Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma is a kind of commonly used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating rheumatoid arthritis

with multiple pharmacological effects

including heat-clearing and detoxifying

eliminating wind and dampness

detumescence and analgesia

parasite destroy and itching relieving. According the development of modern pharmacological research

it shows anti-inflammatory

analgesic

anti-tumor and immune regulatory effects

and has been clinically applied to treat immune diseases

renal disease and dermatosis disease

particularly for rheumatoid arthritis. However

due to its multi-organ toxicity

especially hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity

it has been restricted from being widely used in clinic

which has become a hot research topic in recent years. Our research group focused on the attenuation and synergy effect of Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma through transdermal drug delivery

in order to promote application of Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma. This paper collects and analyzes relevant literatures from 2006 to 2016

including traditional processing for attenuation

combined administration for attenuation

modern preparations for attenuation

structural modification for attenuation

biological technology for attenuation and their combined applications. By analysis of the current conditions and difficulties in developing the attenuation and synergy of Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma and comparing the differences with the existing attenuation modes

this study provides ideas for further studies on attenuation and synergy of Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma

promote the rational development and safe clinical application

and offers a reference for the rational application of other toxic TCMs.