Alkaloids from the rhizomes of Ligusticum striatum exert antimigraine effects through regulating 5-HT1B receptor and c-Jun

Metabolomic profiling integrated with molecular exploring delineates the action of Ligusticum chuanxiong hort. on migraine

INTRODUCTION

Ligusticum chuanxiong hort. (Chuanxiong, CX) is a well-known traditional edible-medicinal herb, especially in brain diseases. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on the action of CX in metabolites of migraine.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

To investigate the action of the aqueous extract of CX (LCH) on nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced migraine.

METHODS

The effects and mechanisms of LCH on migraine were evaluated in NTG-induced mice and rats. Laser speckle contrast imaging was performed to detect the cerebral blood flow. Metabolomic analysis in serum and mass spectrometry imaging in brain tissue from NTG-induced rats were conducted to explore the metabolites. The techniques including RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were employed to estimate the molecular changes.

RESULTS

Totally, 1480 metabolites were identified, among which, 50 and 49 differential metabolites were identified by t-test, fold change, and VIP score for NTG vs. CON and LCH+NTG vs. NTG, respectively. Next, 13 common real difference metabolites were revealed by comparative analysis, and KEGG annotation and enrichment analysis showed that the glutathione (GSH) metabolism pathway played important roles in migraine, whereas the glutamate could be metabolized to γ-glu-cys and converted to GSH. Molecular exploring further confirmed that LCH treatment increased the expression of essential components of GSH synthetase, such as GCLC and GCLM, and elevated the expression levels of Nrf-2 and its downstream targets including HO1 and NQO1. Moreover, the mass spectrometry imaging results found that LCH treatment promoted the synthesis of GSH and the spatial distribution of glucose as well as ATP metabolites to normal levels.

CONCLUSION

To sum up, the present study firstly reveals that LCH plays a therapeutic role for migraine through glucose-glutamate-Nrf-2 axis, which might represent a promising approach in the development of advanced therapeutic strategies for migraine, and the LCH may be an effective drug or dietary supplement for relieving headache.

Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. Ameliorates Neuropathic Pain by Regulating Microglial M1 Polarization: A Study Based on Network Pharmacology

Background

In traditional Chinese medicine, Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (LCH) is used to treat neuropathic pain (NP). This study was performed to investigate the underlying pharmacological mechanisms.

Methods

The main components of the LCH were obtained from the TCMSP database. The targets of the active components were obtained using the Swiss Target Prediction database and HERB database. The NP-related genes were obtained from the CTD database and GeneCard database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING platform and Cytoscape 3.9.0 software. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID database. Interactions between the key components and hub target proteins were verified using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. In addition, microglial cell line HMC3 was induced to polarize to the M1 phenotype using 100 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to detect the expression levels of M1 markers and inflammatory factors, respectively.

Results

Seven LCH active components of LCH were identified, corresponding to 387 target genes. 2019 NP-related genes were obtained, and a total of 174 NP-related genes were identified as target genes that could be modulated by LCH. Beta-sitosterol, senkyunone, wallichilide, myricanone, and mandenol were considered as the key components of LCH in the treatment of NP. SRC, BCL2, AKT1, HIF1A and HSP90AA1 were identified as the hub target proteins. GO analysis showed that 328 biological processes, 61 cell components, and 85 molecular functions were likely modulated by the components of LCH, and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that 132 signaling pathways were likely modulated by the components of LCH. Beta-sitosterol, senkyunone, wallichilide, myricanone, and mandenol showed good binding activity with hub target proteins including SRC, BCL2, AKT1, and HSP90AA1. In addition, beta-sitosterol inhibited LPS-induced M1 polarization in HMC3 in vitro.

Conclusion

This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of LCH in the treatment of NP through multicomponent, multitarget, and multiple pathways.

Real-world observations and impacts of Chinese herbal medicine for migraine: results of a registry-based cohort study

Background: Migraine is a prevalent, recurrent condition with substantial disease burden. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been used frequently for migraine in controlled clinical settings. This study is to summarise the characteristics of patients who seek clinical care in a tertiary Chinese medicine hospital in China; to gather their preferences and values of using CHM; to explore the effect of CHM for migraine and its comorbidities in a real-world setting, and to collect first-hand expertise of clinicians' practice pattern in prescribing CHM for migraine. Methods: This registry-based cohort study was prospectively conducted at Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from December 2020 to May 2022. Adult migraine patients seeking their initial anti-migraine clinical care at the hospital were consecutively recruited and followed up for 12 weeks. Practitioners specialised in headache management prescribed individualised treatments without research interference. Standardised case report forms were employed to gather information on patients' preferences and perspective of seeking clinical care, as well as to assess participants' migraine severity, comorbidities, and quality of life, at 4-weeks intervals. Various analytical methods were utilised based on the computed data. Results: In this study, we observed 248 participants. Of these, 73 received CHM treatment for 28 days or longer. Notably, these participants exhibited a greater disease severity, compared to those treated with CHM for less than 28 days. Of the 248 participants, 83.47% of them expected CHM would effectively reduce the severity of their migraine, around 50% expected effects for migraine-associated comorbidities, while 51.61% expressing concerns about potential side effects. CHM appeared to be effective in reducing monthly migraine days and pain intensity, improving patients' quality of life, and potentially reducing comorbid anxiety, with a minimum of 28 days CHM treatment. Herbs such as gan cao, gui zhi, chuan xiong, fu ling, bai zhu, yan hu suo, etc. were frequently prescribed for migraine, based on patients' specific symptoms. Conclusion: CHM appeared to be beneficial for migraine and comorbid anxiety in real-world clinical practice when used continuously for 28 days or more. Clinical Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, identifier ChiCTR2000041003.

Fermented Wheat Germ Alleviates Depression-like Behavior in Rats with Chronic and Unpredictable Mild Stress

Depression is a chronic mental illness with devastating effects on a person's physical and mental health. Studies have reported that food fermentation with probiotics can enrich the nutritional values of food and produce functional microorganisms that can alleviate depression and anxiety. Wheat germ is an inexpensive raw material that is rich in bioactive ingredients. For example, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is reported to have antidepressant effects. Several studies concluded that Lactobacillus plantarum is a GABA-producing bacteria and can alleviate depression. Herein, fermented wheat germs (FWGs) were used to treat stress-induced depression. FWG was prepared by fermenting wheat germs with Lactobacillus plantarum. The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model was established in rats, and these rats were treated with FWG for four weeks to evaluate the effects of FWG in relieving depression. In addition, the study also analyzed the potential anti-depressive mechanism of FWG based on behavioral changes, physiological and biochemical index changes, and intestinal flora changes in depressed rats. The results demonstrated that FWG improved depression-like behaviors and increased neurotransmitter levels in the hippocampus of CUMS model rats. In addition, FWG effectively altered the gut microbiota structure and remodeled the gut microbiota in CUMS rats, restored neurotransmitter levels in depressed rats through the brain-gut axis, and restored amino acid metabolic functions. In conclusion, we suggest that FWG has antidepressant effects, and its potential mechanism may act by restoring the disordered brain-gut axis.

Exploration of phytochemicals and probing potential effects of Priva cordifolia active extract on PACAP 38 and its nociceptor in the human trigeminovascular system

Several tribal medicinal systems assert anti-migraine and common headache-remedying properties in all parts of Priva cordifolia (L.f.) Druce. Therefore, there are no clear scientific references to the validated traditional use of this plant. The present study provides a scientific basis for the ethnobotanical utility of P. cordifolia whose whole-plant extracts were evaluated against target proteins (PACAP 38 and PAC1-R) that cause migraine. Understanding the polarity-based distribution and oxidative stress scavenging ability was reported higher in ethyl acetate extracts due to the moderate distribution of secondary metabolites. Based on the preliminary analysis anti-migraine activity in the wet and dry lab experiments was compared with a commercial drug Sumatriptan. The GC-MS analysis revealed that two lead volatile compounds Bicyclo(3.2.1)oct-3-en-2-one,3,8-Dihydroxy-1-methoxy-7-(7-methoxy-1,3- and -Hexyl-2-nitrocyclohexane, present in the ethyl acetate extract showed favourable in silico anti-migraine efficiency. Notably, the ex-vivo results also showed considerable downregulation of the extract-induced mRNA expression of PACAP38. The conclusion of our study justifies that P. cordifolia has valuable plant metabolites that portray it as an efficient anti-oxidant and anti-migraine source.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03462-w.

Isoindolines and phthalides from the rhizomes of Ligusticum chuanxiong and their relaxant effects on the uterine smooth muscle

Three undescribed isoindoline alkaloids, (+)-(R)-3-butyl-3-ethoxyisoindolin-1-one, (+)-(3S,6S,7R)-3-butyl-6,7-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoindolin-1-one, and (-)-(3R,6S,7R)-3-butyl-6,7-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoindolin-1-one, along with nine known phthalides were isolated from a water decoction of the rhizomes of Ligusticum chuanxiong using chromatographic methods. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses and ECD data calculations. The relaxant effects of the isolated compounds on uterine contractions induced by oxytocin were investigated using a rat uterine smooth muscle contraction model. Furthermore, the effects of riligustilide on extracellular Ca²⁺ influx and intracellular Ca²⁺ release were assessed using high-KCl solution-induced and oxytocin-induced uterine smooth muscle contraction in a Ca²⁺-free balanced salt solution. The results showed that all the tested phthalides had inhibitory effects on oxytocin-induced uterine smooth muscle contraction. Riligustilide, a phthalide dimer, was the most active. Further examinations indicated that riligustilide reduced uterine smooth muscle contraction by inhibiting extracellular Ca²⁺ influx and intracellular Ca²⁺ release.

Study on the Chemical Constituents and Anti-Migraine Activity of Supercritical CO2 Extracts of Zanthoxylum schinifolium

Background:Zanthoxylum schinifolium is a common herbal medicine in Southwest China. It is also a condiment commonly used in many families. In Chinese folk medicine, Z. schinifolium is considered to have the effect of relieving migraine, but there is no modern evidence on its anti-migraine mechanism.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical constituents of the supercritical carbon dioxide extracts of Z. schinifolium (CO₂-ZSE) and its effects on migraine animals.

Materials and Methods: Supercritical CO₂ extraction technology was applied to extract the dried fruit of Z. schinifolium, and the chemical components were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Two migraine animal models were established by subcutaneous injection of nitroglycerin (NTG) and reserpine, respectively, to further evaluate the therapeutic effect of CO₂-ZSE and explore its mechanism. On the basis of the experimental results, the therapeutic effects of linalool in different dosages and different ways of administration on NTG-induced migraine rats have been further investigated.

Results: About 125 peaks were detected in CO₂-ZSE, and the relative content of linalool was 74.16%. CO₂-ZSE decreased the number of head-scratching significantly and the levels of serum nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65, and inhibitor of kappa B alpha (IκBα), and increased the level of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Linalool has the potential to reduce the frequency of scratching the head and the expressions of NO, ET-1, and CGRP in NTG-induced migraine rats.

Conclusion: CO₂-ZSE has a definite therapeutic effect on migraine by affecting the expression of vasomotor factors and the inflammatory pathway. Linalool has been proven to be the main effective substance against migraine. These findings provide scientific basis for the development of effective and simple migraine therapy.

Role of herbal medicine for prevention and treatment of migraine

Migraine is a disabling neurovascular disease with unilateral or bilateral pulsatile headache, which intensively affects human health and quality of life due to high morbidity worldwide. Migraine is commonly accompanied by abnormal pain sensitization, neuroinflammatory response, and vasomotor dysfunction. Owing to the management dilemmas of migraine, there is an urgent need to develop effective and low-cost therapies. In recent years, herbal medicines as a promising strategy with analgesic activity and minor side effect, have been proposed for the prevention and treatment of migraine. Considering the lack of a review integrating experimental studies regarding the herbal treatment of migraine, this review systematically summarizes the important potential applications of herbal medicines in ameliorating migraine via multiple therapeutic targets and pathways, as well as provides a reference for further development of novel antimigraine drugs.

Network Pharmacology and Metabolomics Studies on Antimigraine Mechanisms of Da Chuan Xiong Fang (DCXF)

Background

Da Chuan Xiong Fang (DCXF) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula used to treat migraines. Previously, we uncovered partial mechanisms involved in the therapeutic actions of DCXF on migraines.

Methods

In this study, we further elucidated its antimigraine mechanisms in vivo by using an integrated strategy coupling with network pharmacology and metabolomics techniques.

Results

Network pharmacology identified 33 genes linked with both migraine and DCXF, most of which were 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors, dopamine, and peptide receptors. The results of GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that DCXF significantly regulated tyrosine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, dopamine metabolic process, glucose transmembrane transport, lipid metabolism, and fatty acid transport. The results of metabolomics analysis found that the metabolism of tryptophan and tyrosine in the brain tissue and energy and lipid metabolism of rats tended towards normal and reached normal levels after administering DCXF. The metabolomics and network pharmacology approaches demonstrated similar antimigraine effects of DCXF on endogenous neurotransmitters and overall trends in serum and brain tissue. Using both approaches, 62 hub genes were identified from the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DCXF and gene-metabolite interaction network, with hub genes and different metabolites in serum and brain tissue. The hub genes of DCXF, which were mostly linked with inflammation, might affect mainly neurotransmitters in serum and brain tissue metabolisms.

Conclusion

Network pharmacology and metabolomics study may help identify hub genes, metabolites, and possible pathways of disease and treatment. Additionally, two parts of the results were integrated to confirm each other. Their combination may help elucidate the relationship between hub genes and metabolites and provide the further understanding of TCM mechanisms.

Total alkaloids from the rhizomes of Ligusticum striatum: a review of chemical analysis and pharmacological activities

Rhizome Chuanxiong (RCX), the dried rhizomes of Ligusticum striatum DC., is a geoauthentic TCM herb distributed in Sichuan province of China that possesses efficacy in promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis and alleviating pain. Rhizome Chuanxiong total alkaloids (RCXTAs) are one of the major characteristic constituents of RCX with the effects of antimigraine, neuroprotective, cardioprotective and other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Over the past years, rapid development of technology has advanced some aspects of RCXTAs. The aim of this review is to illustrate the recent advances in the chemical analysis and biological activities of RCXTAs, and to highlight new challenges.

Three new compounds from the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong and their anti-inflammation activities

Phytochemical investigation of the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort led to the isolation and identification of three new compounds, chuanxiongoside A, (2E,4E)-8-(6-O-inositolyl)-8-oxo-2,7-dimethyl-octadienoic acid (2), chuanxiongoside C (3). The structures of these compounds were unambiguously established by HR-ESI-MS, UV, IR, CD, NMR spectral data and comparison to reported data. All the isolated compounds (1-3) were investigated for their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. All compounds showed excellent inhibition of NO production stronger than curcumin. [Formula: see text].

Ligusticum chuanxiong exerts neuroprotection by promoting adult neurogenesis and inhibiting inflammation in the hippocampus of ME cerebral ischemia rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cerebral ischemia, also known as stroke, can stimulate the proliferation and migration of endogenous neural stem cells (NSC_S) in subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle and subgranularzone of the dentate gyrus in the adult hippocampus as a defense response to damage. However, the proliferation of endogenous NSC_S is insufficient for central nervous system repair. Neurogenesis and anti-neuroinflammation are two important aspects for neuroprotection. Rhizome Ligusticum chuanxiong (LC), the dried rhizomes of Ligusticum striatum DC., has been widely used to treat stroke for over hundreds of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

PURPOSE

of the study: Previous reports on pharmacological mechanism of LC mainly focus on the cerebral blood flow and thrombolysis. We aim to explore whether LC provides neuroprotective effect by increasing neurogenesis and inhibiting the IL-1β, TNF-α and expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

LC extract was delivered to microsphere-embolized (ME) cerebral ischemia Wister rats to examine its neuroprotection. Body weight, neurological scores, hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE), TUNEL assay were conducted for neurological damage. Neurogenesis was evaluated by assessing the expression of Doublecortin (DCX) and neurogenic differentiation1 (NeuroD1) through immunofluorescence staining. Western blot performed to measure the protein levels of growth associated protein-43(GAP-43), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). IL-1β and TNF-α was detected by Elisa.

RESULTS

LC alleviated pathomorphological change and apoptosis of neurons in the hippocampus caused by ME surgery. Furthermore, LC significantly increased the DCX in the DG of adult rat hippocampus at 14 days after surgery. A significant upregulation of GAP-43 compared to the ME after LC was administered. Besides, LC decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, TNF-α) and protein level of GFAP.

CONCLUSION

The finding suggested that LC had the ability to protect neurons by promoting the endogenous proliferation of neuroblast and production of neural differentiation factor in rats after ischemia injury. Meanwhile, LC can anti-neuroinflammation, which is important for the treatment of neuron injury. Accordingly, LC perhaps a promising medicine for neuron damage therapy after cerebral ischemia.

Tibetan medicine Ru-yi-Zhen-bao Pills exhibits anti-migraine effect through mediating PAG anti-nociceptive channel

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Migraine is a disabling neurovascular disorder, which increases risk of cardiovascular events and is a social burden worldwide. The present first-line anti-migraine medications can cause overwhelming side-effects, of which one includes the onset of cardiovascular disease. As one of the marketed Tibetan drugs, Ru-yi-Zhen-bao Pills (RYZBP) have been clinically used to treat cardiovascular disorders and as anti-migraine medication. However, there is currently no research exploring the anti-migraine actions of RYZBP.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The current research was designed to assess the anti-migraine roles of RYZBP and explore the underlying mechanisms in a nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced migraine rat model trial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

120 rats were randomly divided into the following six groups of 20 rats each: normal control group, model control group, positive control group, and RYZBP high/medium/low-dose groups (Ru-yi-Zhen-bao Pills; TH 1.00 g/kg, TM 0.50 g/kg and TL 0.25 g/kg). All rats were administered intragastrically for 7 consecutive days, which were subcutaneously injected with the NTG (10 mg/kg) after the last gavage (except in the normal control group). 3min after NTG treatment, 30 rats (5 rats from each group) were anesthetized and devoted to electroencephalogram(EEG) testing, which was used to evaluate the analgesic effect of RYZBP. One hour after NTG treatment, the rest of the 90 rats (15 rats from each group) were anesthetized and midbrain tissue sample was dissected. The dissection was then washed with physiological saline and collected. The histopathological changes in the periaqueductal gray(PAG) of 5 tissue samples were determined by aematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, as well as an estimation of substance P (SP) and neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) expression through immunohistochemically staining(IHC). Another 5 midbrain preparations were carried out to evaluate calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), proenkephalin (PENK), SP, and cholecystokinin (CCK) expressions by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The rest of the 5 brainstem tissues were then used to measure CCK, CGRP, and opioid peptide receptor (DORR) levels by western blotting(WB).

RESULTS

In the EEG test, RYZBP (TM 0.50 g / kg) treatment transformed the EEG pain-wave of the NTG-induced migraine model rats in different time period. In the mechanism assay, compared with the model control group, RYZBP pretreatment reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, fibrosis and vacuolation of neuronal cells of PAG tissue seen by HE staining. IHC experiments further showed that RYZBPTM up-regulated SP expression levels and enhanced NK1R levels in the NTG-induced migraine rats (P < 0.05). Therapeutic administration of RYZBP also increased PENK mRNA expression and DORR protein level. Both RT-qPCR and western blotting trials indicated that RYZBP treatment significantly decreased CCK and CGRP expression levels (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) in the NTG-induced migraine rats.

CONCLUSIONS

RYZBP has the potential to be an effective anti-migraine treatment through suppressing the EEG pain-wave, increasing the levels of SP, PENK, DORR and reducing expression of CCK and CGRP. Mediating the PAG anti-nociceptive channel and inhibiting central sensitization were the two potential mechanisms, which offers further evidence for clinical therapy.