Abstract: 　　AIM To establish a zebrafish model of migraine for use as a tool in drug screening and evaluation for migraine. Methods The behavioral changes of zebrafish after nitroglycerin injection were detected using a behavioral monitoring system. The dopamine (DA) concentration in zebrafish brain tissue was measured by ELISA. The mRNA levels of il-1b, nos2b, c-fos, and c-jun in the brain tissue were detected by qPCR. HE staining was used to observe inflammation in the brain tissue to investigate the conditions for establishing the zebrafish migraine model. The model was then established, and Tianshu Capsules administration groups were set up. The behavioral changes and alterations in brain tissue biomarkers were observed to study the pharmacodynamic effects of Tianshu Capsules and to validate the model. Results Zebrafish injected with nitroglycerin showed a significant increase in movement speed (P < 0.01), a significant decrease in brain tissue DA levels (P < 0.01), upregulation of il-1b, nos2b, c-fos, and c-jun mRNA levels, and increased inflammatory cell infiltration, indicating the successful establishment of the migraine model. Administration of Tianshu Capsules reduced the movement distance and speed of zebrafish after nitroglycerin injection (P < 0.001), significantly decreased the mRNA level of il-1b in the brain tissue (P < 0.001), and showed a trend towards reducing the mRNA levels of nos2b, c-fos, and c-jun. HE staining results showed a reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration in the zebrafish brain tissue after Tianshu Capsules administration. Conclusion A zebrafish model of migraine was successfully established by nitroglycerin injection. Tianshu Capsules demonstrated therapeutic effects on this model, providing further validation for the model.
　　Co-first author: ^# JIANG Shan and ZHANG Qiqi contributed equally to this work