Title:The Potentials of Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis for the Treatment of Migraine: Targeting CGRP in the Trigeminovascular System
Volume: 19
Issue: 7
Author(s): Cheong-Meng Chong*, Zhangfeng Zhong, Chi Teng Vong, Shengpeng Wang, Jin-Jian Lu, Hai-Jing Zhong, Huanxing Su and Yitao Wang*
Affiliation:
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao,China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao,China
Keywords:
Migraine, CGRP, trigeminovascular system, uncariae ramulus cum uncis, inflammation, nitric oxide.
Abstract: Migraine is a common chronic neurovascular disease characterized by headaches. Calcitonin
gene-related peptide (CGRP) signaling in the trigeminovascular system plays a critical role in
the development of migraine. The monoclonal antibodies against CGRP and its receptor have been
used clinically for the prevention of migraine; however, they may not be a cost-effective option for
patients with low-frequency episodic migraine. Thus, it is quite valuable to search for an alternative
strategy to downregulate CGRP signaling. Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis (UR) has a longterm
history for the treatment of cardiovascular and central nervous systems disorders in China and
Eastern Asia. Several clinical studies showed that famous herbal formulas comprising UR were
able to improve headaches in migraineurs. In addition, increasing in vivo studies further indicated
that migraine-related changes, such as CGRP increase, inflammation, nitric oxide increase, and
spontaneous behavior problems could be reduced by UR extraction and its active constituents. In
this review, we summarize the pathophysiological factors affecting abnormal CGRP release in the
trigeminovascular system during a migraine, and for the first time, analyze the effects of UR on these
factors and evaluate the potentials of UR for the treatment of migraine.
