Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2002; 7: 94
To carry out a dose definition study of Harpagophytum procumbens (devil’s claw) on inflammation. The resultant efficacious dose, relative to placebo, will be used in a subsequent trial comparing its effects with those of a standard analgesic for osteoarthritis. The Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) will be employed.
Phase 1 of this study was randomised and double blinded. A total of 15 healthy individuals underwent a 2-week treatment regimen of low dose (480 mg), high dose (960 mg) or placebo. Markers of inflammation – myeloperoxidase (MPO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) – were measured in pre- and post-treatment blood samples.
Results are given in Table 1. The results also show that high-dose devil’s claw is an effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic preparation that is well tolerated.
Table 1.
| MPO (% total MPO) at 1000 nM fMLP | Placebo (n = 5) | 480 mg (n = 4) | 960 mg (n = 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before | 25.70( ± 8.01) | 46.55( ± 20.74) | 40.06( ± 15.59) |
| After | 28.62( ± 15.01) | 39.73( ± 25.72) | 29.64( ± 13.09) |
| % Change | 11.37 | –14.64 | –26.02 |
| Significance | – | – | + (P = 0.02) |
| PGE2(ng/ml) | |||
| Before | 1.53( ± 0.42) | 0.84( ± 0.33) | 2.37( ± 3.71) |
| After | 2.14( ± 0.27) | 0.5( ± 1.24) | 1.16( ± 0.66) |
| % Change | 40.00 | –40.80 | –51.09 |
| Significance | – | – | – |
Inhibition of neutrophil activation may be the main mechanism of devil’s claw anti-inflammatory action. Extension of this trial to 60 subjects should confirm this. Further studies should elucidate the usefulness of devil’s claw for treating osteoarthritis.
