Serotonin feverfew

Parthenolide inhibits serotonin release, an action that is thought to be a likely source of its effectiveness in migraine. Extracts have also been shown to reduce the production of prostaglandins (another possible mechanism) and leukotrienes. Interestingly, melatonin has been identified in feverfew, a possibly significant observation, since chronic migraines have been associated with low melatonin levels. 

Parthenolide, a constituent of feverfew, inhibits the release of certain chemicals, including the hormone serotonin, which is produced during a migraine attack, and certain inflammatory mediators, including the hormone prostaglandin, which regulates inflammation. Feverfew is used for prevention of migraines and headaches (see Chapter 30). 

Feverfew is widely consumed in England as a remedy for arthritis and migraine. Feverfew contains parthenolide, which is a member of sesquiterpene. Parthenolide inhibits the activity of prostaglandin synthetase. It also inhibits platelet aggregation and alter serotonin release (Figure 25.2). 

Feverfew is most often used as a prophylactic remedy for migraine headache. This action has been related to the serotonin hypothesis for migraine causation (see also Chapter 16 Histamine, Serotonin, the Ergot Alkaloids). In vitro, feverfew and parthenolide inhibit platelet aggregation and serotonin release from platelets. 

Feverfew 1. Antimigraine drugs, e.g. sumatriptan t risk of episodes of tachycardia and hypertension (may be dangerous) The parthenolide constituent of feverfew has been shown to inhibit the release of serotonin and prostaglandins. Sumatriptan is an SSRI Avoid concomitant use... 

Other tamarind t bioavailability of aspirin. Meadow sweet and willow bark contain salicylates leading to t effects of aspirin. Feverfew is considered to inhibit the release of serotonin from platelets... 

Perhaps the most prominent example with respect to anti-secretive effects of STLs is related to the well-known anti migraine activity of feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium, Asteraceae). The main STL from this plant is parthenolide (PAR), structure 1 in Fig. (15), and it has been shown that PAR is a potent inhibitor of serotonin (5HT)-release from thrombocytes. Although it is not finally clarified to which extent this effect is involved along with the numerous other reported activities of PAR in the clinically proven efficacy of feverfew [71, 72], it should at least contribute to the overall effect. 

The ability of feverfew extracts to inhibit release of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) from blood platelets has been suggested as mechanism of action in treatment of... 

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