Devil's Claw (afrikanische teufelskralle, ao ao, arpagofito, Arthrosetten H, Arthrotabsm, artiglio del diavolo, Artosan, Defencid, Doloteffin, duiwelsklou, ekatata, elyata, grapple plant, griffe du diable, Hariosen, Harpadol, HarpagoMega, harpagon, harpagophytum procumbens, harpagoside, Jucurba N, khams, khuripe, klaudoring, likakata, otjihangatene, RheumaSern, RheumaTee, Salus, sengaparile, Sudafrikanische Teufelskralle, Trampelklette, Venustorn, windhoek's root, wood spider, xemta'eisa)
Classes: Gastrointestinal, Herbals; Musculoskeletal, Herbals
Suggested dosing of afrikanische teufelskralle, ao ao (devil's claw)
Osteoarthritis/Low Back Pain
Crude Extract: 2-9 g/d PO
Standardized Tablets: 600-1200 mg (=50-100 mg harpagoside) PO TId
Other Information
Anorexia: 1.5 g/day decoction
Elixir (1:1): 0.1-0.25 mL PO TId
Suggested uses of afrikanische teufelskralle, ao ao (devil's claw)
Osteoarthritis, lower back pain, appetite loss, cancer pain
Efficacy
Increasing evidence of short-term benefit in osteoarthritis; some evidence of benefit in lower back pain; unclear with regards to other uses
Extensively used in Europe for mild joint pain
German Commission E approves the use of Devil's claw root for:
- Appetite loss, dyspepsia, supportive therapy for arthritis
ESCOP approves the use of Devil's claw root for:
- Painful arthrosis, tendinitis, appetite loss, dyspepsia
afrikanische teufelskralle, ao ao (devil's claw) adverse (side) effects
Generally well-tolerated
Headache, GI upset, bradycardia, taste loss
Warnings
Cautions
Stomach or intestinal ulcer, diabetes, high or low blood pressure, arrhythmia
Safety/efficacy not established for children
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: N/A
Lactation: N/A
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of afrikanische teufelskralle, ao ao (devil's claw)
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A
Mechanism of action
Unclear; one study found correlation between serum harpagoside levels & leukotriene biosynthesis inhibition; harpagoside may also have analgesic actions
May also have anti-oxidant effects
Constituents include iridoid glucosides (eg, harpagoside), phytosterols, & flavonoids