Thundergod vine (Tripterygium wilfordii) has a long history of use. It has reportedly been used continuously in China for more than 2,000 years. Traditionally, thundergod vine has been used as an anticancer drug, male contraceptive, a drug used to suppress the immune system, and as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Various clinical trials have indicated the use of thundergod vine as a possible treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, a disease of the immune system). There is also evidence suggesting possible benefits of thundergod vine in organ transplantation, asthma, cancer, and kidney, skin, and eye disorders.
Canter PH, Lee HS, Ernst E. A systematic review of randomised clinical trials of Tripterygium wilfordii for rheumatoid arthritis. Phytomedicine 2006;13(5):371-377. View Abstract
Carter BZ, Mak DH, Schober WD, et al. Triptolide induces caspase-dependent cell death mediated via the mitochondrial pathway in leukemic cells. Blood 2006;108(2):630-637. View Abstract
Chang HJ, Kim MH, Baek MK, et al. Triptolide inhibits tumor promoter-induced uPAR expression via blocking NF-kappaB signaling in human gastric AGS cells. Anticancer Res 2007;27(5A):3411-7. View Abstract
Huang HH, Yen DH, Wu ML, et al. Acute Erycibe henryi Prain ("Ting Kung Teng") poisoning. Clin.Toxicol (Phila) 2006;44(1):71-75. View Abstract
Ji SM, Wang QW, Chen JS, et al. Clinical trial of Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook F. in human kidney transplantation in China. Transplant Proc 2006;38(5):1274-1279. View Abstract
Kusunoki N, Yamazaki R, Kitasato H, et al. Triptolide, an active compound identified in a traditional Chinese herb, induces apoptosis of rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts. BMC Pharmacol 2004;4:2. View Abstract
Panichakul T, Intachote P, Wongkajorsilp A, et al. Triptolide sensitizes resistant cholangiocarcinoma cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Anticancer Res 2006;26(1A):259-265. View Abstract
Setty AR, Sigal LH. Herbal medications commonly used in the practice of rheumatology: mechanisms of action, efficacy, and side effects. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2005;34(6):773-784. View Abstract
Wang J, Wang YT, Shao JQ, et al. Immunosuppressive therapies in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy. Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi 2004;43(2):125-127. View Abstract
Wang X, Matta R, Shen G, et al. Mechanism of triptolide-induced apoptosis: Effect on caspase activation and Bid cleavage and essentiality of the hydroxyl group of triptolide. J Mol Med 2006;84(5):405-415. View Abstract
Yan SX, Wang Y. Inhibitory effects of Triptolide on interferon-gamma-induced human leucocyte antigen-DR, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, CD40 expression on retro-ocular fibroblasts derived from patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol 2006;34(3):265-271. View Abstract
Yang H, Chen D, Cui QC, et al. Celastrol, a triterpene extracted from the Chinese "Thunder of God Vine," is a potent proteasome inhibitor and suppresses human prostate cancer growth in nude mice. Cancer Res 2006;66(9):4758-4765. View Abstract
Yang JH, Luo SD, Wang YS, et al. Triterpenes from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. J Asian Nat Prod Res 2006;8(5):425-429. View Abstract
Zhang DH, Marconi A, Xu LM, et al. Tripterine inhibits the expression of adhesion molecules in activated endothelial cells. J Leukoc Biol 2006;80(2):309-319. View Abstract
Zhou X, Zhou Z, Jin M, et al. Clinical study of qingluo tongbi granules in treating 63 patients with rheumatoid arthritis of the type of yin-deficiency and heat in collaterals. J Tradit Chin Med 2004;24(2):83-87. View Abstract