| Summary: | Background and purpose: During recent years, nitric oxide (NO) has been considered as a molecule involved in migraine headaches. This free radical involves in initiation of migraine headaches via NO/cGMP signaling pathway and vascular relaxation specially big intracranial arteries. Therefore, we studied the effects of aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare and Melilotus officinalis prescribed in migraine treatment in traditional & modern medicine, on NO level in cultured endothelial cells.Materials and Methods: Each crude herb (25g) was mixed with 200 ml distilled water. End extract obtained after filtering and drying. Endothelial cells propagated in DMEM medium containing 10% FCS and 1-2% penicillin-streptomycin. The nitrite concentration was measured as an indicator of nitric oxide production according to the Griess reaction and with ELISA in 540 nm.Results: Concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 g/ml of Origanum vulgare, reduced NO levels compared with control to 13.1 % (p<0.05), 25.8% (p<0.01) and 33.9% (p<0.001) respectively. However, despite our expectation melilotus officinalis increased NO level. The concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 g/ml of the herb, increased NO levels to 12.7 (p<0.05), 36.5% (p<0.001) & 72.9% (p<0.001) respectively.Conclusion: We concluded that aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare probably decreases migraine headaches by reducing NO and aqueous extract of Melilotus officinalis does not act through this mechanism.
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