Osteoarthritis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Osteoarthritis, including details on treatment, symptoms, causes, medication.

Cat's claw: an Amazonian vine decreases inflammation in osteoarthritis.

Hardin SR

University of North Carolina at Charlotte, School of Nursing, 9201 University Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA. srhardin@email.uncc.edu

Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianesis) is a medicinal plant from the Amazon commonly used to treat disorders such as arthritis, gastritis and osteoarthritis. The mechanism of cat's claw appears to be as an inhibitor of TNFalpha and antioxidant. Understanding the processes in osteoarthritis may facilitate and clarify the potential role of cat's claw as a complementary therapy to assist in the reduction of pro-inflammatory mediators and effectors. The clinical relevance of this therapy as a viable modality of intervention will be discussed.

Published 9 January 2007 in Complement Ther Clin Pract, 13(1): 25-8.
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