Devils Claw

What is Devil’s Claw?

Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is a plant native to southern Africa. Its name comes from the small hooks on the plant's fruit. The active ingredients in devil's claw are believed to be iridoid glycosides called harpagosides, which are found in the secondary root.

Traditional Uses of Devil’s Claw

Devil's claw has been used for thousands of years in Africa for fever, rheumatoid arthritis, skin conditions, and conditions involving the gallbladder, pancreas, stomach and kidneys.  In the early 1900's, devil's claw was brought to Europe. It is used to improve digestion, as the bitter taste of devil's claw tea is thought to stimulate digestive juices.

However, the primary use of devil's claw today is for conditions that cause inflammation and pain.

Devil’s Claw Research on Pain Relieve

A German study examined the use of devil's claw for slight to moderate back, neck, and shoulder muscle tension and pain. In the 4-week study, 31 people took 480 mg twice a day and 32 people took a placebo. The results showed there was a significant reduction in pain in the people taking devil's claw compared to the placebo group.

Another study published in the journal Rheumatology compared a devil's claw extract providing 60 mg harpagosides a day and and 12.5 mg a day of the anti-inflammatory Vioxx (now off the market) for 6 weeks in 79 patients with an acute exacerbation of low back pain. Devil's claw was as effective as Vioxx in reducing pain.

Devil’s Claw Research on Osteoarthritis

A study published in the journal Joint Bone Spine compared six 435 mg capsules of powdered devil's claw extract a day (which provides about 60 mg per day of harpagosides) with 100 mg a day of a European osteoarthritis drug called diacerhein in 122 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. After four months, devil's claw was as effective as the diacerhein at relieving pain, improving mobility, and reducing the need for back-up medication (such as anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs).

Devils Claw Research on Arthritis

Devils Claw may also serve as an effective general therapy for rheumatic disorders, working to serve as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic to help treat acute and subacute inflammation.1 In vitro studies have shown devil’s claw can inhibit the expression of COX-2 and iNOS by suppressing NF-kappaB activation;2  it may also decrease production of MMPs.3 An open clinical study conducted by Consulting Herbal Medicinal Products, Rheda-Wiedenbrueck, Germany, assessed the efficacy of devil’s claw on patients with hip or knee OA, finding the extract could reduce pain and improve mobility.4 Another open study performed in the United Kingdom assessed the efficacy of devil’s claw on 259 patients with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions, reporting there were statistically significant improvements in assessment of global pain, stiffness and function, with improvements in quality of life measurements.5

Reference
1. Grant L et al. “A review of the biological and potential therapeutic actions of Harpagophytum procumbens.” Phytother Res. 2007 Mar;21(3):199-209.
2. Huang TH et al. “Harpagoside suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced iNOS and COX-2 expression through inhibition of NF-kappa B activation.” J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Mar 8;104(1-2):149-55.
3. Schulze-Tanzil G, Hansen C, Shakibaei M. “[Effect of a Harpagophytum procumbens DC extract on matrix metalloproteinases in human chondrocytes in vitro][Article in German].” Arzneimittelforschung. 2004;54(4):213-20.
4. Wegener T, Lüpke NP. “Treatment of patients with arthrosis of hip or knee with an aqueous extract of devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens DC.).” Phytother Res. 2003 Dec;17(10):1165-72.
5. Warnock M et al. “Effectiveness and safety of Devil's Claw tablets in patients with general rheumatic disorders.” Phytother Res. 2007 Sep 20; [Epub ahead of print].