Yishen Tongbi Tang

Yishen Tongbi Tang (also known as Yishen Tongbi decoction or YSTB) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbal formula developed by researchers at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The formulation is composed of six medicinal herbs: *Tripterygium hypoglaucum* (Levl.) Hutch (Kunming Shan Hai Tang), *Eucommia ulmoides* Oliv. (Du Zhong), *Ligustrum lucidum* W.T. Aiton (Nu Zhen Zi), *Eclipta prostrata* (L.) L. (Mo Han Lian), *Lycium barbarum* L. (Gou Qi Zi), and *Salvia miltiorrhiza* Bunge (Dan Shen). It is designed to nourish the liver and kidneys, promote blood circulation, and dispel wind-dampness. In clinical trials, Yishen Tongbi Tang has demonstrated non-inferiority to methotrexate (MTX) in reducing disease activity in patients with active RA, showing a faster onset of action and a favorable safety profile. Preclinical studies suggest it exerts anti-inflammatory and bone-protective effects by inhibiting synovial hyperplasia, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-17), and suppressing the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

Other names

YSTBYishen Tongbi decoctionYishen-Tongbi Decoction