May help with

• Analgesic
• Anti inflammatory
• Rheumatic pains
• Back pains
• Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis

Source : http://www.wikiphyto.org/wiki/Harpagophyton

Reference on http://www.wikiphyto.org

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plant name

Harpagophyton, Windhoek Root , Devil's Claw

International Latin denomination

Harpagophytum procumbens DC. (South Africa)
Harpagophytum zeyheri Decne. = Harpagophytum zeyheri Decne. subsp. sublobatum (Engl.) Ihlenf. & HEKHartmann (Angola, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe) [6]

botanical family

Pedaliaceae

Description and habitat

• Perennial plant with creeping stems up to 1.5 m long, clinging to the ground, woody fruits about 15 cm covered with sharp curved prominences
• The secondary roots are sometimes huge bulbous tubers, 3 to 10 cm in diameter, which can weigh up to 1.5 kg
• South of the African continent, on soils rich in iron oxide in the semi-desert savannahs of Namibia, Botswana, Kalahari and South Africa (province of Windhoek)
• Western demand is such (more than 1000 tons per year) that the resource is threatened

History and tradition

• Its nickname "Devil's Claw" comes from its fruits bearing curved hooks which seem to come out of the ground to trap the legs of antelopes, arpagos means grappling hook in Greek
• South African folk medicine uses it in digestive disorders, in fever, in labor pains
• It was a German farmer, Menhert, who at the beginning of the century, observed in South Africa on a war wounded the beneficial effects of a treatment provided by a healer who did not want to reveal his secret. It was thanks to his hunting dog that he discovered the leaves that had been buried and that he identified the harpagophyton. Native Bushmans and Bantu used the roots orally to treat indigestion, fever, labor pains, dyspepsia, urinary tract infections, sprains and trauma [1]
• Introduced to Europe by OH Volk in 1953
• Other subspecies: Harpagophytum transvaalense

Parts used

• Tuberous secondary lateral root, cut and dried

Dosage forms available

•  
• Dry extract (3 to 5:1) in general
• Micronized secondary root powder

Usual dosages

• Traditional galenic form: decoction-maceration:
  • Pour 300 ml of boiling water over 4.5 g of finely chopped drug, leave to stand at room temperature for 8 hours, filter, 3 doses during the day (2.5 to 5 g)
• Nebulisat ( hydro-alcoholic dry extract ) 1.5 to 3 grams per day
• According to the EMEA [7]  :
  • Dried root: 4.5 g in 500 ml of water, in three doses
  • Aqueous dry extract 5-10: 1 => 600 to 800 mg per day
  • Hydro-alcoholic dry extract 2.6-4: 1 => 460 mg up to 1.6 g

Composition

Main components of the plant

• Iridoids (0.1 to 2%): harpagoside , procumboside , harpagid and its cinnamic ester
• Water extractable polysaccharides : stachyose, raffinose, sucrose, glucose (up to 70% of dry weight)
• Flavonoids and flavonols , acteoside , isoacteoside , harpagoquinone
• N-alkanes , sterols , lipids, waxes
  • Harpagophytum procumbens contains more harpagoside
  • Harpagophytum zeyheri contains 8-Op-coumaroylharpagide , which helps distinguish them
  • Both species possess the same anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities [2] , [3]

Main components of buds or young shoots

• Not applicable

Main components of essential oil

• Not applicable

Properties

Plant properties

• Analgesic, anti-phlogistic, (aqueous extract by harpagoside )
• Anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) [4] , [5] , [6] , inhibits NO degradation and NF-kappaB activation [7] , with inhibition of TNF- alpha and prevention of the activation of the AP-1 complex (activating protein 1) [8] , inhibition of the biosynthesis of cysteinyl-leukotrienes (LTC4, LTD4, LTE4) and TXB2 in human serum after pre-incubation with harpagoside or extracts of Harpagophyton [9] , inhibition of the production of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha [10]
  • Harpagide and harpagoside are not the only culprits in efficacy, as a harpagophytum extract dose-dependently inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha synthesis in human monocytes without their participation [11].
• Its action has been compared to that of phenylbutazone [12] , [13] and indomethacin, Vioxx® [14] or that of diacerrhein [15] , [16].
• Analgesic [17] and hypoglycaemic [18]
• Efficacy is manifested without side effects [19] , [20]
  • The extraction ratio ( ratio of the nebulized dry extract of this plant being approximately 3:1 compared to the dry plant, for an effectiveness equivalent to that of 4.5 grams of plant drug, one must therefore administer daily a dose of 1.5 grams of nebulisate per day, i.e. 6 capsules of 250 mg. It is thus obvious that the powder put into capsules will be much less active (equivalent to 18 capsules of 250 mg per day) [21] , for the aqueous extract, the extraction ratio is about 2:1 (Chrubasik)
• Commercial products vary widely in composition, and the mere mention of a minimum harpagoside content does not guarantee the quality of a product [22].

Bud properties

Properties of essential oil

Directions

Indications of the whole plant (phytotherapy)

• Rheumatic pains [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , congestive attacks of osteoarthritis, especially osteoarthritis of the large joints (hips and knees) [27] at a dose of 2400 mg of extract, with very few side effects [28] , [29]
• Back pain [30] , [31] , [32] , [33]
• Arthritis, osteoarthritis [34]
• Potential candidate for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis by stimulating osteoblast differentiation and inhibiting osteoclast resorption ( harpagoside ) [35]
• Different literature reviews exist [36] , [37] , [38] , [39]

Indications of the bud (gemmotherapy)

Specific indications of essential oil (aromatherapy)

Known or suspected mode of action

• Inhibition of the biosynthesis of cysteinyl-leukotrienes and the degradation of thromboxane which play an important role in inflammatory pathologies
• The activity would result from a synergy between harpagoside , harpagide , 8-coumaroylharpagide , verbascoside [40]
• Harpagoside indiscriminately inhibits the activity of the cyclo-oxygenases COX-1 and COX-2 and strongly reduces the production of NO [41]
• Pure iridoids : harpagide , harpagoside and 8-Op-coumaroylharpagide are transformed into aucubinin B , a monoterpene alkaloid , chemically, enzymatically and microbiologically under the action of intestinal bacteria [42]
  • In addition, the iridoids would be chemically transformed into other alkaloids called Béatrine 1 and Béatrine 2 [43].

Usual formulations

Regulations

• French Pharmacopoeia list A (secondary tuberous root)
• Activity recognized by the German Commission E

Possible side effects and precautions for use

• Gastrointestinal disorders (rare): diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
  • Moderate risk of increased gastric acidity (caution when combined with H2 receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, and antacids)
• Increased risk of bleeding when taken with drugs such as NSAIDs or blood thinners (as a COX-2 inhibitor)
  • Effects on cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, harpagophytum is an inhibitor of the 3A4, 2C8, 2C9 and 2C19 subunits of CYP450 [44]
• Caution when combined with hypoglycemic drugs
• Headaches, dizziness
• Possible skin allergies (exceptional) [8]
• In combination with certain antihypertensives, increased antihypertensive effect and induction of episodes of hypotension [45]
  • Moderate risk of modification of the rhythm and force of cardiac contraction, caution in patients taking antiarrhythmics or digoxin
• Caution in case of renal insufficiency [46]
• Interaction with P-glycoprotein [47]

Bibliographic references

1. Aller↑ Mncwangi N, Chen W, Vermaak I, Viljoen AM, Gericke N. Devil's Claw-a review of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological activity of Harpagophytum procumbens. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Oct 11;143(3):755-71. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.08.013. PMID 22940241
2. Aller↑ Baghdikian B, Ollivier E. The iridoids of Harpagophytum procumbens and zeyheri and their transformation by chemical, enzymatic and microbiological ways = The iridoids of Harpagophytum procumbens and zeyheri and their transformation by chemical, enzymatic and microbiological ways. Doctoral thesis University of Aix-Marseille 3, 1998, N° 98 AIX3 0021 [1]
3. Aller↑ Baghdikian B, Lanhers MC, Fleurentin J, Ollivier E, Maillard C, Balansard G, Mortier F. An analytical study, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Harpagophytum procumbens and Harpagophytum zeyheri. Planta-Med. 1997 Apr; 63(2): 171-6. PMID 9140234
4. Aller↑ Joydeb Kumar Kundu, Kensese S. Mossanda, Hye-Kyung Na, Young-Joon Surh. 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 Letters, 2005, Volume 218, Issue 1, Pages 21-31
5. Aller↑ Dieter Loew, Jörg Möllerfeld, Andreas Schrödter, Susanne Puttkammer, Marietta Kaszkin. Investigations on the pharmacokinetic properties of Harpagophytum extracts and their effects on eicosanoid biosynthesis in vitro and ex vivo. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2001) 69, 356–364 [2]
6. Aller↑ Hyun-Chol Cho, Yun-Kyung Song, Hyung-Ho Lim. Harpagophytum Procumbens Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide Induced Expressions of Cyclooxygenase-2 and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in Mouse BV2 Microglial Cells. Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine. 2005. Vol. 26. No. 4. 152-161. Full Text
7. Aller↑ Huang TH, Tran VH, Duke RK, Tan S, Chrubasik S, Roufogalis BD, Duke CC. Harpagoside suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced iNOS and COX-2 expression through inhibition of NF-kappa B activation. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Mar 8;104(1-2):149-55. PMID 16203115
8. Aller↑ Fiebich BL, Muñoz E, Rose T, Weiss G, McGregor GP. Molecular Targets of the Antiinflammatory Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's claw): Inhibition of TNFα and COX-2 Gene Expression by Preventing Activation of AP-1. Phytother Res. 2011 Nov 10. PMID 22072539
9. Aller↑ Karl-Heinz Stumpf, Hermann Jaggy, Rainer Oschmann, Egon Koch, Thomas Simmet. Harpagoside-enriched extract from harpagophytum procumbens and processes for producing same. US patent 6280737 B1 [3]
10. Aller↑ Inaba K, Murata K, Naruto S, Matsuda H. Inhibitory effects of devil's claw (secondary root of Harpagophytum procumbens) extract and harpagoside on cytokine production in mouse macrophages. J Nat Med. 2010 Apr;64(2):219-22. PMID 20177800
11. Aller↑ Fiebich, BL, Heinrich, M., Hiller, KO, & Kammerer, N. (2001). Inhibition of TNF-alpha synthesis in LPS-stimulated primary human monocytes by Harpagophytum extract SteiHap 69. Phytomedicine: international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 8(1), 28–30. https://doi.org/10.1078/0944-7113-00002 PMID 11292236
12. Aller↑ McLeod DW, Revell P, Robinson BV Investigations of Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's Claw) in the treatment of experimental inflammation and arthritis in the rat [proceedings]. British journal of pharmacology, 1979, 66(1), p 140. full text
13. Aller↑ Faivre C, Ghedira K, Goetz P, Lejeune R. Harpagophytum procumbens (Pedaliaceae). Phytotherapy, August 2007, Volume 5, Issue 3, pp 150–153. DOI: 10.1007/s10298-007-0246-2
14. Aller↑ Chrubasik S, Model A, Black A, Pollak S. A randomized double-blind pilot study comparing Doloteffin and Vioxx in the treatment of low back pain. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2003 Jan;42(1):141-8. PMID 12509627 full text
15. Aller↑ Chantre P, Cappelaere A, Leblan D, Guedon D, Vandermander J, Fournie B. Efficacy and tolerance of Harpagophytum procumbens versus diacerhein in treatment of osteoarthritis. Phytomedicine. 2000 Jun;7(3):177-83. PMID 11185727
16. Aller↑ Leblan D, Chantre P, Fournié B. Harpagophytum procumbens in the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis. Four-month results of a prospective, multicenter, double-blind trial versus diacerein. Joint Bone Spine. 2000;67(5):462-7. PMID 11143915
17. Aller↑ Andersen ML, Santos EH, Seabra Mde L, da Silva AA, Tufik S. Evaluation of acute and chronic treatments with Harpagophytum procumbens on Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Apr;91(2-3):325-30. PMID 15120457
18. Aller↑ Mahomed IM, Ojewole JA. Analgesic, antiinflammatory and antidiabetic properties of Harpagophytum procumbens DC (Pedaliaceae) secondary root aqueous extract. Phytother Res. 2004 Dec;18(12):982-9. PMID 15742343
19. Aller↑ Chrubasik S, Chrubasik C, Künzel O, Black A. Patient-perceived benefit during one year of treatment with Doloteffin. Phytomedicine. 2007 Jun;14(6):371-6. PMID 17521896
20. Aller↑ Vlachojannis J, Roufogalis BD, Chrubasik S. Systematic review on the safety of Harpagophytum preparations for osteoarthritic and low back pain. Phytother Res. 2008 Feb;22(2):149-52. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2314. PMID 18236448
21. Aller↑ Jean-Michel Morel. Practical treatise on phytotherapy. Ed. Grancher, 2008
22. Aller↑ Ouitas NA, Heard C. Estimation of the relative antiinflammatory efficacies of six commercial preparations of Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's Claw). Phytother Res. 2010 Mar;24(3):333-8. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2930. PMID 19610038
23. Aller↑ Warnock M, McBean D, Suter A, Tan J, Whittaker P. Effectiveness and safety of Devil's Claw tablets in patients with general rheumatic disorders. Phytother Res. 2007 Dec;21(12):1228-33. PMID 17886223
24. Aller↑ Chrubasik S, Pollak S. Pain management with herbal antirheumatic drugs. Vienna Med Wochenschr. 2002;152(7-8):198-203. PMID 12017748
25. Aller↑ Grant L, McBean DE, Fyfe L, Warnock AM. A review of the biological and potential therapeutic actions of Harpagophytum procumbens. Phytotherapy Research, 2007, vol. 21, No. 3, p. 199-209.
26. Aller↑ Dragos, D., Gilca, M., Gaman, L., Vlad, A., Iosif, L., Stoian, I., & Lupescu, O. (2017). Phytomedicine in Joint Disorders. Nutrients, 9(1), 70. doi:10.3390/nu9010070
27. Aller↑ Wegener T, Lüpke NP. Treatment of patients with arthrosis of hip or knee with an aqueous extract of devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens DC.). Phytother Res. 2003 Dec;17(10):1165-72. PMID 14669250 Full Text
28. Aller↑ Chrubasik S, Thanner J, Künzel O, et al. Comparison of outcome measures during treatment with the proprietary Harpagophytum extract Doloteffin in patients with pain in the lower back, knee or hip. Phytomedicine 2002;9:181-194. PMID 12046857
29. Aller↑ Wegener T. Degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system--overview of current clinical studies of Devil's Claw (Harpagophyti radix). Vienna Med Wochenschr. 2002;152(15-16):389-92. PMID 12244884
30. Aller↑ Gagnier J, Chrubasik S, Manheimer E. Harpgophytum procumbens for osteoarthritis and low back pain: A systematic review BMC Complement Altern Med. 2004; 4:13 . PMID 15369596 full text
31. Aller↑ Laudahn D, Walper A. Efficacy and tolerance of Harpagophytum extract LI 174 in patients with chronic non-radicular back pain. Phytother Res. 2001 Nov;15(7):621-4. PMID 11746846
32. Aller↑ Gagnier JJ, van Tulder MW, Berman B, Bombardier C. Herbal medicine for low back pain: a Cochrane review. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2007 Jan 1;32(1):82-92. Erratum in Spine. 2007 Aug 1;32(17):1931. PMID 17202897
33. Aller↑ Chrubasik S, Junck H, Breitschwerdt H, Conradt C, Zappe H. Effectiveness of Harpagophytum extract WS 1531 in the treatment of exacerbation of low back pain: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 1999 Feb;16(2):118-29. PMID 10101629
34. Aller↑ Gerard McGregor, Bernd Fiebich, Andrea Wartenberg, Sarah Brien, George Lewith, Tankred Wegener. Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens): An Anti-Inflammatory Herb with Therapeutic Potential. Phytochemistry Reviews, January 2005, Volume 4, Issue 1, pp 47–53. DOI: 10.1007/s11101-004-2374-8
35. Aller↑ Chung HJ, Kim WK, Oh J, Kim MR, Shin JS, Lee J, Ha IH, Lee SK. Anti-Osteoporotic Activity of Harpagoside by Upregulation of the BMP2 and Wnt Signaling Pathways in Osteoblasts and Suppression of Differentiation in Osteoclasts. J Nat Prod. 2017 Feb 24;80(2):434-442. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00964. PMID 28106392
36. Aller↑ Brendler T, Gruenwald J, Ulbricht C, Basch E; Natural Standard Research Collaboration. Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens DC): an evidence-based systematic review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Herb Pharmacother. 2006;6(1):89-126. PMID 17135164
37. Aller↑ Sanders M, Grundmann O. The use of glucosamine, devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), and acupuncture as complementary and alternative treatments for osteoarthritis. Altern Med Rev. 2011 Sep;16(3):228-38. PMID 21951024
38. Aller↑ Brien S, Lewith GT, McGregor G. Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) as a treatment for osteoarthritis: a review of efficacy and safety. J Altern Complement Med. 2006 Dec;12(10):981-93. PMID 17212570
39. Aller↑ Chrubasik JE, Roufogalis BD, Chrubasik S. Evidence of effectiveness of herbal antiinflammatory drugs in the treatment of painful osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain. Phytother Res. 2007 Jul;21(7):675-83. Review. PMID 17444576
40. Aller↑ Abdelouahab N, Heard C. Effect of the major glycosides of Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's Claw) on epidermal cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in vitro. J Nat Prod. 2008 May;71(5):746-9. doi: 10.1021/np070204u. PMID 18412394
41. Aller↑ Anauate MC, Torres LM, de Mello SB. Effect of isolated fractions of Harpagophytum procumbens DC (devil's claw) on COX-1, COX-2 activity and nitric oxide production on whole-blood assay. Phytother Res. 2010 Sep;24(9):1365-9. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3124. PMID 20812280
42. Aller↑ Baghdikian B, Guiraud-Dauriac H, Ollivier E, N'Guyen A, Dumenil G, Balansard G. Formation of nitrogen-containing metabolites from the main iridoids of Harpagophytum procumbens and H. zeyheri by human intestinal bacteria. PlantaMed. 1999 Mar;65(2):164-6. PMID 10193209
43. Aller↑ Baghdikian B, Ollivier E, Faure R, Debrauwer L, Rathelot P, Balansard G. Two new pyridine monoterpene alkaloids by chemical conversion of a commercial extract of harpagophytum procumbens. J Nat Prod. 1999 Feb;62(2):211-3. PMID 10075743
44. Aller↑ Navarette Sandra, Saussays Charline. Interactions between plants and drugs. Pharmaceutical sciences. 2011. <dumas-00641779> [4]
45. Aller↑ Natural health products, to better advise patients. Reference document of the College of Physicians and the Order of Pharmacists of Quebec. Full text: [5]
46. Aller↑ Jurado Camille, Nouaille Yves. (2013). Medical advice based on Harpagophytum: risk of worsening renal failure. Pharmaceutical News. 52. 50-51. 10.1016/j.actpha.2013.03.022.
47. Aller↑ Romiti N, Tramonti G, Corti A, Chieli E. Effects of Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) on the multidrug transporter ABCB1/P-glycoprotein. Phytomedicine. 2009 Dec;16(12):1095-100. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2009.05.001. PMID 19577448

• Wichtl Max, Anton Robert. Therapeutic plants: Tradition, officinal practice, science and therapy. Ed. Tec & Doc. Cachan. 1999. p. 248
• Occhiuto F, Circosta C, Ragusa S, Ficarra P, Costa De Pasquale R. A drug used in traditional medicine: Harpagophytum procumbens DC. IV. Effects on some isolated muscle preparations. Ethnopharmacol. 1985May;13(2):201-8. PMID 4021517

Store in a cool, dry place, away from light. Keep tightly closed, away from the reach of Children and pets.

Do not exceed the daily dose.

This product is not intended to prevent or cure any form of illness or disease.
 

If you are pregnant or nursing ; If you have a medical condition or are in the course of medical treatment ; If you are programmed for theater/operation in the near future, please consult your healthcare practitioner before using this product.

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