Cat's Claw
Common name
N/A
ID
HD0115
Scientific name of the plant
Uncaria tomentosa, Uncaria guianensis
Anatomical part for use
bark, root
Human use
Miscellaneous
Summary
Uncaria tomentosa is a woody vine found in the tropical jungles of South and Central America. It is known as cat's claw or uña de gato in Spanish because of its claw-shaped thorns. The plant root bark is used in herbalism for a variety of ailments, and is sold as a dietary supplement. (Source: Wiki)
Evidence Level
Level 0 (No convinced report of liver injury caused by herbal and dietary supplement)
Hepatotoxicity Description
Despite being widely used, cat's claw has not been implicated in cases of clinically apparent liver injury and, in prospective studies, has had no effect on serum enzyme levels. In vitro studies have demonstrated antioxidant activity of cat’s claw extracts which may be hepatoprotective. Because cat’s claw inhibits microsomal CYP 3A4 activity, it has a potential to cause herb-drug interactions and raise the levels of other drugs that are metabolized by CYP 3A4. (Source: LiverTox)
Traditional medicine
Cat's claw has been used as a traditional medicine in South American countries over centuries for its supposed health benefits, and is a common herbal supplement. The part used medicinally is the bark of the vine or root. As of 2015, there is no high-quality clinical evidence that it has any benefit in treating diseases. (Source: Wiki)
Common name
N/A
ID
HD0115
Scientific name of the plant
Uncaria tomentosa, Uncaria guianensis
Anatomical part for use
bark, root
Human use
Miscellaneous
Summary
Uncaria tomentosa is a woody vine found in the tropical jungles of South and Central America. It is known as cat's claw or uña de gato in Spanish because of its claw-shaped thorns. The plant root bark is used in herbalism for a variety of ailments, and is sold as a dietary supplement. (Source: Wiki)
Evidence Level
Level 0 (No convinced report of liver injury caused by herbal and dietary supplement)
Hepatotoxicity Description
Despite being widely used, cat's claw has not been implicated in cases of clinically apparent liver injury and, in prospective studies, has had no effect on serum enzyme levels. In vitro studies have demonstrated antioxidant activity of cat’s claw extracts which may be hepatoprotective. Because cat’s claw inhibits microsomal CYP 3A4 activity, it has a potential to cause herb-drug interactions and raise the levels of other drugs that are metabolized by CYP 3A4. (Source: LiverTox)
Traditional medicine
Cat's claw has been used as a traditional medicine in South American countries over centuries for its supposed health benefits, and is a common herbal supplement. The part used medicinally is the bark of the vine or root. As of 2015, there is no high-quality clinical evidence that it has any benefit in treating diseases. (Source: Wiki)