Costunolide improved dextran sulfate sodium-induced acute ulcerative colitis in mice through NF-κB, STAT1/3, and Akt signaling pathways.

Costunolide (CTL) is the major sesquiterpene lactone from Radix Aucklandiae, which is widely used on the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. However, the therapeutic effect of costunolide in ulcerative colitis (UC) is still unknown. Herein, we sought to evaluate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of costunolide on UC. ICR mice were intraperitoneally administered with costunolide (10 mg/kg) for 10 days. Beginning on the 4th day of drug administration, acute colitis was induced by feeding 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for additional 7 days. Costunolide markedly attenuated DSS-induced body weight loss, colonic shortening, elevation in disease activity index, and pathological damage of colon, and decreased the number of CD4+ T cells in colon tissues. Furthermore, costunolide significantly inhibited myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and nitric oxide (NO) level in colon tissues in DSS-exposed mice. Meanwhile, costunolide also suppressed DSS-induced expression of induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in both mRNA and protein levels. Mechanistically, costunolide repressed the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) p65 and degradation of inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB), as well as the excessive activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 1/3 (STAT1/3) and serine/threonine protein kinase Akt (Akt) in colon tissues in DSS-challenged mice. These findings successfully demonstrated that costunolide ameliorated DSS-induced murine acute colitis by suppressing inflammation through inactivation of NF-κB, STAT1/3, and Akt pathways. These results also suggested that costunolide may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of acute UC.

High fatty acid productivity from Scenedesmus obliquus in heterotrophic cultivation with glucose and soybean processing wastewater via nitrogen and phosphorus regulation.

In this study, the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus supply on biodiesel production from Scenedesmus obliquus with glucose as the carbon source were investigated. It was found that sufficient phosphorus could further improve biodiesel production under nitrogen starvation. S. obliquus was cultivated in soybean processing wastewater. The removal efficiencies of carbon oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) after 8-day cultivation were 72%, 95%, and 54%, respectively. Moreover, the fatty acid productivity after eight-day cultivation reached as high as 99.3 mg·L-1·d-1, which was 1.15 times higher than the highest efficiency using a glucose culture. This result was due to two naturally-formed stages occurring with sufficient phosphorus: nitrogen sufficiency stage for biomass and nitrogen starvation stage for lipid accumulation. It verified the conclusion of the roles of nitrogen and phosphorus obtained in the glucose culture and provided an economic and environmentally friendly choice for biodiesel production with efficient soybean wastewater treatment.

Total flavonoids from sea buckthorn ameliorates lipopolysaccharide/cigarette smoke-induced airway inflammation.

The total flavonoids from sea buckthorn (TFSB) exhibit a potent anti-inflammatory activity; however, the effect of TFSB on respiratory inflammatory disease is not fully known. The present study evaluated the potential of TFSB to prevent airway inflammation and the underlying mechanism. The results showed that TFSB remarkably inhibited lipopolysaccharide/cigarette smoke extract (LPS/CSE)-induced expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, CXCL1, and MUC5AC at both mRNA and protein levels in HBE16 bronchial epithelial cells. TFSB also decreased the production of PGE2 through inhibition the expression of COX2 in LPS/CSE-stimulated HBE16 cells. Furthermore, bronchoalveolar fluid and histological analyses revealed that LPS/cigarette smoke exposure-induced elevated cell numbers of neutrophils and macrophages in bronchoalveolar fluid, inflammatory cell infiltration, and airway remodeling were remarkably attenuated by TFSB in mice. Immunohistochemical results also confirmed that TFSB decreased the expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, COX2, CXCL1, and MUC5AC in LPS/CS-exposed mice. Mechanistically, TFSB blocked LPS/CSE-induced activation of ERK, Akt, and PKCα. Molecular docking further confirmed that the main components in TFSB including quercetin and isorhamnetin showed potent binding affinities to MAPK1 and PIK3CG, two upstream kinases of ERK and Akt, respectively. In summary, TFSB exerts a potent protective effect against LPS/CS-induced airway inflammation through inhibition of ERK, PI3K/Akt, and PKCα pathways, suggesting that TFSB may be a novel therapeutic agent for respiratory diseases.

Pseudolaric acid B exhibits anti-cancer activity on human hepatocellular carcinoma through inhibition of multiple carcinogenic signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND: Pseudolaric acid B (PAB), a diterpene acid isolated from the root bark of Pseudolarix kaempferi, exhibits a potent anti-cancer activity in a variety of tumor cells. PURPOSE: The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-cancer effects of PAB on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines in vitro, and to explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The anti-proliferative activity of PAB on HCC cells were assessed via sulforhodamine B staining, colony formation, cell cycle analysis, respectively. Apoptosis was detected using Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining and diamidino-phenyl-indole staining, respectively. Protein expression regulated by PAB treatment was tested by western blotting. RESULTS: The present results showed that PAB significantly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2, SK-Hep-1, and Huh-7 HCC cell lines in vitro with IC50 values of 1.58, 1.90, and 2.06 µM, respectively. Furthermore, PAB treatment repressed the colony formation in HepG2, SK-Hep-1, and Huh-7 HCC cell lines. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that PAB caused an obvious cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and induced apoptosis with the induction of p21, Bax, cleaved-caspase-3, and cleaved-PARP in human HepG2 and SK-Hep-1 cells. Mechanistically, PAB treatment down-regulated the phosphorylation of STAT3, ERK1/2, and Akt. Moreover, abnormal GSK-3ß/ß-catenin signaling in HepG2 cells was remarkably suppressed by PAB treatment. Finally, proliferation markers including cyclin D1 and c-Myc, and anti-apoptosis proteins such as Bcl-2 and survivin were also down-regulated by PAB treatment in HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our results suggest that PAB exerts anti-cancer activity in HCC cells through inhibition of STAT3, ERK1/2, Akt, and GSK-3ß/ß-catenin carcinogenic signaling pathways, and may be used as a phytomedicine in the treatment of HCC.

A new abietane diterpenoid glycoside from ajuga ovalifolia var. calantha.

A new abietane diterpenoid glycoside, ajugaside B (1), along with three known compounds (2-4), were isolated from the whole plants of Ajuga ovalifolia var. calantha. The structure of the new compound (1) was elucidated by means of spectroscopic analyses (HRESIMS, IR, NMR and ECD). All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their antitumor activities against MGC803, MCF-7, A549, HT29 and HepG2 cell lines. Compounds 3-4 showed moderate cytotoxicity against all tested cell lines with IC50 values of 1.8-7.3 µM.

The total alkaloids from Coptis chinensis Franch improve cognitive deficits in type 2 diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Coptis chinensis Franch is extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes and dementia. Alkaloids are the main active ingredients of C. chinensis. PURPOSE: This study was designed to probe the effects and possible mechanisms of the total alkaloids from C. chinensis (TAC) on cognitive deficits in type 2 diabetic rats. METHODS: Cognitive deficits were induced in rats by streptozotocin and high glucose/high fat diet. After treatment with TAC (80, 120, and 180 mg/kg) for 24 weeks, the behavioral parameters of each rat were assessed by Morris water maze and Y-maze tests. The indexes of glucose and lipid metabolism, pathological changes of brain tissue, and the phosphorylation levels of insulin signaling related proteins were also evaluated. RESULTS: The type 2 diabetic rats showed significantly elevated levels of fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and glycosylated serum protein, as well as apolipoprotein B, free fatty acid, triglyceride and total cholesterol but decreased the content of apolipoprotein A1, and TAC treatment dose-dependently reversed these abnormal changes. Furthermore, the behavioral results showed that TAC alleviated the cognitive deficits in type 2 diabetic rats. Moreover, immunohistochemical and histopathologic examinations indicated that the diabetic rats showed significant Aß deposition, and neuronal damage and loss, which can be reversed by TAC treatment. The western blot results showed that TAC treatment markedly increased the phosphorylation of IRS, PI3K, and Akt, and inhibited the overactivation of GSK3ß in the brain of type 2 diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: These findings conclude that TAC prevents diabetic cognitive deficits, most likely by ameliorating the disorder of glucose and lipid metabolism, attenuating Aß deposition, and enhancing insulin signaling.

Astragalus polysaccharides exerts anti-infective activity by inducing human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide LL-37 in respiratory epithelial cells.

Astragalus polysaccharides (APS), one of the major active components in Astragalus membranaceus, is an effective immunomodulator used in the treatment of immunological diseases in China. However, the anti-infective action and mechanism of APS is not fully known. In the present study, we found that APS induced the expression of human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide LL-37, a key host anti-infective molecule, in both mRNA and protein levels in respiratory epithelial cells HBE16 and A549. Furthermore, the lysate and supernatant from APS-treated HBE16 cells both exhibited an obvious antibacterial action, which was partially neutralizated by LL-37 monoclonal antibody. In addition, APS also significantly elevated the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK and caused the degradation of IκBα. Specific inhibitors of p38 MAPK, JNK, or NF-κB obviously abolished APS-induced LL-37 synthesis and antibacterial activity, respectively. Taken together, our results confirmed the enhancement of APS on LL-37 induction and antibacterial action in respiratory epithelial cells, which may be attributed to activation of p38 MAPK/JNK and NF-κB pathways. Furthermore, these results also supported the clinical application of APS in the treatment of infectious diseases.

Effects of nitrogen and phosphorous stress on the formation of high value LC-PUFAs in Porphyridium cruentum.

This study systematically examined the effect of nitrogen and phosphorous stress on the formation of linoleic acid (LA), arachidonic acid (ARA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in Porphyridium cruentum gy-h56. P. cruentum was cultivated in six different media conferring different conditions of nitrogen (N) sufficiency/deprivation and phosphorous (P) sufficiency/limitation/deprivation. Over a 16-day cultivation process, the dry-weight content, proportion of total fatty acids (TFAs), and the concentration in the medium of linoleic acid (LA) were greatly improved by a maximum of 2.5-, 1.6-, and 1.1-fold, respectively, under conditions of N or P deprivation compared with N and P sufficiency. In contrast, levels of EPA or ARA were not enhanced under N or P stress conditions. Additionally, the results showed that N deprivation weakened the impact of P deficiency on the content and proportions of LA and EPA, while P deprivation enhanced the impact of N starvation on the content and proportions of LA and EPA. The conditions of N sufficiency and P deprivation (N+P-) were the optimal conditions for the production of LA, while the optimal conditions for EPA, ARA, and TFAs production were N sufficiency and P limitation (N+P-lim). This study suggests the potential application of combining N removal from saline wastewater with the production of LA, ARA, EPA, and biodiesel.

Bioactive steroidal alkaloids from the fruits of Solanum nigrum.

The investigation of the fruits of Solanum nigrum led to the isolation of four previously undescribed steroidal alkaloids, named solanine A, 7α-OH khasianine, 7α-OH solamargine and 7α-OH solasonine, together with six known ones. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated unambiguously by spectroscopic data analyses and chemical methods. Solanine A represents an unusual steroidal alkaloid with an unprecedented 6/5/6/5/5/6 hexacyclic ring system, and its structure was confirmed by X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis. Compounds 2-4 were rare naturally occurring steroidal alkaloid glycosides bearing a hydroxyl group at C-7 position. Solanine A showed the most potent inhibitory activity against the LPS-induced NO production in murine RAW264.7 macrophages with an IC50 value of 3.85 ± 0.71 µM and significant cytotoxicity against MGC803, HepG2 and SW480 cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 6.00 ± 0.52 µM, 9.25 ± 0.49 µM and 6.23 ± 0.26 µM, respectively.

Ajudecumin A from Ajuga ovalifolia var. calantha exhibits anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW264.7 murine macrophages and animal models of acute inflammation.

CONTEXT: Ajuga ovalifolia Bur. et Franch. var. calantha (Diels) C. Y. Wu et C. Chen (Labiatae), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used to treat several inflammatory diseases. OBJECTIVE: To assess the anti-inflammatory activity of ajudecumin A isolated from Ajuga ovalifolia var. calantha, and its possible mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.5 µg/mL)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages were used to assess the anti-inflammatory activity of ajudecumin A (1-40 µM) in vitro. Nitric oxide levels were evaluated by Griess reagent. The mRNA levels of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 were determined using qRT-PCR. Phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, p38 MAPK and IκBα were detected by western Blot. To further assess the anti-inflammatory of ajudecumin A in vivo, mice were oral treated with ajudecumin A (10 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (0.25 mg/kg, positive control) for 5 days before administration of carrageenan or xylene. Paw and ear edema were then measured, respectively. RESULTS: Ajudecumin A (10-40 µM) decreased LPS-induced nitric oxide production with an IC50 value of 16.19 µM. Ajudecumin A (20 and 40 µM) also attenuated cell spreading and formation of pseudopodia-like structures, and decreased the mRNA levels of iNOS (55.23-67.04%, p < 0.001), COX-2 (57.58-70.25%, p < 0.001), TNF-α (53.75-58.94%, p < 0.01-0.001), IL-1ß (79.41-87.85%, p < 0.001) and IL-6 (54.26-80.52%, p < 0.01-0.001) in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, ajudecumin A suppressed LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK, p38 MAPK, and IκBα, as well as IκBα degradation (p < 0.05-0.001). Finally, ajudecumin A (10 mg/kg) attenuated carrageenan- and xylene-induced inflammation in mice by about 28 and 24%, respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Ajudecumin A exhibited a potent anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo through inhibition on NF-κB and ERK/p38 MAPK pathways, suggesting that ajudecumin A may be potentially developed as a lead compound in anti-inflammatory drug discovery.

The anti-arthritic activity of total glycosides from Pterocephalus hookeri, a traditional Tibetan herbal medicine.

CONTEXT: Pterocephalus hookeri (C. B. Clarke) Hock., a traditional Tibetan herbal medicine rich in glycosides, has been used to treat several diseases including rheumatoid arthritis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of total glycosides from P. hookeri, and its possible mechanisms of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anti-arthritic activity of total glycosides from P. hookeri (oral administration for 30 days at 14-56 mg/kg) was evaluated using paw swelling, arthritis scores and histopathological measurement in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) Sprague-Dawley rats. The NF-κB p65 expression in synovial tissues, and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels was measured in AA rats, respectively. Further assessment of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of these glycosides were carried out using inflammation and hyperalgesia models induced by xylene, carrageenan, agar and acetic acid, respectively. RESULTS: Total glycosides (56 mg/kg) decreased the paw swelling (38.0%, p < 0.01), arthritis scores (25.3%, p < 0.01) and synovial inflammation in AA rats. The glycosides significantly (p < 0.05-0.01) attenuated the inflammation induced by xylene, carrageenan, acetic acid and agar, increased the pain threshold in acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and mechanical stimuli-induced hyperalgia in AA rats. The glycosides (14, 28, 56 mg/kg) also suppressed the NF-κB p65 expression (33.1-78.2%, p < 0.05-0.01), reduced MDA (21.3-35.9%, p < 0.01) and NO (20.3-32.4%, p < 0.05-0.01) levels, respectively, enhanced the SOD activity (7.8%, p < 0.05) at 56 mg/kg in AA rats. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our findings confirmed the anti-arthritic property of the total glycosides from P. hookeri, which may be attributed to its inhibition on NF-κB signalling and oxidative stress.

Dietary flavonoid luteolin attenuates uropathogenic Escherichia. Coli invasion of the urinary bladder.

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), the primary uropathogen, adhere to and invade bladder epithelial cells (BECs) to establish a successful urinary tract infection (UTI). Emerging antibiotic resistance requires novel nonantibiotic strategies. Our previous study indicated that luteolin attenuated adhesive and invasive abilities as well as cytotoxicity of UPEC on T24 BECs through down-regulating UPEC virulence factors. The aims of this study were to investigate the possible function of the flavonoid luteolin and the mechanisms by which luteolin functions in UPEC-induced bladder infection. Firstly, obvious reduction of UPEC invasion but not adhesion were observed in luteolin-pretreated 5637 and T24 BECs sa well as mice bladder via colony counting. The luteolin-mediated suppression of UPEC invasion was linked to elevated levels of intracellular cAMP induced by inhibiting the activity of cAMP-phosphodiesterases (cAMP-PDEs), which resulting activation of protein kinase A, thereby negatively regulating Rac1-GTPase-mediated actin polymerization. Furthermore, p38 MAPK was primarily and ERK1/2 was partially involved in luteolin-mediated suppression of UPEC invasion and actin polymerization, as confirmed with chemical activators of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2. These data suggest that luteolin can protect bladder epithelial cells against UPEC invasion. Therefore, luteolin or luteolin-rich products as dietary supplement may be beneficial to control the UPEC-related bladder infections, and cAMP-PDEs may be a therapy target for UTIs treatment. © 2016 BioFactors, 42(6):674-685, 2016.

Role of sufficient phosphorus in biodiesel production from diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

In order to study the role of sufficient phosphorus (P) in biodiesel production by microalgae, Phaeodactylum tricornutum were cultivated in six different media treatments with combination of nitrogen (N) sufficiency/deprivation and phosphorus sufficiency/limitation/deprivation. Profiles of N and P, biomass, and fatty acids (FAs) content and compositions were measured during a 7-day cultivation period. The results showed that the FA content in microalgae biomass was promoted by P deprivation. However, statistical analysis showed that FA productivity had no significant difference (p = 0.63, >0.05) under the treatments of N deprivation with P sufficiency (N-P) and N deprivation with P deprivation (N-P-), indicating P sufficiency in N deprivation medium has little effect on increasing biodiesel productivity from P. triornutum. It was also found that the P absorption in N-P medium was 1.41 times higher than that in N sufficiency and P sufficiency (NP) medium. N deprivation with P limitation (N-P-l) was the optimal treatment for producing biodiesel from P. triornutum because of both the highest FA productivity and good biodiesel quality.

Biosynthesis of high yield fatty acids from Chlorella vulgaris NIES-227 under nitrogen starvation stress during heterotrophic cultivation.

In this study the heterotrophic cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris NIES-227 fed with glucose was investigated systematically using six media types; combinations of nitrogen repletion/depletion and phosphorus repletion/limitation/depletion. It was found that a high yield of fatty acids (0.88 of fed glucose-COD) and a high content of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) (89% of dry weight) were obtained under nitrogen starved conditions. To our knowledge it is the first report on such high COD conversion yield and FAME content in microalgae. The dominant fatty acid (>50%) was methyl oleate (C18:1), a desirable component for biodiesel synthesis. FAME content under nitrogen starved conditions was significantly higher than under nitrogen sufficient conditions, while phosphorus had no significant influence, indicating that nitrogen starvation was the real "fatty acids trigger" in heterotrophic cultivation. These findings could simplify the downstream extraction process, such as the extrusion of oil from soybeans, and could reduce operating costs by improving the fatty acid yield from waste COD.

Effect of phosphorus on biodiesel production from Scenedesmus obliquus under nitrogen-deficiency stress.

In order to study the effect of phosphorus on biodiesel production from Scenedesmus obliquus especially under nitrogen deficiency conditions, six types of media with combinations of nitrogen repletion/depletion and phosphorus repletion/limitation/depletion were investigated in this study. It was found that nitrogen starvation compared to nitrogen repletion enhanced biodiesel productivity. Moreover, biodiesel productivity was further strengthened by varying the supply level of phosphorus from depletion, limitation, through to repletion. The maximum FAMEs productivity of 24.2 mg/L/day was obtained in nitrogen depletion with phosphorus repletion, which was two times higher than that in nutrient complete medium. More phosphorus was accumulated in cells under the nitrogen starvation with sufficient phosphorus condition, but no polyphosphate was formed. This study indicated that nitrogen starvation plus sufficient P supply might be the real "lipid trigger". Furthermore, results of the current study suggest a potential application for utilizing microalgae to combine phosphorus removal from wastewater with biodiesel production.

A traditional Chinese medicine JiuHuangLian (Rhizoma coptidis steamed with rice wine) reduces oxidative stress injury in type 2 diabetic rats.

Oxidative stress and oxidative stress mediated ß-cell injury are the initial factors of diabetes pathogenesis. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that JiuHuangLian (JHL, Rhizoma Coptidis steamed with rice wine) is an effective agent on diabetes treatment. In present study, we evaluated the antioxidant and lightening ß-cell injury of JHL in streptozotocin and a high-glucose/high-fat diet-induced diabetic rats. After 30 days treatment with JHL, glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance of diabetic rats were improved significantly. JHL also could decrease fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels, increase insulin level and insulin sensitivity index. Moreover, lipid metabolism disorder also adjusted, which manifested as decreased total cholesterol, total glyceride and free fatty acid levels. Meanwhile, a significant increase in superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione content were observed in JHL treated rats, oxidative stress markers such as reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide also were decreased by JHL treatment. Furthermore, low expression of caspase-3 were shown in pancreatic immunohistochemistry of JHL treated rats, which exhibited anti-apoptosis effect of ß-cell. The histological evidence suggests that JHL effectively rescues the islet atrophied from oxidative stress-mediated ß-cell damage. These findings demonstrate the ß-cell functional protective nature of JHL by attenuating oxidative stress and inhibiting ß-cell damage.

Analgesic effect and mechanism of the three TCM-herbal drug-combination Tou Feng Yu pill on treatment of migraine.

It is well known that pain is one of the most important characteristics of migraine. Therefore, it is important and interesting to investigate the analgesic effect and mechanism of drugs which are used to treat migraine. Tou Feng Yu pill (TFY) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, consisting of the three Chinese herbal drugs Radix Angelicae dahuricae (Baizhi), Rhizome Ligustici (Chuanxiong) and Folium Camelliae sinensis (green tea) for the treatment of migraine. In this study, we found that TFY could significantly reduce the writhing times induced by acetic acid and licking foot response induced by formalin, and extend the writhing latent period. But the analgesic effect was not observed at hot-plate test. Meanwhile, experimental migrainous model induced by nitroglycerin was used to investigate the therapeutic effect of TFY. Compared with the control group, the levels of plasma calcitonin gene related to peptide (CGRP), serum nitric oxide (NO) and contents of brain dopamine (DA) in TFY administration groups were significantly decreased, and the levels of plasma endothelin (ET) and contents of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) were remarkably increased, also the ratio of ET/NO was clearly corrected. Furthermore, the improving effect of behavior abnormality was observed in TFY administration rats. Meanwhile, isolated vascular ring test indicated that TFY had an significant effect on vasomotion, and antagonize vasospasm; moreover TFY also could increase cerebral blood flow (CBF) and reduce cerebrovascular resistance index (RI) in normal rabbits, which verified the effect of TFY on vasomotion and abnormal hemorheology. All the results indicate that TFY has an effective therapeutical action on migraine, which may be related to three aspects as following: firstly, adjusting the level of neurotransmitters, neuropeptides and vasoactive substances, relieving neurogenic inflammation; secondly, improving vasomotion, increase cerebral blood flow, then improving hemorheology; finally, increasing pain threshold, relieving or preventing headache. These findings provide additional pharmacological information and may contribute for the further study and use of TFY as a phytomedicine.