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Benefits of Cat's Claw

Evidence:Emerging
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary — consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Evidence-Based Benefits

  • Rheumatoid arthritis — Mur et al. (2002, n=40) found 60mg/day cat's claw extract (POA-standardized) significantly reduced the number of painful joints vs. placebo over 24 weeks in RA patients on sulfasalazine
  • Osteoarthritis — Piscoya et al. (2001, n=45) demonstrated that freeze-dried cat's claw (100mg/day) significantly reduced knee OA pain within 1 week compared to placebo
  • NF-kB inhibition — in vitro studies show cat's claw alkaloids and quinovic acid glycosides potently inhibit NF-kB activation, a master regulator of inflammatory gene expression
  • TNF-alpha suppression — pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids reduce TNF-alpha production by monocytes and macrophages, lowering systemic inflammatory signaling
  • Antioxidant activity — cat's claw contains proanthocyanidins and other polyphenols that scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress markers

What the Research Says

Cat's Claw has a well-documented history in traditional Amazonian medicine and is increasingly supported by clinical evidence. A randomized double-blind trial conducted by Mur et al. (2002) demonstrated that a 60mg/day POA-standardized extract significantly reduced painful and swollen joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were already on sulfasalazine. For osteoarthritis, Piscoya et al. (2001) reported rapid pain relief within one week using freeze-dried Cat's Claw. Mechanistically, pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids inhibit NF-kB and suppress TNF-alpha production, contributing to its anti-inflammatory effects.

A systematic review by Arado et al. (2024) of 24 studies highlighted that Uncaria tomentosa extracts reduced IL-6 and NF-κB in animal models of inflammation. Additionally, Lopes et al. (2025) found that Cat's Claw extracts, particularly those rich in POA, exhibited selective cytotoxicity against certain cancer cells in vitro. However, a systematic review by Rosenbaum et al. (2010) noted limited evidence supporting its use for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis compared to other supplements.

Key distinctions exist between pentacyclic (anti-inflammatory) and tetracyclic (immune-stimulating) alkaloid chemotypes, emphasizing the importance of specifying POA content in quality products. While promising, more large-scale clinical trials are needed to establish definitive efficacy across various conditions.

Related Conditions

Rheumatoid ArthritisOsteoarthritisInflammation
Full Cat's Claw Guide

References

  1. RCTMur E, Hartig F, Eibl G, Schirmer M (2002). Randomized double blind trial of an extract from the pentacyclic alkaloid-chemotype of Uncaria tomentosa for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Rheumatology. PubMed
  2. RCTPiscoya J, Rodriguez Z, Bustamante SA, et al. (2001). Efficacy and safety of freeze-dried cat's claw in osteoarthritis of the knee: mechanisms of action of the species Uncaria guianensis. Inflammation Research. DOI PubMed
  3. Sandoval M, Okuhama NN, Zhang XJ, et al. (2002). Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis) are independent of their alkaloid content. Phytomedicine. DOI PubMed
  4. Lopes AA, Coppede JDS, Amatto PPG, Aragon DC, et al. (2025). Cytotoxic effect of different Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) extracts, fractions on normal and cancer cells: a systematic review.. Frontiers in pharmacology. DOI PubMed
  5. Meta-analysisArado GM, Amatto PPG, Marins M, Rizzi ES, et al. (2024). Anti-inflammatory and/or immunomodulatory activities of Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) extracts: A systematic review and meta-analysis of in vivo studies.. Frontiers in pharmacology. DOI PubMed
  6. ReviewRosenbaum CC, O'Mathúna DP, Chavez M, Shields K (2010). Antioxidants and antiinflammatory dietary supplements for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.. Alternative therapies in health and medicine. PubMed
  7. Kaziulin AN, Petukhov AB, Kucheriavyĭ IuA (2006). [Efficiency of includes of bioactive substances in diet of patient with hepatic encephalopathy].. Voprosy pitaniia. PubMed
Show 2 more references
  1. Miller MJ, Mehta K, Kunte S, Raut V, et al. (2005). Early relief of osteoarthritis symptoms with a natural mineral supplement and a herbomineral combination: a randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN38432711].. Journal of inflammation (London, England). DOI PubMed
  2. Lamm S, Sheng Y, Pero RW (2001). Persistent response to pneumococcal vaccine in individuals supplemented with a novel water soluble extract of Uncaria tomentosa, C-Med-100.. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. DOI PubMed