Gypenosides are the main active saponins isolated from Gynostemma pentaphyllum, a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. There is emerging scientific interest in their potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, which are relevant to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A limited number of preclinical studies—mainly in vitro and in animal models—have suggested that gypenosides can modulate inflammatory pathways implicated in RA, such as inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and suppressing NF-κB signaling. One notable study demonstrated that gypenosides reduced joint swelling and inflammatory markers in collagen-induced arthritis in rats, a common experimental model for RA. These effects are hypothesized to stem from the saponins’ ability to inhibit oxidative stress and downregulate immune responses involved in synovial inflammation.

However, high-quality human clinical trials are lacking, and evidence in patients with RA is minimal. The use of gypenosides for RA is thus supported mainly by preclinical data rather than robust clinical validation. While gypenosides are traditionally used for general health and as adaptogens, their specific use for RA is not well established in traditional medical texts. In summary, there is preliminary scientific justification for exploring gypenosides as a supportive therapy for RA, but current evidence is weak and insufficient for recommending their routine use.