INGREDIENTS
Cat's claw contains quinovic acid glycosides and six known oxindole alkaloids such as
isopteropodine, pteropodine, isomitraphylline, mitraphlline, isocynochophylline and
rychophylline.[18]
SIDE EFFECTS OF CAT's CLAW
Cat's claw has been used for a long time. Cat's claw and its supplments appear to be safe
and well-tolerated in various studies. The side effects of cat's claw were found to be minor
,while the studies demonstrated relative safety and modest benefit of cat's claw to various
conditions such as tender joints and knee pain. [14,16] Cat's claw benefits may result from
their ability to inhibit TNFalpha and to a lesser extent PGE2 production, i.e.
anti-inflammantion. [16]
CAT's CLAW SUPPLEMENTS
NOW Cat's Claw 5000 Now Foods claims that this product is a natural extract of the
highest quality inner bark of authentic Uncaria tomentosa from Peruvian Rainforest. Also
called Una de Gato, it has been used for hundreds of years by the native Ashanica Indians.
Cat's Claw 5000 is a concentrated water and alcohol extract standardized to contain a
minimum of 3% total alkaloids and 15% total polyphenols. The serving size is 1 capsule.
Each serving contain 5000 mg of cat's claw (uncaria tomentosa) [334 mg of 15:1
standardized extract equivalent to Natural Bark].
Cat's Claw Extract, Jarrow, 500 mg The label of this product claims to have 500 mg of cat's
claw (6:1 extract) (from inner bark) in each capsule. The label suggests to take 1-4 cat's
claw capsules per day and dissolve capsule in hot water for best bioavailability.
Cat's Claw Defense Complex, Source Naturals. Not sure why.. this product combines a lot
of different herbs and nutrients. The label claims this combination is to support the immune
system.
RESEARCH STUDIES
ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITIES
Cat's claw may offer multiple health benefits. Researchers have demonstrated that its
benefits on chemoprevention are related to its main component-C-Med-100.
C-MED-100 Sheng Y and co-workers from Lund University, Sweden, demonstrated that
C-Med-100, the main active ingredient of Cat's claw, could inhibit cell growth without cell
death, leading to DNA repair, immune stimulation, anti-inflammation and cancer prevention.
[6] On the other hand, Akesson C et al at Lund University, Sweden, provided direct evidence
that C-Med 100 inhibited nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) activity and proposed that this
at least partially caused the inhibition of proliferation. They have demonstrated that a hot
water Cat's claw extract could inhibit T and B lymphocyte proliferation. This extract also did
not interfere with IL-2 production nor IL-2 receptor signaling. They further suggested that
retarded cell cycle progression caused the proliferation inhibition. [7]
Cat's claw contains quinovic acid glycosides and six known oxindole alkaloids such as
isopteropodine, pteropodine, isomitraphylline, mitraphlline, isocynochophylline and
rychophylline.[18]
SIDE EFFECTS OF CAT's CLAW
Cat's claw has been used for a long time. Cat's claw and its supplments appear to be safe
and well-tolerated in various studies. The side effects of cat's claw were found to be minor
,while the studies demonstrated relative safety and modest benefit of cat's claw to various
conditions such as tender joints and knee pain. [14,16] Cat's claw benefits may result from
their ability to inhibit TNFalpha and to a lesser extent PGE2 production, i.e.
anti-inflammantion. [16]
CAT's CLAW SUPPLEMENTS
NOW Cat's Claw 5000 Now Foods claims that this product is a natural extract of the
highest quality inner bark of authentic Uncaria tomentosa from Peruvian Rainforest. Also
called Una de Gato, it has been used for hundreds of years by the native Ashanica Indians.
Cat's Claw 5000 is a concentrated water and alcohol extract standardized to contain a
minimum of 3% total alkaloids and 15% total polyphenols. The serving size is 1 capsule.
Each serving contain 5000 mg of cat's claw (uncaria tomentosa) [334 mg of 15:1
standardized extract equivalent to Natural Bark].
Cat's Claw Extract, Jarrow, 500 mg The label of this product claims to have 500 mg of cat's
claw (6:1 extract) (from inner bark) in each capsule. The label suggests to take 1-4 cat's
claw capsules per day and dissolve capsule in hot water for best bioavailability.
Cat's Claw Defense Complex, Source Naturals. Not sure why.. this product combines a lot
of different herbs and nutrients. The label claims this combination is to support the immune
system.
RESEARCH STUDIES
ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITIES
Cat's claw may offer multiple health benefits. Researchers have demonstrated that its
benefits on chemoprevention are related to its main component-C-Med-100.
C-MED-100 Sheng Y and co-workers from Lund University, Sweden, demonstrated that
C-Med-100, the main active ingredient of Cat's claw, could inhibit cell growth without cell
death, leading to DNA repair, immune stimulation, anti-inflammation and cancer prevention.
[6] On the other hand, Akesson C et al at Lund University, Sweden, provided direct evidence
that C-Med 100 inhibited nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) activity and proposed that this
at least partially caused the inhibition of proliferation. They have demonstrated that a hot
water Cat's claw extract could inhibit T and B lymphocyte proliferation. This extract also did
not interfere with IL-2 production nor IL-2 receptor signaling. They further suggested that
retarded cell cycle progression caused the proliferation inhibition. [7]
A TEST-TUBE STUDY Riva L et al investigated the effects of Cat's claw extracts on the growth
of a human breast cancer cell line (MCF7). Their data indicated that, in addition to the
antimutagenic activity, U. tomentosa extracts and fractions exert a direct antiproliferative
activity on MCF7. The bioassay-directed fractionation from barks and leaves resulted in the
isolation of two active fractions, which displayed an IC50 of 10 mg/ml and 20 mg/ml,
respectively and an antiproliferative effect, with about 90% of inhibition at a concentration of
100 mg/ml. [8]
ANTI-INFLAMMATION
Cisneros FJ et al, North Carolina A & T State University, USA found that cat's claw extract
appeared to prevent O(3)-induced respiratory inflammation in male mice. [9] While, Aguilar JL
et al at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru, found that the anti-inflammatory activity
was significantly higher using the hydroalcoholic compared with the aqueous extract . The
extracts also showed little inhibitory activity on cyclooxygenase-1 and -2.[10]
IMMUNO-MODULATION
Winkler C et al, University of Innsbruck, Austria, determined the effects of two Cat's claw
extracts and two pure alkaloid preparations of uncaria tomentosa on peripheral blood
mononuclear cells in vitro. Their studies suggested that the immuno-biochemical modulation of
Cat's claw (uncaria tomentosa) extracts is related to interferon-gamma [11]
Sandoval M et al, Albany Medical College, New York, prepared cat's claw water extraction. They
used murine macrophages in cytotoxicity assays in response to the free radical 1, 1-diphenyl-2-
picrilhydrazyl (DPPH, 0.3 microM) and ultraviolet light (UV) light. They induced TNFalpha
production by lipopolysaccharide. They found cat's claw was an effective scavenger of DPPH.
Cat's claw (10 microg/ml freeze-dried) was fully protective against DPPH and UV irradiation-
induced cytotoxicity. Cat's claw could also suppress TNFalpha production. They concluded that
cat's claw is an effective antioxidant and it is a potent inhibitor of TNFalpha production. And,
this suppression o TNFalpha synthesis is the primary mechanism for cat's claw anti-
inflammatory actions or immuno-modulation. [12]
LEUKOPENIA - CAT's CLAW
Akesson Ch et al at Lund University, Sweden found a dose-dependent increase in spleen cell
numbers in the supplemented mice (with Cat's claw extract, C-Med 100), but the proportions
of B cells, T cells, NK cells, granulocytes, and memory lymphocytes were normal. They
interrupted the treatment, the cellularity returned to normal level within four weeks. They
considered that the accumulation was due to prolonged cell survival. They concluded that C-
Med 100 treatment significantly prolonged lymphocyte survival and suggested to use C-Med
100 (main active ingredient of Cat's claw) to accelerate the recovery of patients suffered from
leukopenia. [13]
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Mur E et al, Innsbruck University Hospital, Austria conducted a Randomized double blind trial
of an extract from the pentacyclic alkaloid-chemotype of uncaria tomentosa for the treatment
of rheumatoid arthritis. They found patients receiving the Cat's claw extract only during the
second phase experienced a reduction in the number of painful (p = 0.003) and swollen joints
(p = 0.007) and the Ritchie Index (p = 0.004) compared to the values after 24 weeks of
placebo. Only minor side effects were observed. [14]
GUT EPITHELIAL CELL PROTECTION
Miller MJ et al at Albany Medical College, New York, evaluated the potential use of ascorbic
acid, green tea and Cat's claw to limit cell death in response to oxidants. They exposed
cultured human gastric epithelial cells or murine small intestinal epithelial cells to oxidants such
as DPPH, H2O2 and peroxynitrite and then incubate them with antioxidants. They determined
the cell death via apoptosis or necrosis. They found that green tea and Cat's claw were
equally protective against peroxynitrite and H2O2 and green tea was more effective than cat's
claw in reducing DPPH-induced apoptosis.[
..cat's claw. [15]
OSTEOARTHRITIS
Piscoya J et al, Facultad de Medicina, Lima, concluded that cat's claw is an effective treatment
for osteoarthritis in a trial of 45 patients. The species, U guianensis and U tomentosa are
equiactive. Both cat's claw species are effective antioxidants, but their anti-inflammatory
properties may result from their ability to inhibit TNFalpha and to a lesser extent PGE2
production. [16]
DNA REPAIR
Sheng Y et al, University of Lund, Sweden, fed four healthy adult males with C-MED-100 (main
active ingredient of Cat's claw) daily at 5 mg/kg for 6 consecutive weeks. They didn't observed
any toxicity. However, they found elevated amount of WBC. They irradiated rats and they
found repair of DNA single and double strand breaks after MED-100 (main active ingredient of
Cat's claw) treatment [17]
NOTE
THE INFORMATION ABOVE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. MORE RESEARCH STUDIES ARE NEEDED TO CONFIRM
SOME FINDINGS ABOVE. HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS CANNOT REPLACE ANY MEDICINE.
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR, IF YOU HAVE ANY HEALTH PROBLEMS.
References
1. Rizzi R, Re F, Bianchi A, et al. ..Cat's claw.., J Ethnopharmacol 1993;38:63–77.2.2. Keplinger H.. Cat's claw.., US Patent
no. 5,302,611, April 12, 1994.3. Aquino R, De Feo V, De Simone F, et al. cat's claw..., J Nat Prod 1991;54:453–9.4. Rizzi R,
Re F, Bianchi A, et al. cat's claw... J Ethnopharmacol 1993;38:63–77.5. Piscoya J, Rodriguez Z, Bustamante SA, et al. cat's
claw...Inflamm Res 2001;50:442–8. [6] J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jan 15;96(3):577-84. Epub 2004 Dec 08]. [7] Int
Immunopharmacol. 2003 Dec;3(13-14):1889-900] [8] Anticancer Res. 2001 Jul-Aug;21(4A):2457-61.[9] J Ethnopharmacol.
2005 Jan 15;96(3):355-64.[10] [J Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Jul;81(2):271-6].v[.12].Cat Claw....Free Radic Biol Med. 2000 Jul 1;29
(1):71-8]. [.13]..cat's claw...Phytomedicine. 2003 Jan;10(1):23-33].[14] J Rheumatol. 2002 Apr;29(4):678-81.][15]BMC
Complement Altern Med. 2001;1(1):11. Epub 2001 Dec][16] Cat's claw.. Inflamm Res. 2001 Sep;50(9):442-8][17]...cat's claw..J
Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Feb;69(2):115-26] . [18] Cat's Claw Extract, Jarrow, 500 mg, 100 caps, iherb.com, online publication.
October 15, 2005.
of a human breast cancer cell line (MCF7). Their data indicated that, in addition to the
antimutagenic activity, U. tomentosa extracts and fractions exert a direct antiproliferative
activity on MCF7. The bioassay-directed fractionation from barks and leaves resulted in the
isolation of two active fractions, which displayed an IC50 of 10 mg/ml and 20 mg/ml,
respectively and an antiproliferative effect, with about 90% of inhibition at a concentration of
100 mg/ml. [8]
ANTI-INFLAMMATION
Cisneros FJ et al, North Carolina A & T State University, USA found that cat's claw extract
appeared to prevent O(3)-induced respiratory inflammation in male mice. [9] While, Aguilar JL
et al at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru, found that the anti-inflammatory activity
was significantly higher using the hydroalcoholic compared with the aqueous extract . The
extracts also showed little inhibitory activity on cyclooxygenase-1 and -2.[10]
IMMUNO-MODULATION
Winkler C et al, University of Innsbruck, Austria, determined the effects of two Cat's claw
extracts and two pure alkaloid preparations of uncaria tomentosa on peripheral blood
mononuclear cells in vitro. Their studies suggested that the immuno-biochemical modulation of
Cat's claw (uncaria tomentosa) extracts is related to interferon-gamma [11]
Sandoval M et al, Albany Medical College, New York, prepared cat's claw water extraction. They
used murine macrophages in cytotoxicity assays in response to the free radical 1, 1-diphenyl-2-
picrilhydrazyl (DPPH, 0.3 microM) and ultraviolet light (UV) light. They induced TNFalpha
production by lipopolysaccharide. They found cat's claw was an effective scavenger of DPPH.
Cat's claw (10 microg/ml freeze-dried) was fully protective against DPPH and UV irradiation-
induced cytotoxicity. Cat's claw could also suppress TNFalpha production. They concluded that
cat's claw is an effective antioxidant and it is a potent inhibitor of TNFalpha production. And,
this suppression o TNFalpha synthesis is the primary mechanism for cat's claw anti-
inflammatory actions or immuno-modulation. [12]
LEUKOPENIA - CAT's CLAW
Akesson Ch et al at Lund University, Sweden found a dose-dependent increase in spleen cell
numbers in the supplemented mice (with Cat's claw extract, C-Med 100), but the proportions
of B cells, T cells, NK cells, granulocytes, and memory lymphocytes were normal. They
interrupted the treatment, the cellularity returned to normal level within four weeks. They
considered that the accumulation was due to prolonged cell survival. They concluded that C-
Med 100 treatment significantly prolonged lymphocyte survival and suggested to use C-Med
100 (main active ingredient of Cat's claw) to accelerate the recovery of patients suffered from
leukopenia. [13]
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Mur E et al, Innsbruck University Hospital, Austria conducted a Randomized double blind trial
of an extract from the pentacyclic alkaloid-chemotype of uncaria tomentosa for the treatment
of rheumatoid arthritis. They found patients receiving the Cat's claw extract only during the
second phase experienced a reduction in the number of painful (p = 0.003) and swollen joints
(p = 0.007) and the Ritchie Index (p = 0.004) compared to the values after 24 weeks of
placebo. Only minor side effects were observed. [14]
GUT EPITHELIAL CELL PROTECTION
Miller MJ et al at Albany Medical College, New York, evaluated the potential use of ascorbic
acid, green tea and Cat's claw to limit cell death in response to oxidants. They exposed
cultured human gastric epithelial cells or murine small intestinal epithelial cells to oxidants such
as DPPH, H2O2 and peroxynitrite and then incubate them with antioxidants. They determined
the cell death via apoptosis or necrosis. They found that green tea and Cat's claw were
equally protective against peroxynitrite and H2O2 and green tea was more effective than cat's
claw in reducing DPPH-induced apoptosis.[
..cat's claw. [15]
OSTEOARTHRITIS
Piscoya J et al, Facultad de Medicina, Lima, concluded that cat's claw is an effective treatment
for osteoarthritis in a trial of 45 patients. The species, U guianensis and U tomentosa are
equiactive. Both cat's claw species are effective antioxidants, but their anti-inflammatory
properties may result from their ability to inhibit TNFalpha and to a lesser extent PGE2
production. [16]
DNA REPAIR
Sheng Y et al, University of Lund, Sweden, fed four healthy adult males with C-MED-100 (main
active ingredient of Cat's claw) daily at 5 mg/kg for 6 consecutive weeks. They didn't observed
any toxicity. However, they found elevated amount of WBC. They irradiated rats and they
found repair of DNA single and double strand breaks after MED-100 (main active ingredient of
Cat's claw) treatment [17]
NOTE
THE INFORMATION ABOVE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. MORE RESEARCH STUDIES ARE NEEDED TO CONFIRM
SOME FINDINGS ABOVE. HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS CANNOT REPLACE ANY MEDICINE.
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR, IF YOU HAVE ANY HEALTH PROBLEMS.
References
1. Rizzi R, Re F, Bianchi A, et al. ..Cat's claw.., J Ethnopharmacol 1993;38:63–77.2.2. Keplinger H.. Cat's claw.., US Patent
no. 5,302,611, April 12, 1994.3. Aquino R, De Feo V, De Simone F, et al. cat's claw..., J Nat Prod 1991;54:453–9.4. Rizzi R,
Re F, Bianchi A, et al. cat's claw... J Ethnopharmacol 1993;38:63–77.5. Piscoya J, Rodriguez Z, Bustamante SA, et al. cat's
claw...Inflamm Res 2001;50:442–8. [6] J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jan 15;96(3):577-84. Epub 2004 Dec 08]. [7] Int
Immunopharmacol. 2003 Dec;3(13-14):1889-900] [8] Anticancer Res. 2001 Jul-Aug;21(4A):2457-61.[9] J Ethnopharmacol.
2005 Jan 15;96(3):355-64.[10] [J Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Jul;81(2):271-6].v[.12].Cat Claw....Free Radic Biol Med. 2000 Jul 1;29
(1):71-8]. [.13]..cat's claw...Phytomedicine. 2003 Jan;10(1):23-33].[14] J Rheumatol. 2002 Apr;29(4):678-81.][15]BMC
Complement Altern Med. 2001;1(1):11. Epub 2001 Dec][16] Cat's claw.. Inflamm Res. 2001 Sep;50(9):442-8][17]...cat's claw..J
Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Feb;69(2):115-26] . [18] Cat's Claw Extract, Jarrow, 500 mg, 100 caps, iherb.com, online publication.
October 15, 2005.
| About Cat's Claw.... Cat's claw grows in the rain forests of the Andes Mountains in South America. South American use cat's claw to treat medicine for treating intestinal complaints, gastric ulcers, arthritis, and to promote wound healing. People also believe that cat's claw can help cancer [1]. In vitro studies, cat's claw stimulated immune function [2] and cat's claw may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities [3,4]. In a clinical trial, Cat's claw is found to relieve pain and improve the overall conditions for arthritis [5]. |
CAT's CLAW benefits and side effects, research finds,
zhion@zhion.com updated on Feb , 2008
zhion@zhion.com updated on Feb , 2008
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