Qing Wang1, Jian Meng2, Aiguo Dong1, Jie-Zhong Yu2, Guang-Xian Zhang3, Cun-Gen Ma1,2. 1. 1 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center/Research Center of Neurobiology, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China . 2. 2 Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University , Datong, People's Republic of China . 3. 3 Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia, PA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Extracts of the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) have potent anti-inflammatory functions and are widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. They have also been considered as potential drugs in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) was performed. We reviewed many Chinese- and English-language articles. RESULTS: Recent studies have indicated that TwHF extracts, such as triptolide and tripchlorolide, are able to attenuate progression of this neuroimmunologic disorder because of their immunoregulatory, neurotrophic, and neuroprotective effects, but use of these extracts is often accompanied by acute and chronic toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: This review systematically summarizes the effects, safety consideration, and molecular mechanisms of action of TwHF extracts with regard to their inhibition of microglia activation, T cell functions, and transcriptional activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling.
OBJECTIVE: Extracts of the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) have potent anti-inflammatory functions and are widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. They have also been considered as potential drugs in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) was performed. We reviewed many Chinese- and English-language articles. RESULTS: Recent studies have indicated that TwHF extracts, such as triptolide and tripchlorolide, are able to attenuate progression of this neuroimmunologic disorder because of their immunoregulatory, neurotrophic, and neuroprotective effects, but use of these extracts is often accompanied by acute and chronic toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: This review systematically summarizes the effects, safety consideration, and molecular mechanisms of action of TwHF extracts with regard to their inhibition of microglia activation, T cell functions, and transcriptional activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling.