Rheumatoid Arthritis

Physician's First Watch for August 18, 2009
David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, Editor-in-ChiefPhysician's First Watch for August 18, 2009

Chinese Herb Appears Better Than Standard Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis 

U.S. researchers randomized some 120 adults with active rheumatoid arthritis to receive the extract (180 mg) or sulfasalazine (2 g) daily for 24 weeks. Participants were allowed to use stable prednisone dosing (up to 7.5 mg/day) but not disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

In intent-to-treat analyses, significantly more patients assigned to TwHF versus sulfasalazine achieved at least a 20% improvement in arthritis symptoms (65% vs. 33%). In analyses limited to the roughly 50% of patients who completed the study, results were similar. Adverse events did not differ between the two groups.

The authors write that three of TwHF's metabolites — triptolide, tripdiolide, and triptonide — may account for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.