-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What Is Cat's Claw Used for Today? Cat's claw is most often marketed as a treatment for viral diseases such as herpes, shingles, AIDS, and feline leukemia virus. However, the evidence for these uses is extremely preliminary. The most meaningful study yet performed on cat's claw suggests that it might be helpful for an entirely different condition: osteoarthritis.3 Cat's claw has also been proposed as a treatment for allergies, stomach ulcers and rheumatoid arthritis, but there is no meaningful evidence as yet that it is effective for these conditions. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What Is the Scientific Evidence for Cat's Claw? A four week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the potential benefits of cat’s claw for the treatment of osteoarthritis.3 A total of 45 individuals with osteoarthritis were enrolled. Of these, 30 were treated with freeze dried cat’s claw aqueous extract, and 15 were given placebo. Individuals in the treatment group showed reduced pain with activity as compared to those in the placebo group. However, no comparative improvements were seen in knee pain at rest or at night, nor in knee circumference. This pilot trial suggests that cat’s claw may be a useful treatment for osteoarthritis. However, more research will be necessary to verify this potential use of the herb. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dosage The optimum dosage of cat's claw is not clear. Because of the wide variation in the forms and preparations sold, we recommend following the directions on the product's label. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safety Issues In general, use of cat’s claw has not been associated with adverse effects more serious than occasional digestive upset or allergic reactions. However, full safety studies have not been completed, and there has been one report of kidney failure apparently triggered by cat's claw.4 Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established. Some evidence suggests that cat's claw might interact with various medications by affecting their metabolism in the liver, but the extent of this effect has not been fully determined.2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- References 1. Jones K. Cat's claw. Herbs for Health. 1996;Sept-Oct:42–46. 2. Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, et al. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine. 2000;7:273–282. 3. Piscoya J, Rodriguez Z, Bustamante SA, et al. Efficacy and safety of freeze-dried cat's claw in osteoarthritis of the knee: mechanisms of action of the species Uncaria guianensis. Inflamm Res. 2001;50:442–448. 4. Hilepo JN, Bellucci AG, Mossey RT. Acute renal failure caused by 'cat's claw' herbal remedy in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. Nephron. 1997;77:361. |
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