AN OVERVIEW: ROLE OF PHYTOCHEMICALS IN THE PROPHYLAXIS OF MIGRAINE

Abstract

Migraine is one of the most painful and debilitating conditions encountered by 22.7% of people in Pakistan, thus many therapeutic strategies are being used to prevent and treat the symptoms and underlying pathology. The role of phytochemicals in the prevention of migraine attacks has been studied at different research centers around the world for many years. It has been found that intake of food as well as phytochemicals containing antioxidants such as flavonoids, polyphenols and alkaloids are involved in the reduction of migraine episode frequency. The current literature supports the use of these plant derived substances therefore if proven useful in other research including animal studies and human trials, can be given as an alternative or along with other prophylactic medical treatments so that better results can be yielded.