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Ccl8.0
Cat's Claw Research
Mixed evidenceModerate safety
33 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Mixed evidence
Studies are split: Cat's Claw helped in 1 of 3 cases, with the rest inconclusive or showing no benefit.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2000–2025 with a typical study size of 40 participants.
Based on 33 studies · 1 meta-analysis · 4 RCTs · 280 total participants
Confidence
Moderate
What the studies found
1helped2unclear· 30 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Joint pain & arthritis
Mostly mechanism / observational20 studies
Immune supportEnhanced immune function · 2-4 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational9 studies
InflammationReduced joint pain and inflammation · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational7 studies
Therapeutic & clinical
Mostly mechanism / observational7 studies
Safety profile
Mostly mechanism / observational7 studies
Skin health
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Energy & fatigue
Too few graded studies1 study
Neuroprotection & brain aging
Too few graded studies1 study
By the numbers
Pulled from 30 studies with measurable effects
Likely real effects
100%
across studies
People studied
280
typical study: 40 people
Strongest designs
5
1 pooled, 4 randomised
Showed benefit
33%
1/3 studies
How long studies ran
1–3 months
1
Populations Studied
General population3
Women with early breast cancer taking aromatase inhibitors1
Patients with knee osteoarthritis1
Patients with Alzheimer's disease or pre-Alzheimer's disease1
Steady research
8 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2022
The present work emphasizes the current pharmacological properties of Uncaria tomentosa, evidencing its therapeutic benefits and encouraging further research on this medicinal plant.
Marques O et al. · International journal of molecular sciences (2025)
The present paper reviews research progress relating to the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Ut, and some promising research routes are also discussed.
We highlight the centrality of its different biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antiviral, and antinociceptive, among others.
The present work emphasizes the current pharmacological properties of Uncaria tomentosa, evidencing its therapeutic benefits and encouraging further research on this medicinal plant.
2Grip strengthMeta-AnalysisCited 21×n=137 · medium study2022
AIMSS are chronic and complex symptoms with a significant impact on women with early breast cancer taking AI.
Roberts KE et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2022)
No clear effect
← WorseNo effectBetter →
The two studies, investigating vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, showed a treatment effect with 95% CIs that did not include an MCID for pain.
Systemic therapies may have little to no effect on grip strength (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.37 to 3.17; 1 study, 137 women) or on women continuing to take their AI (RR 0.16, 95% 0.01 to 2.99; 1 study, 147 women).
The evidence suggests little to no effect on HRQoL and BCS-QoL from baseline to the end of intervention (the same single study; 44 women, both quality of life outcomes showed a treatment effect with 95% CIs that did include an MCID).
3Anti-inflammatory effects and cytokine modulationSystematic ReviewCited 2×2025
These findings highlight the immense potential of bioactive compounds from tropical American plants as modulators of immune-inflammatory pathways, providing a foundation for developing effective therapeutic agents to counteract the severe effects of cytokine storms.
Plazas E et al. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2025)
Key polyphenols, like quercetin and luteolin, found in plants such as Achyrocline satureioides and Mangifera indica demonstrate the downregulation of NF-κB and inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Alkaloids, such as berberine and mitraphylline, isolated from Berberis species and Uncaria tomentosa, respectively, have shown potent effects in suppressing nitric oxide production and regulating inflammasomes.
Terpenoids, including parthenolide from Tanacetum parthenium and curcumol from Curcuma longa, exhibit multitarget activity, reducing cytokine levels and inhibiting key inflammatory enzymes like COX-2 and iNOS.
5Neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer's diseaseSystematic ReviewCited 115×2021
It is hoped that these medicinal plants can be used in drug discovery programs for identifying safe and efficacious small molecules for AD.
Gregory J et al. · Biomolecules (2021)
Methods-This article systematically reviews recent studies that have investigated the role of neuroprotective herbs and their bioactive compounds for dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease and pre-Alzheimer's disease.
PubMed Central, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases of articles were collected, and abstracts were reviewed for relevance to the subject matter.
Conclusions-Medicinal plants have great potential as part of an overall program in the prevention and treatment of cognitive decline associated with AD.
6Biological activities of oxindole derivativesSystematic ReviewCited 150×2021
Oxindole has been shown to be a pharmacologically advantageous scaffold having many biological properties that are relevant to medicinal chemistry.
Khetmalis YM et al. · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie (2021)
Oxindole has been shown to be a pharmacologically advantageous scaffold having many biological properties that are relevant to medicinal chemistry.
The simplicity and widespread occurrence of this scaffold in plant-based alkaloids have further reinforced oxindole's merit in the domain of novel drug discovery.
The role of oxindole as a chemical scaffold for fabricating and designing biological drugs agents can be ascribed to its ability to be modified by a number of chemical groups to generate novel biological functions.
8Dietary supplement interactions with antiretroviralsSystematic ReviewCited 21×2017
This systematic review shows the importance of screening all human immunodeficiency virus patients for dietary supplement use to prevent treatment failure or adverse effects related to an interaction.
Jalloh MA et al. · International journal of STD & AIDS (2017)
John's wort, vitamin C, zinc sulfate, and multivitamins were all found to significantly decrease the levels of selected antiretrovirals and should be avoided in patients taking these antiretrovirals.
Cat's claw and evening primrose oil were found to significantly increase the levels of antiretrovirals and patients should be monitored for adverse effects while taking these dietary supplements with antiretrovirals.
Calcium carbonate, ferrous fumarate, some forms of ginkgo, some forms of garlic, some forms of milk thistle, St.
9Immunomodulatory effects in breast cancerSystematic ReviewCited 33×2017
This systematic-review examined the effects of Cat's Claw.
Baraya YS et al. · Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry (2017)
Medicinal plants such as Glycyrrhiza glabra, Uncaria tomentosa, Camellia sinensis, Panax ginseng, Prunus armenaica (apricot), Allium sativum, Arctium lappa and Curcuma longa were reported to hold strong potential in breast cancer treatment in various parts of the world.
Interestingly, research findings have shown that these plants possess bioactive immunomodulators as their main constituents producing the anticancer effects.
These immunomodulatory compounds include ajoene, arctigenin, β-carotene, curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, ginsan, glabridin and quinic acid.
10Pharmacological activities of oxindole derivativesSystematic ReviewCited 173×2016
Oxindole has emerged as a valuable scaffold in medicinal chemistry possessing diverse range of pharmacological activities.
Kaur M et al. · European journal of medicinal chemistry (2016)
Oxindole has emerged as a valuable scaffold in medicinal chemistry possessing diverse range of pharmacological activities.
Additionally, information regarding the oxindole derivatives in clinical trials has been incorporated.
Thus, this review will provide insights for the synthetic as well as medicinal chemist for the designing and synthesis of novel oxindole derivatives with novel improved range of pharmacological implications.
For each of these plants, information about their traditional uses and current commercialization is also included.
Lock O et al. · Natural product communications (2000)
It is estimated that there are as many as 1400 plant species currently used in traditional Peruvian medicine; however, only a few have undergone scientific investigation.
In this paper, we make a review of the botanical, chemical, pharmacological and clinical propierties of the most investigated Peruvian medicinal plants.
For each of these plants, information about their traditional uses and current commercialization is also included.
Strategies to minimize nephrotoxicity include (1) quality control and standardization of herbal products, (2) research on the molecular modes of action to better understand pathophysiological mechanisms of herbal products as well as (3) clinical trials to demonstrate efficacy and safety.
Allard T et al. · Current medicinal chemistry (2013)
Other herbal therapies are considered to affect the rennin-angiotensisn-aldosterone (RAA) system Ephedra sinica Stapf with its ingredient ephedrine.
Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens DC.
Ex Meisn.) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) may inhibit major renal transport processes needed for filtration, secretion, and absorption.
13Pharmacokinetic interactions between antiretrovirals and medicinal plantsSystematic ReviewCited 41×2011
However, several issues/concerns still remain to be addressed and thus more studies on ATMs are warranted in order for more meaningful data to be generated and the true potential for such interactions to be determined.
Müller AC et al. · Biopharmaceutics & drug disposition (2011)
Other in vitro studies have shown that several African traditional medicinal (ATM) plants and extracts may also demonstrate PK interactions with ARVs, through effects on CYP3A4, P-gp and PXR.
The most complex effects were exhibited by Hypoxis hemerocallidea, Sutherlandia frutescens, Cyphostemma hildebrandtii, Acacia nilotica, Agauria salicifolia and Elaeodendron buchananii.
Despite a high incidence of HIV/AIDs in the African region, only one clinical study, between efavirenz and Hypoxis hemerocallidea has been conducted.
The clinical relevance of this therapy as a viable modality of intervention will be discussed.
Hardin SR · Complementary therapies in clinical practice (2007)
Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianesis) is a medicinal plant from the Amazon commonly used to treat disorders such as arthritis, gastritis and osteoarthritis.
The mechanism of cat's claw appears to be as an inhibitor of TNFalpha and antioxidant.
Understanding the processes in osteoarthritis may facilitate and clarify the potential role of cat's claw as a complementary therapy to assist in the reduction of pro-inflammatory mediators and effectors.
16Anti-cancer potential of Peruvian medicinal plantsSystematic ReviewCited 52×2006
In addition, this review will discuss areas requiring future study and the inherent limitations in their experimental use as anti-cancer agents.
Gonzales GF et al. · Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry (2006)
No clear effect
← WorseNo effectBetter →
An analysis of new and approved drugs for cancer by the United States Food and Drug Administration over the period of 1981-2002 showed that 62% of these cancer drugs were of natural origin.
A number of native Andean and Amazonian medicines of plant origin are used as traditional medicine in Peru to treat different diseases.
Against this background, we present an evidence-based analysis of the chemistry, biological properties, and anti-tumor activities for these three plant materials.
17Cytokine modulation by herbal medicinesSystematic ReviewCited 177×2006
The in vitro and in vivo research demonstrates that the reviewed botanical medicines modulate the secretion of multiple cytokines.
Spelman K et al. · Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic (2006)
The in vitro and in vivo research demonstrates that the reviewed botanical medicines modulate the secretion of multiple cytokines.
The reported therapeutic success of these plants by traditional cultures and modern clinicians may be partially due to their effects on cytokines.
Phytotherapy offers a potential therapeutic modality for the treatment of many differing conditions involving cytokines.
18Immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and vascular effectsSystematic ReviewCited 195×2005
The information summarized here is intended to serve as a reference tool to practitioners in the fields of ethnopharmacology and natural products chemistry.
Heitzman ME et al. · Phytochemistry (2005)
Fifty-three novel structures are reported in this review.
The potential for development of leads from Uncaria continues to grow, particularly in the area of immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and vascular-related conditions.
The information summarized here is intended to serve as a reference tool to practitioners in the fields of ethnopharmacology and natural products chemistry.
19Toxicological profile of cat's claw and MacaSystematic ReviewCited 74×2005
Development of a comprehensive pharmacological and toxicological profile through critical evaluation of existing and future experimental data, especially carefully conducted clinical studies would facilitate the scientific evidence-based approach to understanding potential biological effects of these major traditionally based herbals in current global use.
Valerio LG Jr et al. · Toxicological reviews (2005)
Some studies suggest that secondary metabolites found in maca extracts are important constituents responsible for its physiological effects.
Maca has been reported in the scientific literature to have a low degree of acute oral toxicity in animals and low cellular toxicity in vitro.
An important finding unveiled by this review is the importance of standardisation in quality and additional basic and clinical research to scientifically validate and understand composition, biological activity, safety and risk.
20Efficacy and safety of CAM therapies in rheumatologySystematic ReviewCited 158×2005
Investigation of the mechanism and potential uses of CAM therapies is still in its infancy and many studies done to date are scientifically flawed.
Setty AR et al. · Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism (2005)
Investigation of the mechanism and potential uses of CAM therapies is still in its infancy and many studies done to date are scientifically flawed.
Further systematic and scientific inquiry into this topic is necessary to validate or refute the clinical claims made for CAM therapies.
An understanding of the mechanism of action of CAM therapies allows physicians to counsel effectively on their proper and improper use, prevent adverse drug-drug interactions, and anticipate or appreciate toxicities.