Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (Celastraceae) is a perennial vine growing in southern China. The herb, also called Lei Gong Teng (Thunder God Vine or "three-wing nut"), has been used in Chinese medicine for treatment of fever, edema, and carbuncles for centuries. Tripterygium has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity. Tripterygium contains triptolide and tripdiolide and numerous other compounds.
Potential clinical uses of
Tripterygium
Rheumatoid arthritis
symptoms may be eased by tripterygium. Visit the web page for additional options
on treating rheumatoid arthritis.
Lupus
Leiomyomas (uterine fibroids)
Polycystic kidney disease
Uveitis, an eye condition
Trypterygium side effects and caution
Tripterygium has anti- fertility effect in male rats and in men after oral
administration at dose levels not showing apparent toxicity or side effects. Fertility
appears to be reversible after cessation of treatment.
Tripterygium therapy may cause amenorrhea in women
Long-term administration of Tripterygium could decrease bone
mineral density
levels in women.
Tripterygium Herbal extract may help rheumatoid arthritis
A small study suggests that an herb used for many years in traditional Chinese
medicine may help ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The herb is called Tripterygium wilfordii
Hook F, known also by the Chinese
translation for "thunder god vine." Chinese medicine practitioners use extracts
from the vine to treat arthritis and other disorders of the immune system. Dr. Xuelian Tao of the National Institutes of Health and colleagues report that
patients who took capsules of different doses of Tripterygium were more likely to experience a
reduction in their symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis than those given pills containing
inactive ingredients.Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease in which the body's own immune system attacks
the tissue lining the joints. It is more common in women, tends to strike between the ages
of 36 and 50, and results in chronic destruction and deformity of the joints. In the current study, published in the July issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, Tao
and colleagues compared the effects of an extract of Tripterygium to an inactive drug, or placebo,
in 35 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Patients were given placebo, a low dose of Tripterygium
(180 milligrams) or a high dose of the extract (360 milligrams) each day for 20 weeks. Fourteen of the original patients withdrew from the study before the end of the 20
weeks, citing various reasons, the authors note. One patient dropped out of each of the
three treatment groups due to side effects. Of the patients who completed the trial, 8 who were given the high dose of the
treatment, and 4 given the low dose, experienced at least a 20% improvement in their
symptoms. None of the patients given a placebo drug experienced a similar improvement, Tao
and colleagues note. Six patients taking the low dose of Tripterygium and 5 of those taking the high dose reported
side effects as a result of the treatment, the authors add, which included hair loss,
heartburn, and, most commonly, diarrhea. However, Tao and colleagues write, another 4
patients taking placebo also reported side effects similar to some of those noted in the
treatment group, suggesting that Tripterygium may not be the cause of many of the concurrent
ailments."Many of the side effects were noted in patients treated with placebo as well as
in those treated with the extract, suggesting that the side effects may not be
specifically associated with administration of the drug," the authors write. Based on the findings, Tao and colleagues suggest that Tripterygium may alleviate the symptoms
of rheumatoid arthritis by both suppressing immune system activity and reducing
inflammation. SOURCE: Arthritis & Rheumatism 2002;46:1735-1743.
Tripterygium for polycystic
kidney disease
Tripterygium extract appears to slow cyst growth and progression of
polycystic kidney disease in vitro and in a murine model. Triptolide is
the first agent identified and developed in the laboratory with the
potential to halt this currently untreatable disease. Triptolide is
derived from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, also known as the "Thunder God
Vine." Triptolide induces apoptosis, arrests cell growth and
down-regulates expression of genes that promote inflammation and cellular
growth. A tea made from the vine, Li Gong Teng, is used in traditional
Chinese medicine as a treatment for inflammation, cancer and auto-immune
diseases. Dr. Craig M. Crews of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut,
and colleagues have identified "an as-yet undescribed mechanism of the
action of triptolide and an ability to stimulate calcium ion release,
arrest cell growth and reduce cyst progression in a murine model" of
polycystic kidney disease. PNAS Early Edition 2007.
Tripterygium Research Update
Triptolide, an active compound identified in a traditional Chinese herb,
induces apoptosis of rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts.
Trypterygium supplier
Email received in July 2007 - Dr. Sahelian, on your website you asked for
anyone to let you know if they came across a supplier for tripterygium wilfordii
extract. I have found a supplier that says they can provide the following
ingredients:
1) Triptolide 99% Min (HPLC)
2) Wilforlide A 98% Min (HPLC)
3) Celastrol 98% Min (HPLC)
However, not being a biochemist, I am not sure how much of what or which I
should ask for! I am sure other patients would be in the same situation. I am
currently in the middle of doing a three-month trial with other herbs. After
evaluation, and depending upon outcomes, I would still be quite interested in
conservatively testing the above. Do you know where I can find out about ratios
and quantities of ingredients in relation to fibroids? I don't want to poison
myself in the process! :) From my research so far, tripterygium wilfordii is
quite toxic. Here are the suppliers details below:
Robert Ai
T: +86-538-7506189
F: +86-538-7513518
www.tazhonghui dot com
Answer by Dr. Sahelian: I have no idea how to
use this herb. You may wish to ask the supplier regarding the proper dosage and
then your first time take a fifth or so of what they recommend.
See herb
for a full list of herb topics.