Triptolide is more effective in preventing T cell proliferation and interferon-gamma production than is FK506.

The Chinese traditional herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F (TWHF) has been reported to be effective in the treatment of a variety of autoimmune disorders. The major active component of this herb is triptolide and most of the efficacy of this herb immunosuppression is attributed to triptolide. FK506 is also a potent immunosuppressive agent and is currently being used clinically. The present studies compare the effectiveness of triptolide and FK506 to suppress certain human T cell functions. Specifically human T cell proliferation, IL-2 and IFNgamma were compared. The results show that, overall, triptolide is more effective at inhibiting T cell proliferation and IFNgamma production than FK506 and the two compounds inhibit IL-2 production in an equivalent manner.