Chantre P, Cappelaere A, Leblan D, et al. Efficacy and tolerance or Harpagophytum procumbens versus diacerhein in treatment of osteoarthritis. Phytomedicine 2000;7:177-83. View abstract. Fiebich BL, Heinrich M, Hiller KO, Kammerer N. Inhibition of TNF-alpha synthesis in LPS-stimulated primary human monocytes by Harpagophytum extract SteiHap 69. Phytomedicine 2001;8:28-30.. View abstract. Some common proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium). Krieger D, Krieger S, Jansen O, et al. Manganese and chronic hepatic encephalopathy. Lancet 1995;346:270-4. View abstract.

Bhattacharya A and Bhattacharya SK. Anti-oxidative activity of Harpagophytum procumbens. Br J Phytother 1998;72:68-71. Teut, M. and Warning, A. [Bone metastases in breast carcinoma]. Forsch Komplement.Med (2006.) 2006;13(1):46-48. View abstract. The doctor is careful here to draw conclusions, as a two-patient observation of regression is not solid scientific evidence that devil’s claw can treat or cure cancer. In some research, some 16 percent of lymphoma patients have spontaneous regression of their cancer. However, the physician found the timing curious enough to suggest more studies be done on the potential for devil’s claw to support cancer treatment for follicular lymphoma patients. ( 17 ) The plant is named after its fruit, which is covered in spikes that resemble the talons on a claw (quite a devilish one, apparently!).Devil’s claw benefits may also include weight management, reducing chronic inflammation and preventing oxidative stress. According to a Japanese study in 2010, devil’s claw (particularly the harpagoside compound) caused a significant reduction of arthritic inflammation in a group of mice. ( 5 ) It’s possible devil’s claw may interact with certain medications. Consult your doctor before starting devil’s claw if you take other medications regularly.

There don’t seem to be any negative side effects of taking devil’s claw. There have been some reports of mild gastrointestinal issues, however. Are there any contraindications when taking devil’s claw? A fairly large body of research has been done on the ability of devil’s claw to relieve arthritis pain. Results show that it likely does relieve this pain. Kundu, J. K., Mossanda, K. S., Na, H. K., and Surh, Y. J. Inhibitory effects of the extracts of Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) R. Br. and Harpagophytum procumbens DC. on phorbol ester-induced COX-2 expression in mouse skin: AP-1 and CREB as potential upstream targets. Cancer Lett. 1-31-2005;218(1):21-31. View abstract.

Where can I get devil’s claw?

Ernst, E. and Chrubasik, S. Phyto-anti-inflammatories. A systematic review of randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials. Rheum.Dis Clin North Am 2000;26(1):13-27, vii. View abstract. Common medications may also negatively interact with devil’s claw, including prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blood thinners and stomach acid reducers ( 31): If you are taking blood-thinning medications see your GP before taking devil’s claw as it may interact with your meds.

While the research here is in its infancy, there is surprising evidence that devil’s claw may somehow help to impact follicular lymphoma . Chrubasik S, Sporer F, Dillmann-Marschner R, et al. Physicochemical properties of harpagoside and its in vitro release from Harpagophytum procumbens extract tablets. Phytomedicine 2000;6:469-73. View abstract. Pinget, M. and Lecomte, A. The effect of Harpagophytum Arkocaps in degenerative rheumatism [in German]. Naturheilpraxis 1997;50:267-269. A study published in the journal Phytomedicine in 2002 found that patients with hip or knee arthritis taking a supplement containing devil’s claw over eight weeks saw a 54% and 39% improvement respectively in their pain levels. 11 SummaryWegener T, Lupke NP. Treatment of patients with arthrosis of hip or knee with an aqueous extract of devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens DC). Phytother Res 2003;17:1165-72. View abstract. Three studies (two of which were considered to be of high quality) compared devil’s claw with a placebo. Participants who were given devil’s claw had a significant improvement in osteoarthritis-related pain compared to those who were on a placebo. Often, it is hypothesized that devil’s claw benefits originate from the valuable iridoid glucosides it contains, including harpagoside . Iridoids are anti-inflammatory compounds found mostly in plants and are bound to glucose molecules. This is why the whole compound is called an iridoid glucoside . ( 3 ) Devil’s claw root, according to the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP), should contain at least one percent harpagoside. Another underdeveloped area of study on devil’s claw benefits is the way it might help treat a group of kidney diseases known as glomerular diseases . These illnesses are inflammation-related and refer to diseases that injure the kidney’s tiny filters that clean the blood.