RE: Tripterygium wilfordii

[Guest guest]

8/8/2002

 

Reuters Health / Arthritis & Rheumatism 2002;46:1735-1743

 

Posted: 8/8/2002

 

Herbal Extract May Help Rheumatoid Arthritis

 

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A small study suggests that an herb used for

many years in traditional Chinese medicine may help ease the symptoms of

rheumatoid arthritis, US researchers report.

 

The herb is called Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TWHF), 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 ( news - web sites) and

colleagues report that patients who took capsules of different doses of TWHF

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.

 

Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis try to alleviate the joint pain and

stiffness associated with their condition with medications such as

non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or steroid drugs called

glucocorticoids. However, these drugs carry risks of side effects, including

osteoporosis and gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers or bleeding.

 

In the current study, published in the July issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism,

Tao and colleagues compared the effects of an extract of TWHF to an inactive

drug, or placebo, in 35 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Patients were

given placebo, a low dose of TWHF (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 TWHF 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 TWHF 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 TWHF may alleviate

the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis by both suppressing immune system

activity and reducing inflammation.

 

SOURCE: Arthritis & Rheumatism 2002;46:1735-1743.

 

Stephen Morrissey OMD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese Herbal Medicine, a voluntary organization of licensed healthcare

practitioners, matriculated students and postgraduate academics specializing

in Chinese Herbal Medicine, provides a variety of professional services,

including board approved online continuing education.

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

stephen wrote:

 

> The herb is called Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TWHF), 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.

 

I've never heard of this herb, so I looked it up in Jade Remedies' cross

reference.

 

Tripterygium wilfordii is:

 

Medulla radicis Tripterygii

Lei Gong Teng (Manderin)

Leui Gung Tang (Catonese)

 

--

Al Stone L.Ac.

<AlStone

http://www.BeyondWellBeing.com

 

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

[Guest guest]

I've never heard of this herb, so I looked it up in Jade Remedies' cross reference.Tripterygium wilfordii is:Medulla radicis Tripterygii>>>Great care must be used when using lei gong teng as serious side are not uncommon, including death. Taking B-12 and 6 at the same time can reduce GI side-effects

Alon