Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) Overview

Traditional Uses and Biological Activities

Devil's Claw, a traditional medicine used in southern Africa, is known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It has been utilized to treat arthritis, pain, fever, and digestive issues. The plant contains iridoid glycosides like harpagoside and harpagide, which are the main compounds contributing to its anti-inflammatory effects. Harpagophytum procumbens is preferred over H. zeyheri due to a higher concentration of active ingredients. Despite its benefits, concerns about sustainability due to over-harvesting are noted.

Clinical Evidence and Research

While there is strong clinical evidence suggesting that Devil's Claw may reduce pain, it has not been thoroughly tested in labs or animal models for its antiarthritic potential. The existing evidence points to the need for high-quality clinical trials to confirm the effectiveness of Devil's Claw in managing osteoarthritis (OA) and to establish safety profiles.

Chemical Constituents and Research Techniques

Recent studies have isolated new compounds from Devil's Claw, including iridoid glycosides and triterpenoids, showing anti-inflammatory properties. Advanced techniques such as HPLC-SPE-NMR and HPLC-MS have been used to identify these compounds, marking improvements in natural products research. These methods allow for rapid and accurate identification of secondary metabolites, which is crucial for quality control and ensuring therapeutic efficacy.

Regulatory Aspects and Quality Assurance

The development of standard diagnostic tools like HPLC methods is essential for assuring the quality of Devil's Claw products. Accurate quantification of bioactive compounds like harpagoside is necessary to maintain product efficacy and therapeutic outcomes. Moreover, the study on drug interactions reveals that Devil's Claw preparations are not likely to have a clinically significant effect on CYP function.

Conclusion

Devil's Claw has been shown to possess beneficial properties that may support its traditional use in treating inflammatory conditions. However, comprehensive research and quality trials are required to fully understand its efficacy and safety. The potential for herb-drug interactions and the impact on drug transporters like P-gp are areas that need further exploration to ensure the safe use of Devil's Claw in conjunction with other treatments.

References:

1. Current nutraceuticals in the management of osteoarthritis: a review
2. Iridoid glycosides from Harpagophytum procumbens D.C. (devil's claw)
3. Devil's Claw-a review of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological activity of Harpagophytum procumbens
4. Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens). Also known as 'grapple plant' or 'wood spider'
5. Addendum to the ESCOP monograph on Harpagophytum procumbens
6. Identification of major and minor constituents of Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's claw) using HPLC-SPE-NMR and HPLC-ESIMS/APCIMS
7. Isolation and anti-inflammatory activity evaluation of triterpenoids and a monoterpenoid glycoside from Harpagophytum procumbens
8. New and known iridoid- and phenylethanoid glycosides from Harpagophytum procumbens and their in vitro inhibition of human leukocyte elastase
9. Analysis and stability of the constituents of Curcuma longa and Harpagophytum procumbens tinctures by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-ESI-MS
10. Cholinesterases inhibitory and antioxidant activities of Harpagophytum procumbens from in vitro systems
11. Bioactive metabolite production and stress-related hormones in Devil's claw cell suspension cultures grown in bioreactors
12. Acetylated phenolic glycosides from Harpagophytum procumbens
13. Devil's claw hairy root culture in flasks and in a 3-L bioreactor: bioactive metabolite accumulation and flow cytometry
14. In vitro antiplasmodial activity of abietane and totarane diterpenes isolated from Harpagophytum procumbens (devil's claw)
15. Discovering new natural products directly from crude extracts by HPLC-SPE-NMR: chinane diterpenes in Harpagophytum procumbens
16. Anatomical study of secondary tuberized roots of Harpagophytum procumbens DC and quantification of harpagoside by high-performance liquid chromatography method
17. The interaction potential of herbal medicinal products: a luminescence-based screening platform assessing effects on cytochrome P450 and its use with devil's claw (Harpagophyti radix) preparations
18. Effects of Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) on the multidrug transporter ABCB1/P-glycoprotein
19. Antinociceptive effects of St. John's wort, Harpagophytum procumbens extract and Grape seed proanthocyanidins extract in mice
20. Molecular targets of the antiinflammatory Harpagophytum procumbens (devil's claw): inhibition of TNFα and COX-2 gene expression by preventing activation of AP-1
21. Inhibitory effects of devil's claw (secondary root of Harpagophytum procumbens) extract and harpagoside on cytokine production in mouse macrophages
22. Harpagoside suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced iNOS and COX-2 expression through inhibition of NF-kappa B activation
23. Effect of isolated fractions of Harpagophytum procumbens D.C. (devil's claw) on COX-1, COX-2 activity and nitric oxide production on whole-blood assay
24. Micro-morphometrical assessment of the effect of Harpagophytum procumbens extract on articular cartilage in rabbits with experimental osteoarthritis using magnetic resonance imaging
25. Potential molecular basis of the chondroprotective effect of Harpagophytum procumbens
26. Evaluation of acute and chronic treatments with Harpagophytum procumbens on Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats
27. Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens): no evidence for anti-inflammatory activity in the treatment of arthritic disease
28. Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) as a treatment for osteoarthritis: a review of efficacy and safety
29. Herbal medicine for low back pain: a Cochrane review
30. Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens DC): an evidence-based systematic review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration
31. Comparison of outcome measures during treatment with the proprietary Harpagophytum extract doloteffin in patients with pain in the lower back, knee or hip
32. A randomized double-blind pilot study comparing Doloteffin and Vioxx in the treatment of low back pain
33. A 1-year follow-up after a pilot study with Doloteffin for low back pain
34. Retrospective evaluation of biopsychosocial determinants and treatment response in patients receiving devil's claw extract (doloteffin)
35. Uterotonic effect of Harpagophytum procumbens DC (Pedaliaceae) secondary root aqueous extract on rat isolated uterine horns