What Is Devil’s Claw?
Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is a famous medicinal plant in South Africa. It is a flowering desert plant of the sesame family with pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. It is mostly used for treating osteoarthritis and back pain. The plant has no odor, and the plant preparations are bitter. It is a weedy, spreading, leafy perennial with round to oval-shaped stems. Leaves have a grey-green color with white undersides. The plant has branching shoots and roots.
Secondary roots that grow from the main root (tubers) are also present. The plant’s tuber and root are used for the medicinal preparations. The devil’s claw roots, Harpagophyti radix, are collected at the end of the rainy season. Dried or fresh roots of devil’s claw are available in tablets, capsules, topical ointment, and liquid extracts.
Devil’s Claw’s anti-inflammatory effects are due to the presence of an iridoid glycoside called Harpagide. It restricts the production of inflammatory cytokines like TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor) and interleukins. Mice studies suggest that harpagide prevents bone loss by stimulating osteoblast differentiation and suppressing osteoclast formation.
The plant’s name, including its scientific name, relates to the appearance of its hooked fruit. The Greek word “Harpagos” refers to “grappling hook” and “phyton” means plant.
What Are the Uses?
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Osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis in which the joint tissues break down over time; it is common in the elderly. The condition results in limitation of movement, joint pain, and tenderness. Studies suggest that when taken for eight to twelve weeks, devil's claw relieves pain and improves physical functioning in osteoarthritis patients. A comparative study was conducted on 122 individuals affected with hip and knee osteoarthritis, in which Devil’s Claw was compared with another European medication for pain relief. The study concluded that those individuals who took Devil’s Claw had pain relief comparable to those who took the medication. Moreover, it was found that the individuals who took devil’s claw had fewer side effects.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory illness that affects the lining of the joints and leads to joint deformity and bone degradation. In vitro studies suggest that devil’s claw root tuber extracts effectively reduce rheumatoid inflammation by suppressing proinflammatory mediators.
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Neck And Back Pain:
Studies suggest that devil’s claw is beneficial in relieving low back pain and neck pain. Comparative studies compared the pain-relieving effect of devil’s claw and rofecoxib and found that both were equally effective.
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Ulcerative Colitis:
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory illness of the digestive tract. The colon lining gets inflamed, resulting in small pores or ulcers. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, anemia, fatigue, etc.; studies suggest that devil’s claw root tuber extract reduces inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis by inhibiting proinflammatory mediators like oxidative stress, prostaglandins, etc. The effects produced were found to be comparable to sulfasalazine.
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Other Uses:
Other conditions in which devil’s claw is used (no definitive studies to support effectiveness) include:
- Headache.
- Allergies.
- Fever.
- Loss of appetite.
- Menstrual cramps.
- Indigestion.
- Irregular periods.
- Muscle pain.
- Topical application for wound healing.
What Are the Side Effects?
Devil’s claw is considered possibly safe if consumed by an adult individual orally for up to 12 weeks. The frequent side effects are indigestion and diarrhea. Other possible side effects are nausea, vomiting, loss of taste, stomach pain, ringing in the ear, etc. Uncommon side effects include allergic skin reactions, blood pressure changes, and menstrual issues.
There is no reliable information on the safety of the devil’s claw when used topically.
What Are the Precautions to Be Taken?
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Pregnancy - The devil’s claw may harm the developing fetus and be unsafe during pregnancy. So, it is advisable to avoid devil’s claw during pregnancy.
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Gallstones - Devil’s claw may increase bile production and, therefore, could be a problem for those with gallstones. Hence, devil’s claw is not advised in such patients.
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Breastfeeding - There is no reliable data on the safety of the devil’s claw during breastfeeding. So, to be on the safer side, avoid using devil’s claw during breastfeeding.
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Low Sodium Level in the Body - There is a chance that devil’s claw may reduce sodium levels in the body, thus worsening the symptoms of those individuals who already have a low sodium level.
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Heart and Circulation Problems - Devil’s claw may affect blood pressure, heart rate, and heartbeat. So, it may be harmful to those individuals having heart and circulatory issues.
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Peptic Ulcers - Devil’s claw may increase stomach acid production, thus worsening the condition of those having stomach ulcers. Hence, the devil’s claw should be avoided in such cases.
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Children- Devil’s Claw is not recommended for children as there is no data on safety information.
What Are the Drug Interactions?
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Warfarin - Warfarin is an anti-coagulant that slows down blood clotting. Devil’s claw may increase the effect of warfarin, resulting in bleeding and bruises.
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Medications Metabolized by Liver- The liver breaks down certain medications; the devil’s claw interferes with this, affecting how quickly the drug is metabolized. Thus, the beneficial effects and adverse effects of the medication change.
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Proton Pump Inhibitors - Proton pump inhibitors decrease stomach acids, and Devil’s Claw increases acid production, which can lower the effects of proton pump inhibitors like Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, etc.
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H2 Blockers - H2 blockers are used for decreasing stomach acids, and Devil’s Claw increases acid production, which can lower the effects of H2 blockers like Ranitidine, Famotidine, etc.
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Medications Transported by Pumps in Cells (P Glycoprotein Substrate) - Pumps transport certain medications in and out of cells. Devil’s claw might affect the functioning of these pumps, thus altering the effects of the medication.
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There are no known interactions of the devil’s claw with food, herbs, or supplements.
Conclusion
Devil’s Claw, a popular native plant of South Africa, has been used for its medicinal properties. Studies suggest that the root tuber extract has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, which are useful in the case of arthritis. However, there is no reliable data on the safety of the plant.
