Experimental Study on Analgesic Effect of Qilong Toutong Granule / 中国中医药信息杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the analgesic effect of Qilong Toutong Granule and explore its underlying mechanisms of action. Methods Kunming mice were randomly divided into blank group, Zhengtian pill group, ibuprofen group, and high-, medium- and low-dose of Qilong Toutong Granule groups. After completing the prophylactic treatment for 3 days, hot-plate test and acetic acid-induced writhing test were used to observe the pain reaction of mice. SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, Zhengtian pill group, model group, rizatriptam group, and high-, medium- and low-dose of Qilong Toutong Granule groups. After gavaged for continuous 7 days, rats were intraperitoneally injected nitroglycerin (10 mg/kg), and 4 hours later, blood samples were collected from postcava for measuring the levels of plasma CGRP and β-EP by radioimmunoassay. Subsequently, rats were perfused transcardially and the brain tissues containing the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (Sp5C) were achieved for detecting the expression of Fos protein by immunohistochemical method. Results Qilong Toutong Granule significantly raised the pain threshold, reduced the number of writhing response of mice, remarkably down-regulated the levels of plasma CGRP, up-regulated the levels of plasmaβ-EP and inhibited the expression of Fos protein in Sp5C of rats compared with the model group. Conclusion Qilong Toutong Granule has good analgesic effect and its mechanisms on relieving migraine may be through regulating the levels of neurotransmitters or neuropeptides, and inhibiting the activation of Fos pathway.