Alleviation of nitroglycerin-induced migraine in rats: inhibition of central sensitization by optimizing Qinggan Jieyu decoction regulation of purinergic receptor P2X ligand-gated ion channel 7 and autophagy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of optimizing Qinggan Jieyu decoction on purinergic receptor P2X ligand-gated ion channel 7 (P2X7R) and autophagy in migraine model rats based on molecular biology and histopathology. METHODS: gavage for 7 d prior to NTG induction. Behavioral changes, central sensitization biomarkers, and inflammatory cytokine levels were analyzed to evaluate migraine severity. Western blot, immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time PCR, and transmission electron microscopy were employed to assess P2X7R expression and autophagy activity in trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) tissues. The P2X7R agonist 2' (3')-O-(4-Benzoylbenzoyl) adenosine-5'-triphosphate (BzATP) was further utilized to validate QGJY's regulatory effects. RESULTS: 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: QGJY alleviates migraine and inhibits central sensitization in rats, potentially by downregulating P2X7R expression, concomitantly suppressing autophagy, attenuating microglial activation, and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine release.