Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : Chinese Herbs – Lei Gong Teng (Radix Tripterygium wilfordii)

Wednesday, 6 November 2013

Chinese Herbs – Lei Gong Teng (Radix Tripterygium wilfordii)

Lei Gong Teng is also known as Thunder god vine. The bitter and very toxic herb has been used in TCM as an anti-inflammatiory and immunosuppressive agent and to resolve toxins, treat proteinuric renal disease, etc., as it expels Wind-Damp, resolves edema, calms pain, etc., by enhancing the functions of Liver and kidney channels.

Ingredients

1. Saponins

2. Triptolide

3. Tripdiolide

4. triptonoterpene

5. tritotriterpenic acid C

6. 3-epikatonic acid

7. Polpunonic acid
8. Triptodihydroxy acid methyl ester

9. 1,8-dihydroxy-4-hydroxymethyl anthraquinone

10 Tannin

11. Etc.

Health Benefits

1. Immunosuppressive effects

In the investigation of the numerous Chinese patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) have benefited from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF), showed that although the results of this meta-analysis should be interpreted with caution and warrant further investigation, TwHF was certainly a valuable and promising immunosuppressive remedy for IgAN, which was in accordance with the accruing evidence from numerous large clinical and experimental studies.(1)

2. Anti rheumatoid arthritis

In the compsrison of the anti rheumatoid arthritis from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F versus sulfasalazine, reserachers found that similar significant differences between the treatment groups. Significant improvement was demonstrated in all individual components of the ACR response, including the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability score. Interleukin-6 levels rapidly and significantly decreased in the TwHF group. Although not statistically significant, radiographic progression was lower in the TwHF group. The frequency of adverse events was similar in both groups. Limitations: Only 62% and 41% of patients continued receiving TwHF extract and sulfasalazine, respectively, during the 24 weeks of the study(2)

3. Anti inflammatory effects

In the study of trying to produce a transdermal microemulsion drug delivery system (TMDDS) for Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook f. (TWHF) and attempting to solve male reproductive toxicity problem of TWHF, showed that TMDDS for TWHF had stronger transdermal ability than free TWHF, and TWHF microemulsion significantly inhibited the adjuvant-induced arthritis and at the same time, had preferable anti-inflammatory effect with the long-time administration. Various pharmacodynamics parameters proved that TWHF microemulsion can reduce the male reproductive toxicity and hepatotoxicity of rats(3)

4. Anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects

In the investigation of Triptolide (PG-490), a diterpenoid component from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F., for its anti-Anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, indicated that Thriptolide reversed the TBI-induced decrease in brain levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10. Importantly, triptolide improved neurobehavioral outcomes regarding motor, sensory, reflex and balance function and concluded that triptolide confers neuroprotection against TBI, at least in part, via its anti-inflammatory activity.(4)

5. Psoriasis and other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases

In the examination of the herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. (TwHF) is frequently used to treat autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases due to its favorable cost-benefit ratio, in China, showed that Triptolide has turned out to be the active substance of TwHF-extracts and has been shown to exert potent anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressive effects in vitro and in vivo. There is increasing evidence for an immunomodulatory and partly immunosuppressive mechanism of action of triptolide. Thus, compounds such as triptolide or triptolide-derivatives may have the potential to be developed as a new class of drugs for these diseases. In this review we summarize the published knowledge regarding clinical use, pharmacokinetics and the possible mode of action of triptolide in the treatment of inflammatory diseases with a particular focus on psoriasis(5)

6. Anti gastric cancer

In the attempt to clarify how triptolide, an active component extracted from the traditional Chinese herbal medicine Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TWHF), enhances cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in gastric cancer SC-M1 cells, found that Apoptosis induced by the combined treatments was accompanied by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c. Triptolide increased the cisplatin-induced activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and the downstream cleavage of PARP in SC-M1 cells. Results of these in vitro experiments indicated that triptolide enhanced cytotoxicity in cisplatin-treated SC-M1 cells and that this effect is mediated by apoptosis through a mitochondrial pathway(6)

7. Etc.

Side Effects

1. Overdoses can cause toxicity

2. Prolonged period of use of the herb can decrease bone desity, hair loss and weaked immune system

3. Not not use the herb in newborn, children, or if you are pregnant or breast feeding or if you have geriatric and pediatric diseases or heart, stomach and spleen disorders with consulting with your doctor or related field specialist