ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCEHerb-herb combination has been used to maximize the therapeutic efficacy in the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. Chuanxiong rhizoma (called Chuanxiong in Chinese, CX) and Cyperi rhizoma (called Xiangfu in Chinese, XF) have been used alone or in combination (CRCR) to treat migraine dating back to Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD317) of China. But no data demonstrate the possible necessities or advantages of combining CX and XF for migraine.AIM OF THE STUDYThis study explores the combination mechanism based on pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.MATERIALS AND METHODSA nitroglycerin-induced acute migraine model in rats was used to evaluate the anti-migraine effects of CRCR and the individual herbs using behavior, real time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot experiments. The absorption characteristics of active components involved in the anti-migraine action were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS.RESULTSCX and CRCR significantly reversed the abnormal levels of vasoactive substances (5-HT, CGRP, MMP-2 and MMP-9) to normal levels, but XF did not. XF and CRCR significantly decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-a), and increased the anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). CRCR significantly decreased the mRNA expression levels of c-fos, iNos and nNos, and the corresponding protein expression levels of c-Fos, iNOS, and nNOS. CRCR inhibited NOS/NO pathway by downregulating the expression levels of NOS and NO. Furthermore, CRCR significantly increased the intestinal absorption rate and amount, and changed the pharmacokinetic parameters of active components in comparison with the individual herbs.CONCLUSIONSCX had an advantage in regulating vasoactive substances, and XF focused on regulating inflammatory cytokines. CRCR is more effective in treating migraine than the individual herbs by depending on the synergistic action of CX and XF. This research provided some critical evidences on synergistic action between herb-herb interactions, and revealed the potential advantages of herb-herb combination in traditional Chinese medicine.