Xiongzhi Dilong decoction interferes with calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)-induced migraine in rats through the CGRP/iNOS pathway

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Xiongzhi Dilong decoction(XZDLD) and its wind medicine on calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)-induced migraine and explore the mechanism through the CGRP/inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) pathway.Methods: Rats were divided into control, model, XZDLD, XZDLD(external wind), XZDLD(internal wind),and olcegepant groups. CGRP was injected into the dura mater to induce a migraine. The frequency of head scratching, cage climbing, and facial grooming was observed. The pain threshold, the levels of CGRP,pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide(PACAP), substance P(SP), and the plasma protein extravasation(PPE) ratio were measured. The phosphorylation levels of p38, extracellular signalregulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2), and expression of iNOS were detected by western blot.Results: Compared with the model group, the three modified XZDLD groups showed reduced frequency of head scratching and cage climbing in the first 30 min(all P <.05). Facial grooming frequency was reduced in XZDLD and XZDLD(external wind) groups(P =.0003 and P =.0131, respectively). External wind medicine played a more important role in increasing mechanical pain threshold than internal wind medicine. Moreover, compared with the model group, the three modified XZDLD groups demonstrated reduced plasma levels of CGRP and PACAP(all P <.05). No difference in the SP level was observed among the six groups. XZDLD reduced PPE ratio. XZDLD and XZDLD(external wind) groups suppressed the CGRP/iNOS pathway by inhibiting the p-p38/p38 ratio and the expression of iNOS. No difference in pERK1/2/ERK1/2 ratio was detected among the six groups.Conclusion: XZDLD increases pain threshold, downregulates the expression of CGRP and PACAP, and reduces PPE ratio by inhibiting the CGRP/iNOS pathway. External wind medicine is more effective than internal one on improving facial grooming and head scratching, increasing the mechanical pain threshold, and inhibiting the expression of iNOS.

Post-infectious cough of different syndromes treated by traditional Chinese medicines:A review

The application of traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs)has a history of more than 2000 years,which have the characteristics of multi-component,multi-target,and high safety.Post-infectious cough(PIC)is a respiratory disease with high incidence.It belongs to subacute cough and accounts for as much as40%–50%.Cough is the main clinical manifestation of PIC.PIC seriously affects people’s life quality because of complex etiology,long-term course of disease,treatment difficulties and other characteristics.Western medicines are based on the principle of symptomatic treatment,so they are often difficult to control PIC fundamentally.These factors could due to that PIC is prolonged and unable to heal repeatedly.TCMs have obvious advantages in treating PIC,with accurate curative effects,less side effects and adverse reactions and are effective in improving PIC-related symptoms and indicators,enhancing patients’life quality and reducing pain.TCMs,guided by holistic concept and syndrome differentiation,advocate determine treatment on the basis of pattern types,and have remarkable clinical treatment effects.As for TCMs etiology,pathogenesis and syndrome types of PIC,TCM scholars have not yet reached a unified standard.However,most of them think that wind pathogen can cause PIC alone,or it can be combined with other evils,which might be the main mechanism of PIC.This paper discusses the advantages and limitations of TCMs in PIC treatment from etiology,pathogenesis,distribution of syndrome types and treatment of TCMs.This article focuses on the treatment methods and pharmacodynamic material basis of wind pathogen,providing ideas in treating PIC of TCMs clinically and innovative drug development.