathogenesis of migraine based on TCM theory and modern researches to seek for new thinking and effective drugs in treating migraine. METHODS: Ninety patients with migraine were divided into three groups, the treated group treated with Shutianing Granule (STNG) 9 g, three times a day, the control A group treated with composite Yangjiao capsule, 5 capsules each time, three times a day and the control B group treated with flunarizine hydrochloride capsule, 5 mg, once a day. The treatment lasted for 28 days to observe the degree, lasting time and frequency of pain attack, and the headache index was calculated. Transcranial Doppler examination, serum beta evoked potential (beta-EP) and neuropeptide (NPY) determination were also performed before and after treatment. In the experimental study, effect of treatment of cerebral NPY and beta-EP were tested in SD rats with chronic pain in the treated or the control groups. RESULTS: In the treated group, the markedly effective rate was 56.67% and the total effective rate was 90.00%, significant difference was shown in comparison with those in the control B group (P < 0.05), but with no difference in comparison with those in the control A group. Cerebral beta-EP level was raised and plasma NPY level was lowered in all the three treated groups. Compared with the normal saline group, there was significant difference (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: STNG could improve the cerebrovascular function effectively, raise plasma beta-EP level, lower plasma NPY level and alleviate vascular tension in patients with migraine.