SUPPRESSION OF RENAL-DISEASE AND ARTHRITIS, AND PROLONGATION OF SURVIVAL IN MRL-LPR MICE TREATED WITH AN EXTRACT OF TRIPTERYGIUM-WILFORDII HOOK-F

Objective. Treatment of MRL-lpr/lpr mice with Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f (TWHf) to evaluate its effects on mortality, renal disease, and arthritis. Methods. Mice were fed water (group A, control), TWHf (group B), or first water and then TWHf (group C) from age 7 weeks until age 21 weeks. Results. Arthritis and glomerulonephritis were decreased in groups B and C mice, and survival was increased in group B mice. Conclusion. TWHf decreases the mortality rate, and severity of glomerulonephritis and arthritis in MRL-lpr/lpr mice.