Research progress of Tripterygium wilfordii in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent synovitis and destruction of articular cartilage and bone. With the aging of the population, the incidence of RA is increasing year by year and the burden of public health is becoming more and more serious. Tripterygium wilfordii has the effects of dispelling wind and dredging collaterals, dehumidifying and relieving pain, detoxification and insecticide. It is often used in the treatment of various autoimmune diseases, tumors and skin diseases in clinic, and the prominent effect is observed in the treatment of RA especially. This review systematically summarizes and discusses the latest research progress of T. wilfordii in the treatment of RA in the aspects of experimental pharmacology and clinical research, including its single application, the compatible application with other Chinese materia medica, and the combination of Western medicine, which is expected to promote the innovative drug development and more reasonable and effective clinical application of T. wilfordii in the treatment of RA.