Tanacetum parthenium nel controllo e nel trattamento dell’emicrania

Tanacetum parthenium For control and treatment of migraine Summary Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.) is a herb traditionally used for the control of inflammatory and painful diseases. The sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide is the most represented species among the components of the plant, and the most active. In the preparations containing feverfew, parthenolide should be formulated at 0.2% concentration at least. Control and treatment of migraine are the most interesting clinical uses of feverfew. According to available studies, feverfew use is well tolerated and is an effective treatment in controlling migraine as well in treating acute migraine attacks. Among the proposed mechanisms of action, there are inhibition of synthesis and production of prostaglandins, antagonism of serotonin receptors, inhibition of histamine release and modulation of neuroinflammation. The determination of parthenolide in food supplements is carried out by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection, while measurement of plasma level requires more sensitive analysis systems (HPLC-MS/MS, GC-MS/ MS). The use of feverfew and its extracts represents a promising advancement in the field of food supplements for the control and treatment of migraine. The establishment of a rigorous standardization of extraction processes, stabilization and conservation of plant complex and the choice of an optimal formulation are key requirements for the reproducibility of the effect of these products.