ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) in treatment of IgA nephropathy. MethodsThe Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2014), PubMed, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched up to April 28th, 2004 to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the efficacy and safety of TwHF in treatment of IgA nephropathy. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality of included studies. Metaanalysis was then conducted using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of 10 RCTs involving 521 patients were finally included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:a) compared with MMF group, TwHF group had better outcomes in complete remission (CR) (OR=2.01, 95%CI 1.04 to 3.87, P=0.04), total remission (TR) (OR=3.17, 95%CI 1.22 to 8.23, P=0.02), 24-hour urinary protein content (MD=2.61, 95%CI 1.34 to 3.88, P<0.000 1), and level of serum albumin (MD=-6.42, 95%CI -9.13 to -3.71, P<0.000 01); and b) compared with ACEI (ARB) group, TwHF group had better outcomes in complete remission (CR) (OR=4.25, 95%CI 2.63 to 6.86, P<0.000 01), total remission (TR) (OR=4.15, 95%CI 2.33 to 7.40, P<0.000 01), 24-hour urinary protein content (MD=1.15, 95%CI 0.63 to 1.66, P<0.000 1), and level of serum albumin (MD=-5.18, 95%CI -8.96 to -1.41, P=0.007), all with significant differences. ConclusionTwHF has favourable therapeutic efficacy and safety in treatment of IgA nephropathy. Due to limited quantity and quality of the included studies, the above conclusion should be verified by further conducting more high quality, large-scale, multicentre RCTs.