Migraine Phytotherapeutics
Drugs that are effective in the treatment of migraine and
other vascular headaches, and which are not general analgesics,
appear to exert their activity by affecting one or more steps
in the serotonin-nitric oxide-cyclic-GMP pathway. Extracts
from Tannacetum parthenium have been shown in clinical trials
to provide effective treatment and prolphlaxis of headache.
The bioactivity of this plant has been attributed to the presence
of parthenolide, which acts by inhibiting platelet aggregation
and serotonin release. Our project was designed is to detect
other plant constuents that show similar bioactivity, The
aim was to examine the effects of specific plant extracts
from 12 Australian native plants.
Novel migraine treatments from Australian
plants?
The biodiversity of Australian plants offers considerable
potential to discover novel compounds that are pharmacologically
active. Recently, new drugs have been isolated from Australian
plants and marine specimens that are likely to generate a
new class of pharmaceutical agents for treating cancer, asthma
and cardiovascular diseases. The Genomics Research Centre
predominantly undertakes studies to identify genes causing
complex diseases such as those resulting in migraine and high
blood pressure. The results from these studies have potential
to generate better diagnostics and more reliable drug targets.
By utilising the information we have obtained from genetic
studies of migraine, we are currently undertaking research
to isolate pharmacologically active agents that may have utility
in the treatment of migraine and cardiovascular disorders.
To date, we have isolated several compounds that are currently
undergoing structural elucidation in collaboration with the
Centre for Biomolecular Science and Drug Discovery. These
compounds can inhibit release of the neurotransmitter known
as serotonin, thereby causing a decrease in blood levels of
this chemical. Altered serotonin signalling has been predominantly
implicated in the migraine disorder, but may also contribute
to cardiovascular or other neurological disease states. Hence,
the major aim of this study, is to identify novel bioactive
compounds that may undergo further development to produce
new therapeutics or therapeutics for migraine.
Kelly Rogers
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