Tripterygium hypoglaucum (THH) is a folk medicine with important medicinal property,used in the treatment of cataciasis,arthritis,and cancer.The principal chemical constituents of THH are diterpene,triterpene,and sesquiterpene alkaloids,and there are also flavonoid,steroid,tannin,and glucide in it.Diterpene and alkaloids are the major active ingredients.THH has various pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammation,antitumor,immunosuppressive activity,antiviral effect,and so on.It is usually used to treat rheumatiod arthritis,psoriasis,and chronic urticarial.In this paper,we summarize the chemical composition,pharmacological activity,and clinical application of THH,for reference to study and utilize it.