Molecular mechanisms of active compounds from Tripterygium wilfordii in prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

• Triptolide alleviates joint inflammation by inhibiting fibroblast-like synoviocyte proliferation and migration via JAK2/STAT3 pathway blockade and modulation of circRNA0003353 and IL-4. • Celastrol reduces joint swelling and bone erosion by suppressing ROS/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling and inducing autophagy via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibition. • Wilforine downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) and inhibits Wnt/β-catenin signaling in collagen-induced arthritis models. • Active compounds from Tripterygium wilfordii exhibit multi-target therapeutic potential in rheumatoid arthritis, but further mechanistic and clinical studies are needed.