Harpagophytum
| Harpagophytum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Pedaliaceae |
| Genus: | Harpagophytum DC. ex Meisn. |
| Species | |
|
Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC. ex Meisn. | |
Harpagophytum, also called grapple plant, wood spider and most commonly devil's claw, is a genus of plants in the sesame family, native to southern Africa. It owes its common name Devil's Claw to the peculiar appearance of its hooked fruit. The plant's large tuberous roots are used in herbal medicine to reduce pain and fever, and to stimulate digestion. European colonists brought devil's claw home where it was used to treat arthritis.
Harpagophytum procumbens is mainly found in the eastern and south eastern parts of Namibia, Southern Botswana and the Kalahari region of the Northern Cape, South Africa. Harpagophytum zeyheri is found in the northern parts of Namibia (Ovamboland) and southern Angola. The active ingredient is harpagoside (structure at PubChem ) with values ranging in both species from 1.0% to 3.3%.
The name "devil's claw" is also used for several species of North American plants in the genus Proboscidea, as well as Urtica dioica and certain species of Pisonia.
Research and folk medicine
Devil's claw or extracts thereof, standardized to iridoid glycosides ("harpagoside") or phenylpropanoid glycosides, are commonly used in folk medicine and phytotherapy as an antiinflammatory herbal drug and dietary supplement. The ethnobotanical use originated in the botanically diverse regions of Southern Africa (e.g., Kalahari).[1] Although there is only limited evidence to its clinical efficacy and bioavailability, some benefits have been noted treating lower back pain and osteoarthritis.[2] Side effects and drug interactions with Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are rare but have been reported with the use of Devil's claw.[2]
Adverse reactions
Devil's claw may interfere with the action of ticlopidine and warfarin, and patients should consult with a physician before combining Devil's claw with these medications.[3]
References
- ↑ Mncwangi N, Chen W, Vermaak I, Viljoen AM, Gericke N (2012). "Devil's Claw-a review of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological activity of Harpagophytum procumbens". J Ethnopharmacol 143 (3): 755–71. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.08.013. PMID 22940241.
- 1 2 "Devil's claw". MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Medicine. 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
- ↑ Agatonovic-Kustrin, Morton, & Singh (2012). Hybrid neural networks as tools for predicting the phase behavior of colloidal systems. Colloids Surf., A, 2012, 415. p. 59-67.
External links
- Botany databases at the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation