Guo HB, Peng JQ, Wang X, et al. - The outcomes illustrated that in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN), tripterygium glycosides (TGs) were significantly correlated with improvement of renal function. TGs offers a novel approach to the treatment of DN, there is a need for more high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for a better understanding of the role of TGs in DN therapy.

• Researchers distinguished 26 RCTs with 1,824 participants.

• Using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, studies were assessed.

• Compared with controls, TGs indicated significant effects in reducing 24 h TUP [WMD = -0.84, 95 % CI (-1.09, -0.59)], elevating serum albumin [WMD = 2.88, 95 % CI (1.87, 3.90)], and the total efficiency [OR = 4.08, 95 % CI (2.37, 7.04)].

• As per the findings, this effect was consistent across the subgroups of the period of intervention.