Ligustrazin

PhytochemicalAlkaloid

What is it

Ligustrazin (tetramethylpyrazine, TMP, chuanxiongzine) is an alkaloid originally isolated from Ligusticum chuanxiong (Sichuan lovage), a herb central to Chinese medicine for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Ischemic stroke / cerebrovascular (injectable)

Limited Evidence

Chinese clinical studies suggest benefit as adjunctive therapy; Western evidence is more limited.

Angina / cardiovascular

Limited Evidence

Traditional Chinese use and clinical studies; quality variable.

How it works

Tetramethylpyrazine has multiple cardiovascular and neurological effects: vasodilation through calcium-channel modulation, inhibition of platelet aggregation, antioxidant activity, and improvement of cerebral blood flow in rodent models of ischemia. In China, it is used as an injectable medication for ischemic stroke, angina, and pulmonary hypertension. Oral bioavailability is moderate. Many Chinese clinical studies (often small or lower-quality) report benefits, but high-quality Western trials are limited.

Dosage

Pharmaceutical injectable doses are 40-100 mg IV daily under medical supervision. Oral supplement doses vary widely and are not standardized.

When and how to take it

Oral supplement timing varies by product. Pharmaceutical injectable is administered per medical protocol.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Injectable ligustrazin (Chinese pharmaceutical)

Used in hospital cardiovascular care in China.

Direct delivery.

Oral supplement (Ligusticum chuanxiong extract)

Less standardized.

Moderate.

Safety

Common: headache, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset. Less common: hypotension, allergic reactions, decreased platelet aggregation.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, bleeding disorders, prior to surgery, and on anticoagulants. Caution with low blood pressure.

Interactions

Significant interactions with antiplatelets and anticoagulants (additive bleeding risk). May interact with antihypertensives.

Frequently asked questions

Is ligustrazin a drug?⌄

It is used as a pharmaceutical drug in China and a supplement constituent elsewhere.

Is it safe with anticoagulants?⌄

No, additive bleeding risk; consult a clinician.

References

Ligustrazin on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Ligustrazin (ChEBI:133246) — ChEBI link

Ligustrazin (PubChem CID 14296) — PubChem link

Ligustrazin on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Ligustrazin (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Ligustrazin with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.