Research published in Arthritis and Rheumatism (July 2002; 46(7):1735–1743) examined the effects of the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TWHF) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had not responded to conventional therapy.
Tripterygium wilfordii—sometimes called “thunder god vine,” though more accurately translated as thunder duke vine—has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for inflammatory conditions. In recent decades, it has been investigated for a range of disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic hepatitis, nephritis, and certain skin conditions. Some compounds isolated from the plant have also demonstrated immunosuppressive and anti-fertility effects.
In this randomized, placebo-controlled study, 35 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis were assigned to receive either a high dose of TWHF (360 mg/day), a low dose (180 mg/day), or a placebo for 20 weeks. Clinical response was assessed using criteria from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), with a successful response defined as at least a 20% improvement.
None of the patients in the placebo group met the ACR response criteria. In contrast, 75% of patients in the high-dose group and 40% of those in the low-dose group achieved at least a 20% improvement.
The authors concluded that Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F demonstrated clinically meaningful benefits in this small group of treatment-resistant patients, with a clear dose-response relationship. As with other immunomodulatory therapies, careful attention to safety and dosing is warranted.
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