Skip to main content
SupplementScience

Cat's Claw Research & Evidence

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Evidence Level

Emerging

Cat's claw has a long history in traditional Amazonian medicine and a small but growing body of clinical evidence. The most notable RA trial (Mur et al., 2002, n=40) found 60mg/day POA-standardized extract significantly reduced painful and swollen joints in patients already on sulfasalazine. For OA, Piscoya et al. (2001, n=45) demonstrated rapid pain relief within one week. Mechanistically, pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids inhibit NF-kB and suppress TNF-alpha production. An important distinction exists between pentacyclic (anti-inflammatory) and tetracyclic (immune-stimulating) alkaloid chemotypes — quality products should specify POA content. More large-scale trials are needed to establish definitive efficacy.

Evidence by Condition

ConditionStudied DoseEvidence
Rheumatoid arthritis60mg POA-standardized extract dailyEmerging
Osteoarthritis100-350mg freeze-dried extract dailyEmerging
General anti-inflammatory250-350mg bark extract dailyPreliminary
Full Cat's Claw Guide

References

  1. (). Randomized double blind trial of an extract from the pentacyclic alkaloid-chemotype of Uncaria tomentosa for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Rheumatology.
  2. (). 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
  3. (). Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis) are independent of their alkaloid content. Phytomedicine. DOI