Can a traditional chinese herb tame stubborn rheumatoid arthritis?

NCT ID NCT07721142

First seen Jul 22, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial investigates whether adding Kunxian Capsule, a traditional Chinese herbal remedy, to standard medications (methotrexate and tofacitinib) can improve outcomes for people with refractory rheumatoid arthritis — a form that does not respond well to usual treatments. About 300 adults aged 50 to 70 with this condition will receive either the herbal capsule or a placebo for 12 weeks. The main goal is to see if more patients achieve at least a 20% improvement in arthritis symptoms (ACR20) by the end of the study.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Kunxian Capsule (a traditional Chinese herbal medicine) combined with methotrexate and tofacitinib
What this could lead to
If effective, this combination could offer a new option for people with rheumatoid arthritis that does not respond well to standard treatments.
What could go wrong
This is a phase 4 trial, so the intervention is already in use, but its specific benefit over placebo in this combination is unproven. Herbal medicines can have side effects and interactions.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Guanghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

    RECRUITING

    Shanghai, China

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

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