Anti-inflammatory effects of leaf and twig of Tripterygium wilfordii on paw edema in mice.

The root of Tripterygium wilfordii (TWH) is a traditional Chinese herb used to treat the immune-related diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, whereas the leaf and twig of TWH was considered useless and discarded. We performed a study on the anti-inflammatory effects on the leaf and twig portion agent using carrageenan- and adjuvant-induced paw edema in rats. They showed a marked inhibitory effect on edema in both models of inflammation in rats, at the dose of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, especially on secondary immunological arthritis. Based on this study, we confirmed that the leaf and twig of TWH is a potentially useful drug suitable for further evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis and can replace root of TWH.