Cat's Claw Interactions Overview

Additional Details

Is Cat's Claw Safe? Are There Any Warnings?

• Possible Safety:
• Oral use of a specific freeze-dried aqueous extract of cat's claw is considered safe when taken in doses of 100 mg daily for up to four weeks. Another extract free of certain alkaloids is also considered safe when taken in doses of 60 mg daily for up to 24 weeks.
• Pregnancy:
• Oral use of cat's claw is possibly unsafe during pregnancy due to its traditional use as a contraceptive. It is recommended to avoid using it.
• Lactation:
• Insufficient reliable information is available regarding the safety of cat's claw during lactation. It is recommended to avoid using it.

How Is Cat's Claw Thought To Work? What Is the Mechanism of Action?

The active parts of cat's claw are the root and bark. It contains various alkaloids and other compounds that contribute to its effects. Cat's claw extract usually contains Uncaria tomentosa, which has two different types of alkaloids: pentacyclic oxindoles and tetracyclic oxindoles.

Pentacyclic oxindoles, such as uncarine C and uncarine E, are found in the root and have shown anti-inflammatory properties. They inhibit the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which are involved in inflammation. These compounds may also affect memory and cognition by interacting with cholinergic and glutamate systems.

Tetracyclic oxindoles, including rhynchophylline, mitraphylline, and isorhynchophylline, are present in the bark. They demonstrate anticoagulant effects and may inhibit platelet aggregation. Isorhynchophylline also has cardiovascular effects, such as regulating blood pressure and heart rate.

Other components of cat's claw, such as quinovic acid glycosides and flavonoids, contribute to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Cat's claw exhibits antioxidative, antitumor, and immunomodulatory effects. It can scavenge free radicals, protect against oxidative stress, inhibit tumor cell proliferation, and modulate immune activity.

Pharmacokinetics

There is insufficient reliable information available about the pharmacokinetics of cat's claw. Further research is needed to understand how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and eliminates cat's claw compounds.

Common Side Effects to Watch For

Cat's claw, when taken orally, is generally well-tolerated. No adverse effects have been reported for topical use, but a thorough safety evaluation is lacking.

Potential side effects may vary from person to person, and it's essential to monitor for any unexpected reactions or discomfort when using cat's claw.

Are Supplements Standardized?

There is insufficient reliable information available about the standardization of cat's claw supplements. Standardization refers to ensuring consistent levels of active compounds in different batches of supplements. It is important to choose reputable brands that provide information on their manufacturing processes and quality control measures.

What Is Cat's Claw Used For as a Supplement?

• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever): Cat's claw is sometimes used to alleviate symptoms of hay fever, but there is insufficient reliable evidence to confirm its effectiveness.
• Alzheimer's disease: Cat's claw has been of interest for potential use in Alzheimer's disease, but there is insufficient reliable information about its clinical effects.
• Asthma: Although there is interest in using cat's claw for asthma, there is insufficient reliable information about its clinical effects on this condition.
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema): Cat's claw has been evaluated in combination with other ingredients for eczema, but its effectiveness when used alone is unclear.
• Cancer: The use of cat's claw for cancer aims to improve the quality of life in cancer patients, but its benefits are uncertain and further research is needed.
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): Cat's claw has been of interest for CFS, but there is insufficient reliable information about its clinical effects on this condition.
• Diarrhea: Cat's claw has been investigated for its potential use in treating diarrhea, but there is insufficient reliable information about its clinical effects for this purpose.
• Hemorrhoids: Cat's claw has shown some interest in treating hemorrhoids, but there is insufficient reliable information about its clinical effects for this purpose.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV): Cat's claw has been studied in combination with other ingredients for HPV, but its effectiveness when used alone is unclear.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Cat's claw has been of interest for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, but there is insufficient reliable information about its clinical effects on these conditions.
• Oropharyngeal candidiasis: It is unclear if cat's claw is beneficial for the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis in patients who wear dentures.
• Osteoarthritis: The use of cat's claw for osteoarthritis is uncertain, and there is insufficient reliable information about its clinical effects.
• Osteoporosis: Although there is interest in using cat's claw for osteoporosis, there is insufficient reliable information about its clinical effects on this condition.
• Psoriasis: Cat's claw has been evaluated in combination with other ingredients for psoriasis, but its effectiveness when used alone is unclear.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): It is uncertain if cat's claw is beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis, and further research is needed to determine its effects on this condition.

It is important to note that these uses are still being studied, and more evidence is needed to establish the effectiveness of cat's claw for these specific conditions.

Drugs that interact with Cat's Claw