Abstract: AIM: To investigate the value and the effect of tripterygium wilfordii on decreasing proteinuria in the primary and secondary nephropathy syndrome in children. METHODS: 30 patients were confirmed the pathology classification, and given tablets of tripterygium wilfordii by 1.5 kg·d ^-1 for 4 weeks.24-hour urine volume and gastrointestinal reaction were observed, and regularly the 24-hour proteinuria quantity, hepatic and renal function, peripheral blood, and serum albumin were examined. RESULTS: 14 of 30 patients were effective after the treatment, 12 patients were improved, 7 patients were effective after 1-week treatment, and 9 patients were effective after 2 weeks.Individual patients had moderate gastrointestinal disorder;a few patients had modest ALT increase in early therapy;and all recovered after continuous treatment.The value of WBC in 3 patients decreased to 3.5 ×10⁹ L ^-1 in the whole course, but, it did not affected the administration.All patients had normal renal function. CONCLUSIONs: Tripterygium wuilfordii can effectively decrease proteinuria, and improve the symptom of primary and secondary nephropathy syndrome in children.

Key words: pharmacodynamics, tripterygium wilfordii, nephritic proteinuria, children