Cat's Claw: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
Peruvian Vine
Scientific name(s)
Uncaria tomentosa
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Oxindole Alkaloids
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Osteoarthritis ✪✪✪✪✪
A small clinical trial shows that taking a freeze-dried extract of cat's claw (Uncaria guianensis) at 100 mg per day orally relieves knee pain related to physical activity within a week of treatment, but does not reduce resting pain or knee swelling. Other clinical research shows that taking a combination of supplements 1800 mg twice daily for 8 weeks can reduce pain and stiffness, improve function, and reduce the need to use medications similarly to glucosamine sulfate. This specific combination supplement contains cat's claw 300 mg and maca 1500 mg per dose.
Posologie
Oral: bark
100 - 300 mg
powder, infusion, aqueous decoction, dry extract
Efficacy and safety of freeze-dried cat's claw in osteoarthritis of the knee: mechanisms of action of the species Uncaria guianensis
Comparison of glucosamine sulfate and a polyherbal supplement for the relief of osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial
Rheumatoid Arthritis ✪✪✪✪✪
A clinical study was conducted to evaluate the role of cat's claw in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In this trial, 40 participants suffering from the disease and all following conventional sulfasalazine or hydroxychloroquine treatment were randomly assigned to receive either cat's claw tablets (60 mg of Uncariae tomentosae) or placebo tablets once a day for 24 weeks (phase A). Participants in both treatment groups were then asked to take cat's claw for another 28 weeks (phase B). All participants in both phases were instructed to continue their usual treatment during the two phases of the trial. - 53% of participants who received cat's claw during phase A reported a significant reduction in the number of painful joints, compared to only 24% of participants who took placebo tablets during the same phase. - There were no differences between the two groups regarding joint flexibility or the number of painful or swollen joints during this period. - Significant beneficial effects on all clinical aspects were observed in participants who received cat's claw for a total of 52 weeks, compared to the placebo group in phase A.
Posologie
Oral: bark
60 - 300 mg
powder, infusion, aqueous decoction, dry extract
Joint Pain, Arthritis ✪✪✪✪✪
Cat's claw has anti-inflammatory properties especially in arthritis, alone and in addition to conventional therapies to reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling. Furthermore, it increases cartilage regeneration. Cat's claw may also reduce the frequency of use of conventional therapies.
Posologie
Oral: bark
60 - 300 mg
powder, infusion, aqueous decoction, dry extract
Randomized double blind trial of an extract from the pentacyclic alkaloid-chemotype of uncaria tomentosa for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Efficacy and safety of freeze-dried cat's claw in osteoarthritis of the knee: mechanisms of action of the species Uncaria guianensis
Comparison of glucosamine sulfate and a polyherbal supplement for the relief of osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial
Cancer ✪✪✪✪✪
The antineoplastic action of cat's claw has been extensively studied. Several studies, using various methods and administration regimens, have been conducted on tumor cell lines in vivo and in vitro, and they have yielded very promising results. One study evaluated its effect on people with advanced cancers who had no other treatment options. Study participants had a better overall quality of life, reduced fatigue, and stabilization of body weight. In another study, breast cancer patients received adjuvant chemotherapy with fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide. Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia decreased in the cat's claw treated group. Placebo-controlled studies are needed to confirm these results, to further evaluate the antineoplastic action of cat's claw, and to enhance understanding of its effect on patient survival.
Posologie
Oral: bark
300 mg
powder, infusion, aqueous decoction, dry extract
Alzheimer's Disease ✪✪✪✪✪
Due to its content of oxindole alkaloids, polyphenols (flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and tannins), glycosides, pentacyclic alkaloids, and sterols, cat's claw is known for its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects and its role as a free radical scavenger. Using a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, a significant reduction in beta-amyloid (Aβ) burden by 59% and plaque number by 78% in the hippocampus and cortex was observed after treating 8-month-old mice with cat's claw extract for 14 days. The extract also led to a significant reduction in astrogliosis and microgliosis and improved hippocampal-dependent memory. Some components of cat's claw extract crossed the blood-brain barrier and penetrated the brain parenchyma after intravenous injection. Based on preclinical studies, cat's claw could be effective for memory loss and cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease, although no studies have been performed on humans.
Posologie
Oral route: bark
300 - 900 mg
powder, infusion, aqueous decoction, dry extract
Crohn's Disease ✪✪✪✪✪
Traditional use based on its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity.
Posologie
Oral route: bark
300 - 900 mg
powder, infusion, aqueous decoction, dry extract
Ulcerative Colitis ✪✪✪✪✪
Traditional use based on its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity.
Posologie
Oral route: bark
300 - 900 mg
powder, infusion, aqueous decoction, dry extract
Properties
Anti-inflammatory
According to in vitro and clinical research, the anti-inflammatory properties of cat's claw may result from their ability to inhibit the production of TNF-alpha and, to a lesser extent, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). In vitro, cat's claw is a potent inhibitor of TNF-alpha production. In animal research, cat's claw extract (U. tomentosa) protects mice against ozone-induced lung inflammation. An in vivo study comparing the efficacy of a spray-dried hydroalcoholic extract to a freeze-dried aqueous extract in mice shows that the anti-inflammatory activity was significantly higher with the hydroalcoholic extract. The extracts also showed weak inhibitory activity against cyclooxygenase-1 or -2. Preliminary pharmacological research shows that the sterols (beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol) from cat's claw (U. tomentosa) appear to contribute to anti-inflammatory activity. In animal research, the quinovic acid glycosides of alkaloids from cat's claw (U. tomentosa) exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and inhibit nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB).
Usages associés
Immunomodulator
In vitro research using pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids extracted from cat's claw shows increased immune function, while tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids inhibit this induced immunostimulation. In animal research, cat's claw extracts (U. tomentosa) indirectly modulate immune activity and induce a higher reserve of myeloid progenitors in the bone marrow due to the release of biologically active cytokines (CSFs, IL-1, and IL-6). The alkaloids from cat's claw enhance macrophage phagocytosis. The pentacyclic alkaloid induces the release of the leukocyte proliferation-regulating factor from endothelial cells. Several studies have demonstrated the immunomodulatory effect of cat's claw (U. tomentosa) by inhibiting induced pro-inflammatory cytokines. In a study on the immunomodulatory and antiviral activities of Uncaria tomentosa on human monocytes infected with Dengue virus-2, the pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids from U. tomentosa significantly reduce virus expression in monocytes as well as TNF-b1, IFN- 3b1, and IL-10 production in cultures post-infection.
Usages associés
Anticancer
Quinic acid, which is a biologically active component of hot water bark extract of cat's claw (U. tomentosa), inhibits tumor cell proliferation and inflammatory responses, according to in vitro research. However, the extract does not interfere with IL-2 production or IL-2 receptor signaling. In animal research, the extract induces an arrest of cell proliferation and inhibits the activation of NF-kappaB transcription regulator in vitro. According to in vitro research, extracts and fractions of cat's claw exert direct antiproliferative activity on several cell lines, including breast cancer, glioma, neuroblastoma, pre-myelocytic leukemia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In vitro, cat's claw demonstrates antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in human medullary thyroid carcinoma cells by inhibiting cell growth. The alkaloid mitraphylline from cat's claw bark shows antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects on cell lines of Ewing's sarcoma and breast cancer by inhibiting growth. Cat's claw has also shown anticancer activity against Lewis lung carcinoma, cervical carcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, and breast carcinoma through the inhibition of tumor cell cycles. In animals, cat's claw triggered apoptosis of neoplastic cells, proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells, and an increase in neutrophil count. Additionally, cat's claw can induce tumor cell death (apoptosis), has antimutagenic activity, and inhibits the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cells. Cat's claw does not appear to be cytotoxic to normal cells.
Usages associés
Neurological
Isolated mitraphylline from cat's claw (U. tomentosa) has a significant binding with beta-amyloid. According to animal research, pteropodine and isopteropodine (heterohimbine-type oxindole alkaloid components of cat's claw (U. tomentosa)) may have a beneficial effect on memory loss caused by cholinergic dysfunction. These alkaloids appear to improve central cholinergic transmission by increasing acetylcholine levels or affecting dopaminergic systems that may enhance cholinergic function. Another constituent, uncarine E, may also affect the glutamate system, which could play a critical role in memory and cognition. Tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids are believed to affect the central nervous system. Animal research shows that the alkaloid fraction of cat's claw (U. tomentosa) mitigates the amnesic effect of scopolamine. Oxindole alkaloids uncarine E, uncarine C, mitraphylline, rhynchophylline, and isorhynchophylline may be at least partially responsible for this effect. Hirsutine and hirsuteine extracted from cat's claw show anticonvulsive properties in mice. In vivo, isorhynchophylline and rhynchophylline show effects on central nervous system conditions such as sedation, vascular dementia, epilepsy seizures, addiction, cerebral ischemia, and amnesia, probably by modulating calcium ion channels, protecting neural and neuroglial cells against beta-amyloid (25-35) induced neurotoxicity, and inducing autophagy. In vivo, isorhynchophylline has therapeutic effects in neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease by degrading alpha-synuclein and inducing autophagy in neuronal cell lines.
Usages associés
Hormonal Metabolism
According to animal research, serum levels of estradiol and progesterone may be reduced after chronic intake of cat's claw. According to in vitro research, cat's claw extract can inhibit progesterone in a dose-dependent manner. In vitro, an aqueous extract of cat's claw (U. tomentosa) prevents estrogen from binding to estrogen receptors on breast cancer cells.
Musculoskeletal Effects
A combined product containing cat's claw (U. tomentosa) demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects in osteoarthritis on chondrocytes and cartilage through strong inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and MMP-13 expression, and nitric oxide (NO) production in chondrocytes stimulated by interleukin-1beta. Additionally, the release of glycosaminoglycans is blocked, aggrecan and type II collagen are increased, and NF-kappaB activation is inhibited.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult from 18 years: 300 mg - 1000 mg
Maximum dose in alkaloids: 10 to 30 mg per day. - Decoction: 30 g of root powder in 800 ml of water. - Tincture: 2-4 ml, 2 times a day - Dry extract: 300 mg, 3 times a day.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antiplatelet/Anticoagulant: weak interaction
Cat's claw contains rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline. Animal research suggests these alkaloids may inhibit platelet aggregation. This interaction has not been reported in humans.
Antihypertensive: weak interaction
Cat's claw contains rhynchophylline. In vitro and animal research suggests rhynchophylline may lower blood pressure. This interaction has not been reported in humans.
Estrogens: weak interaction
According to animal research, serum estradiol and progesterone levels may be reduced after chronic ingestion of cat's claw. According to in vitro research, cat's claw extract may dose-dependently inhibit progesterone.
Immunosuppressant: weak interaction
Theoretically, cat's claw could interfere with immunosuppressive therapy. Research conducted in humans and in laboratories has shown that cat's claw has immunostimulatory activity. It stimulates phagocytosis and increases respiratory cell activity and leukocyte mobility. Theoretically, this could interfere with the activity of immunosuppressive drugs.
Calcium channel blocker: weak interaction
Cat's claw contains various alkaloids, including rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline, corynoxeine, and isocorynoxine. Animal research suggests that these alkaloids may lower blood pressure by acting as calcium channel blockers. This interaction has not been reported in humans.
Precautions
Autoimmune diseases: avoid
Theoretically, cat's claw could exacerbate certain autoimmune diseases by stimulating disease activity; avoid using it in patients with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, or others.
Parkinson's disease: use with caution
Theoretically, cat's claw could worsen symptoms of Parkinson's disease; use with caution in these patients. There is a case report of worsening motor symptoms, such as tremor and hypokinesia, in a patient with Parkinson's disease taking cat's claw.
Transplant: avoid
Avoid in case of organ transplantation, especially bone marrow.
Contraindications
Pregnant woman: forbidden
Cat's claw could be dangerous due to its traditional use as a contraceptive.
Breastfeeding woman: forbidden
Avoid use due to lack of reliable information.
Child up to 4 years old: forbidden
Forbidden for children under 4 years.
