Symptom relief and reduced cartilage destruction and bone erosion were observed, which can be explained by the direct suppression of inflammatory cytokines in the joints. Agkistrodon peptides downregulate the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, which may alleviate cartilage destruction and bone erosion, thus relieving symptoms of RA. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.