ABSTRACT
In recent years, Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma polyglycosides have been used more and more widely in clinic, mostly in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Besides, it is also used as a basic immunosuppressive drug to treat various kidney diseases, such as nephrotic syndrome. However, there are many adverse reactions in clinic, as well as controversies over its medication regimen, especially its dosage and time. To make rational use of Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma polyglycosides in clinic and further study, the pharmacological and toxicological research progress of Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma polyglycosides was reviewed. The author collected pharmacological and toxicological research literatures of Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma polyglycosides at home and abroad in recent years, finding that Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma polyglycosides have the pharmacological effects of anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, kidney protection and immunosuppression, and mainly plays a pharmacological role by regulating the expression of cytokines in NF-<italic>κ</italic>B signaling pathway, mTOR signaling pathway and apoptosis-related signaling pathway. And the toxicological effects of Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma polyglycosides mostly focused on hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and reproductive system toxicity, which are mostly related to oxidative stress response and expression of inflammatory factors. The main components of Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma polyglycosides are triptolide and celastrol. The pharmacological and toxicological studies of Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma polyglycosides are in-depth, the results showed that the efficacy and toxicity were dose-dependent and time-dependent, with no toxicity study of Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma polyglycosides varying with dosage and time in the context of efficacy, indicating dose-effect, time-effect, dose-toxicity, time-toxicity relationships. Relevant mechanisms still need further study.