Joints, The Immune System, and Inflammation
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17210508
Cat's claw: an Amazonian vine decreases inflammation in osteoarthritis.
Hardin SR.
Source
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, School of Nursing, 9201 University Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
[email protected]
Abstract
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.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11950006
Randomized double blind trial of an extract from the pentacyclic alkaloid-chemotype of uncaria tomentosa for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Mur E, Hartig F, Eibl G, Schirmer M.
Source
Department of Internal Medicine, Innsbruck University Hospital, Austria.
[email protected]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate safety and clinical efficacy of a plant extract from the pentacyclic chemotype of Uncaria tomentosa (UT) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
METHODS:
Forty patients undergoing sulfasalazine or hydroxychloroquine treatment were enrolled in a randomized 52 week, 2 phase study. During the first phase (24 weeks, double blind, placebo controlled), patients were treated with UT extract or placebo. In the second phase (28 weeks) all patients received the plant extract.
RESULTS:
Twenty-four weeks of treatment with the UT extract resulted in a reduction of the number of painful joints compared to placebo (by 53.2% vs 24.1%; p = 0.044). Patients receiving the UT extract only during the second phase experienced a reduction in the number of painful (p = 0.003) and swollen joints (p = 0.007) and the Ritchie Index (p = 0.004) compared to the values after 24 weeks of placebo. Only minor side effects were observed.
CONCLUSION:
This small preliminary study demonstrates relative safety and modest benefit to the tender joint count of a highly purified extract from the pentacyclic chemotype of UT in patients with active RA taking sulfasalazine or hydroxychloroquine.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11603848
Efficacy and safety of freeze-dried cat's claw in osteoarthritis of the knee: mechanisms of action of the species Uncaria guianensis.
Piscoya J, Rodriguez Z, Bustamante SA, Okuhama NN, Miller MJ, Sandoval M.
Source
Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Facultad de Medicina, Lima, Peru.
Abstract
AIM:
The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the ability of cat's claw, an Amazonian medicinal plant, to treat osteoarthritis of the knee, collect safety and tolerance information and compare the antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory actions of Uncaria guianensis and Uncaria tomentosa in vitro.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Forty-five patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were recruited, 30 were treated with freeze-dried U guianensis, and 15 with placebo. Hematological parameters were assessed on entry and exit of the four-week trial. Pain, medical and subject assessment scores and adverse effects were collected at weeks 1, 2 and 4. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of the cat's claw species was determined by the alpha,alpha-diphenyl-beta-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method. Inhibition of TNFalpha and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production was determined in RAW 264.7 cells by ELISA.
RESULTS:
Cat's claw had no deleterious effects on blood or liver function or other significant side-effects compared to placebo. Pain associated with activity, medical and patient assessment scores were all significantly reduced, with benefits occurring within the first week of therapy. Knee pain at rest or at night, and knee circumference were not significantly reduced by cat's claw during this brief trial. In vitro tests indicated that U guianensis and U. tomentosa were equivalent at quenching DPPH radicals (EC50, 13.6-21.7 microg/ml) as well as inhibiting TNFalpha production. However, the latter action was registered at much lower concentrations (EC50, 10.2-10.9 ng/ml). Cat's claw (10 microg/ml) had no effect on basal PGE2 production, but reduced LPS-induced PGE2 release (P < 0.05), but at higher concentrations than that required for TNFalpha inhibition.
CONCLUSION:
Cat's claw is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis. The species, U guianensis and U tomentosa are equiactive. They are effective antioxidants, but their anti-inflammatory properties may result from their ability to inhibit TNFalpha and to a lesser extent PGE2 production.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15907989
Involvement of 5-HT2 receptors in the antinociceptive effect of Uncaria tomentosa.
Jürgensen S, Dalbó S, Angers P, Santos AR, Ribeiro-do-Valle RM.
Source
Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Abstract
Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC (Rubiaceae) is a vine that grows in the Amazon rainforest. Its bark decoctions are used by Peruvian Indians to treat several diseases. Chemically, it consists mainly of oxindole alkaloids. An industrial fraction of U. tomentosa (UT fraction), containing 95% oxindole alkaloids, was used in this study in order to characterize its antinociceptive activity in chemical (acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, formalin and capsaicin tests) and thermal (tail-flick and hot-plate tests) models of nociception in mice. UT fraction given by the i.p. route dose-dependently suppressed the behavioural response to the chemical stimuli in the models indicated and increased latencies in the thermal stimuli models. The antinociception caused by UT fraction in the formalin test was significantly attenuated by i.p. treatment of mice with ketanserin (5-HT2 receptor antagonist), but was not affected by naltrexone (opioid receptor antagonist), atropine (a nonselective muscarinic antagonist), l-arginine (precursor of nitric oxide), prazosin (alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist), yohimbine (alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist), and reserpine (a monoamine depleter). Together, these results indicate that UT fraction produces dose-related antinociception in several models of chemical and thermal pain through mechanisms that involve an interaction with 5-HT2 receptors.
The above study is interesting because it shows that Uncaria benefits joints in two ways: reducing inflammation and reducing pain.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15942912
Herbal medications commonly used in the practice of rheumatology: mechanisms of action, efficacy, and side effects.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22850529
Current nutraceuticals in the management of osteoarthritis: a review.
Uncaria tomentosa = Cat's claw. The full text is free through pubmed so give it a read. Uncaria Tomentosa is one of the most commonly used nutraceuticals for joint issues.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16603065
The chrondoprotective actions of a natural product are associated with the activation of IGF-1 production by human chondrocytes despite the presence of IL-1beta.
Miller MJ, Ahmed S, Bobrowski P, Haqqi TM.
Source
Center for Cardiovascular Sciences, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA.
[email protected]
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Cartilage loss is a hallmark of arthritis and follows activation of catabolic processes concomitant with a disruption of anabolic pathways like insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). We hypothesized that two natural products of South American origin, would limit cartilage degradation by respectively suppressing catabolism and activating local IGF-1 anabolic pathways. One extract, derived from cat's claw (Uncaria guianensis, vincaria), is a well-described inhibitor of NF-kappaB. The other extract, derived from the vegetable Lepidium meyenii (RNI 249), possessed an uncertain mechanism of action but with defined ethnomedical applications for fertility and vitality.
METHODS:
Human cartilage samples were procured from surgical specimens with consent, and were evaluated either as explants or as primary chondrocytes prepared after enzymatic digestion of cartilage matrix. Assessments included IGF-1 gene expression, IGF-1 production (ELISA), cartilage matrix degradation and nitric oxide (NO) production, under basal conditions and in the presence of IL-1beta.
RESULTS:
RNI 249 enhanced basal IGF-1 mRNA levels in human chondrocytes by 2.7 fold, an effect that was further enhanced to 3.8 fold by co-administration with vincaria. Enhanced basal IGF-1 production by RNI 249 alone and together with vincaria, was confirmed in both explants and in primary chondrocytes (P < 0.05). As expected, IL-1beta exposure completely silenced IGF-1 production by chondrocytes. However, in the presence of IL-1beta both RNI 249 and vincaria protected IGF-1 production in an additive manner (P < 0.01) with the combination restoring chondrocyte IGF-1 production to normal levels. Cartilage NO production was dramatically enhanced by IL-1beta. Both vincaria and RNI 249 partially attenuated NO production in an additive manner (p < 0.05). IL-1beta - induced degradation of cartilage matrix was quantified as glycosaminoglycan release. Individually RNI 249 or vincaria, prevented this catabolic action of IL-1beta.
CONCLUSION:
The identification of agents that activate the autocrine production of IGF-1 in cartilage, even in the face of suppressive pro-inflammatory, catabolic cytokines like IL-1beta, represents a novel therapeutic approach to cartilage biology. Chondroprotection associated with prevention of the catabolic events and the potential for sustained anabolic activity with this natural product suggests that it holds significant promise in the treatment of debilitating joint diseases.
Put simply, Uncaria activates IGF-1 in cartilage, which leads to growth and preservation of cartilage, even in the face of inflammatory markers.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11515717
DNA repair enhancement of aqueous extracts of Uncaria tomentosa in a human volunteer study.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22811748
Uncaria tomentosa-Adjuvant Treatment for Breast Cancer: Clinical Trial.
Uncaria tomentosa has a remarkable ability to reduce DNA damage and improve the immune response when it has been compromised by external factors. This immune system improvement has been demonstrated in the two human trials above, plus the two murine trials below:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12622460
C-Med 100, a hot water extract of Uncaria tomentosa, prolongs lymphocyte survival in vivo.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10687868
Enhanced DNA repair, immune function and reduced toxicity of C-MED-100, a novel aqueous extract from Uncaria tomentosa.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21718770
Prevention of experimental diabetes by Uncaria tomentosa extract: Th2 polarization, regulatory T cell preservation or both?
Domingues A, Sartori A, Golim MA, Valente LM, da Rosa LC, Ishikawa LL, Siani AC, Viero RM.
Source
Department of Pathology, Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo 18618-000, Brazil.
[email protected]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:
Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC (Rubiaceae) is a species native to the Amazon rainforest and surrounding tropical areas that is endowed with immunomodulatory properties and widely used around the world. In this study we investigated the immunomodulatory potential of Uncaria tomentosa (UT) aqueous-ethanol extract on the progression of immune-mediated diabetes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
C57BL/6 male mice were injected with MLDS (40 mg/kg) and orally treated with UT at 10-400mg/kg during 21 days. Control groups received MLDS alone or the respective dilution vehicle. Pancreatic mononuclear infiltrate and β-cell insulin content were analyzed by HE and immunohistochemical staining, respectively, and measured by digital morphometry. Lymphocyte immunophenotyping and cytokine production were determined by flow cytometry analysis.
RESULTS:
Treating the animals with 50-400mg/kg of UT caused a significant reduction in the glycemic levels, as well as in the incidence of diabetes. The morphometric analysis of insulitis revealed a clear protective effect. Animals treated with UT at 400mg/kg presented a higher number of intact islets and a significant inhibition of destructive insulitis. Furthermore, a significant protection against the loss of insulin-secreting presented β-cells was achieved, as observed by a careful immunohistochemical evaluation. The phenotypic analysis indicated that the groups treated with higher doses (100-400mg/kg) presented CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell values similar to those observed in healthy animals. These same higher doses also increased the number of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T-cells. Moreover, the extract modulated the production of Th1 and Th2, with increased levels of IL-4 and IL-5.
CONCLUSIONS:
The extract was effective to prevent the progression of immune-mediated diabetes by distinct pathways.
Uncaria tomentosa helps manage blood glucose and has a pronounced anti-diabetic effect in vivo.
