Objective: By observing the effects of Toutongning capsule on the expression of c-fos and c-jun in periaqueductalgrey (PAG) and thalamencephalon in rats with migraine to discuss the therapeutic mechanism of Toutongning capsule. Method: The SD rats were evenly divided into 6 groups:normal group

model group

Flunarizine(1.04 mg ·kg-1)intervention group

high-dose

mid-dose and low-dose Toutongning capsule groups(760

380

190 mg ·kg-1).Migraine model in rats was established by NTG subcutaneous injection.After NTG subcutaneous injection the specimen at 4 hours and 6 hours was obtained.The expression of c-fos and c-jun were detected by immunohistochemistry. Result: The expression of c-fos and c-jun in PAG and thalamencephalon were increased in the model group compared with that in the normal group (all P<0.01).At 4 hours after NTG subcutaneous injection

there was much more expression of c-fos and c-jun compared with those at 6 hours after NTG subcutaneous injection.The expressions of c-fos and c-jun in PAG and thalamencephalon were decreased in the high-dose Toutongning capsule intervention group

mid-dose Toutongning capsule intervention group and Flunarizine intervention group compared with those in low-dose Toutongning capsule group and in the model group (all P<0.01).There was no significant difference between model group and low dose intervention group. Conclusion: By reducing the expression of c-fos and c-jun and restrainning the transmission of pain information in PAG and thalamencephalon

Toutongning capsule could treat migraine.And the effect of high-dose Toutongning capsule and mid-dose Toutongning capsule were much better.