Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP)

Tetramethylpyrazine is an anti-inflammatory compound isolated from the fermented food natto. Tetramethylpyrazine demonstrated in vivo nootropic activity in rats. Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is one of the most important active ingredients of a Chinese herb Ligusticum wallichii Franchat, which is widely used in many ischemia disorders treatments. However, the exact mechanism by which TMP protects the spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is still unknown. For this purpose, rabbits were randomly divided into sham group, control group and TMP group. After the evaluation of neurologic function, the spinal cords were immediately removed for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Tetramethylpyrazine is reported to scavenge superoxide anion and decrease nitric oxide production in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and is a component of some herbs in traditional Chinese medicine.