Devil's Claw herbal extract for inflammation and osteoarthritis
Devil's claw studies and the use of supplement extract capsule for the treatment of arthritis

Extracts of Devil’s claw roots are widely used in Europe for rheumatic pain. Two of the active principles of Devil’s claw are harpagoside and harpagide. The mechanism of action of Devil’s claw is still unclear and disputed, however one study has found a correlation between serum harpagoside levels and the inhibition of leukotriene biosynthesis. The plant’s common name is attributed to its peculiar clawlike seedpods which are covered with small hooklike protuberances. Devil's claw is a plant drug widely used in South African traditional medicine, specially by Bushmen, Hottentots and Bantu.

Nature's Way Devil's Claw capsule
Nature's Way Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) has a large claw-like fruit and is also called Grapple Plant.  The root or "tuber" is considered medicinal and is preferred by herbalists because of its high concentration of the beneficial component harpagoside.

Recommendation: Take two devils claw capsules twice daily with   water at mealtimes.

 Supplement Facts
 Serving Size 2 Capsules
 Servings Per Container 45
Amount Per Serving             
Devil's claw, 700 mg dried extract (root)   
Devil's claw (root) 260 mg           
Standardized to: 1.5% Harpagoside

You can buy Devils-Claw here

Other herbs helpful for joint aches
Glucosamine sulfate (from shellfish) - Glucosamine Sulfate is a popular ingredient in many joint health products
Chondroitin sulfate - the nutrient Chondroitin-Sulfate is a popular ingredient in many joint health products
MSM nutrient
CMO complex also known as cetyl myristoleate.
Boswellia is used in Ayurvedic medicine
Curcumin is an extract from the plant turmeric
Cat's claw extract comes from the Amazon jungle
Grape seed extract supplement

Devil's Claw benefits
Devil’s claw may be helpful for those who have chronic low back pain.
Devil’s claw may reduce the need for analgesic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory therapy in those with knee or hip osteoarthritis.
In rats, the dried crude methanolic extract of Harpagophytum procumbens secondary roots caused a significant dose-dependent reduction of arterial blood pressure, and had anti-arrhythmic effect.

Devil's Claw Dosage
The usual dosahe is 400 to 500 mg of the dried extract three times a day. Another option is the use of 20-50 mg harpagoside.

Devil's Claw Research Update
Evaluation of acute and chronic treatments with Harpagophytum procumbens on Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.
Andersen ML Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Rua Napoleao de Barros, 925, Vila Clementino, SP-04024-002 Sao Paulo, Brazil.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Apr;91(2-3):325-30.
The extract of Harpagophytum procumbens (Devils claw), widely utilized in Europe and, more recently, in other countries, is traditionally indicated to treat inflammatory processes. Devils claw acts by way of interleukins and leukocyte migration to the painful and inflamed joint area. Chemically, its secondary tuberous roots contains iridoid glycosides, harpagogide, procumbide, and harpagoside, as the active principle. The purpose of the present study was evaluate the therapeutic potential as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent in rat model of Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis both in the acute and chronic phases. The animals were injected with Freund's adjuvant in sub-plantar tissue of the right posterior paw and randomly assigned in acute (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg) or chronic (100 mg/kg) treatments with Devils claw solution test or vehicle. Then, submitted to behavioral test and assessment of body weight and right paw's measurements. The results show that Devils claw extract increased the animals 'latency of paws' withdrawal, indicating a protective effect against the pain induced by the thermal stimulus, both in acute and chronic treatments. In addition to reduction in the right paw edema in the experimental groups when compared to control group. Thus, the data showed anti-inflammatory and peripheral analgesic properties of Devils claw extract with all doses tested, thus confirming its indication for inflammatory processes.

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. Wegener T, Lupke NP.
Consulting Herbal Medicinal Products, Braunholzstrasse 17, 33378 Rheda-Wiedenbrueck, Germany.
Preparations made from the secondary tubers of Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) are successfully used in patients with rheumatic diseases (arthrosis and low back pain). In order to add data on the efficacy and long-term safety of an aqueous extract (Doloteffin; 2400 mg extract daily, corresponding to 50 mg harpagoside), which has been tested successfully in patients with low back pain, an uncontrolled multicentre drug surveillance study for about 12 weeks was conducted in 75 patients with arthrosis of the hip or knee. To standardize the assessment of treatment effects, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index (10 point scale) as well as the 10 cm VAS pain scale were used. The results of the study revealed a strong reduction of pain and the symptoms of osteoarthritis. There was a relevant improvement of each WOMAC subscale as well as of the total WOMAC index: 23.8% for the pain subscale, 22% for the stiffness subscale and 23% for the physical function subscale. The WOMAC total score was reduced by 22%. VAS pain scores were decreased by 25% for actual pain, 25% for average pain, 22% for worst pain and 24% for the total pain score. The physicians reported a continuous improvement in typical clinical findings such as 45% for pain on palpation, 35% for limitation of mobility and 25% for joint crepitus. Only two cases of possible adverse drug reactions were reported (dyspeptic complaints and a sensation of fullness). Although this was an open clinical study, the results suggest that this Devil's claw extract has a clinically beneficial effect in the treatment of arthrosis of the hip or knee.

Devil's claw extract supplement questions
Q. I am searching for a good source of devils claw extract. So far, sites that sell products that contain devil's claw have anywhere near the amount of the active ingredient found in European preparations. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, studies have been done with standardized devil's extract dose: 600 - 1,200 mg, standardized to contain 50 - 100 mg of harpagoside, 3 times daily.
   A. When studies are done researchers normally use a high dosage of a supplement since they only plan to provide the supplement or medication for a short period of time. This does not mean that the long term use of this supplement should go on at this high dosage. We are not sure what the long term benefits and side effects of devil's claw extract supplement would be when given for months or years.

Q. Do herbal sexual enhancing supplements such as yohimbe bark interfere with the actions and benefits of devil's claw? Has there been research on this topic?
   A. We are not aware of research with devil's claw and how it would interact with aphrodisiac herbs and whether there would be side effects.

Q. I understand hyaluronic acid is being promoted for joint health along with devil's claw herb. Which is the better supplement?
   A. See the link provided. We have not seen head to head comparisons.

Can you tell me of any contra-indications for patients with heart disease in using Devils Claw pills in conjunction with Gloucosamine / Controdin and Cod Liver Oil?
I understand you can not give medical advice. I am only interested in seeing if you are aware of any material available.
    We are not aware of such contraindications, but then again we are not aware of such studies so we don't have any data to base a reliable statement.