Objective:To investigate the effect of zhipiantong capsule for treatment of migraine and its influence on plasma 5-hydroxy tryptamine(5-HT). Method: One hundred and twenty-four patients with migraine were randomly divided into observation group and control group (n=62 each). Control group was orally received flunarizine capsules 5 mg at night daily. Observation group was orally received Zhipiantong capsules

4 capsules

tid. If patients feel unbearable pain during treatment

they were orally received ibuprofen tablets

0.1 g. The treatment course of two groups was 8 weeks. Frequencies

days

extent and associated symptoms of migraine were observed. Blood flow velocity was determined by transcranial Doppler (TCD)

and plasma 5-HT was tested. Result: The total curative effective rate of observation group (90.32%) was higher than that of control group (77.41%) with a significant difference (P<0.05). The total syndrome effective rate of observation group (91.93%) was higher than that of control group (75.81%) with a significant difference (P<0.05). After treatment

frequencies

days and extent of migraine in observation group were lower than those in control group (P<0.01). Plasma 5-HT level in observation group was higher than that in control group (P<0.01). The dosage of analgesic drugs used in observation group was less than those in control group during treatment. Blood flow velocity in middle cerebral artery(MCA)

anterior cerebral artery(ACA)

posterior cerebral artery(PCA)

intracranial segment of the vertebral artery(VA) and basilar artery (BA) in the observation group was slower than those in control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Zhipiantong capsule can decrease the mean blood flow velocity in cerebral arteries

improve migraine clinical symptoms and treat migraine effectively

the mechanism of which may be related to increasing plasma 5-HT.