Harpagophytum procumbens
Harpagophytum procumbens, commonly known as Devil's Claw, is a medicinal plant native to Southern Africa. Renowned for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, its tuberous roots contain iridoid glycosides like harpagoside. It is widely utilized in herbal medicine to alleviate joint pain, osteoarthritis, and various digestive ailments effectively.
- Scientific name: Harpagophytum procumbens
- Family: Pedaliaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales, it is classified under the family Pedaliaceae. It is further identified by the genus Harpagophytum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Pedaliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Harpagophytum | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is native to specific regions within the South Tropical Africa area, including Zimbabwe. Its natural habitat extends across several parts of Southern Africa, such as Botswana. Furthermore, it can be found growing within the Cape Provinces. The distribution also encompasses the mountainous terrain of Lesotho. Finally, this medicinal species is documented to inhabit parts of Namibia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Botswana | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Lesotho | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Namibia | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Free State | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Eswatini | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Northern Provinces | WCVP |
Chemicals
Harpagophytum procumbens has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 30 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include harpagoside, harpagide, Harpagoside, verbascoside, 8-coumaroylharpagide.
- Total chemicals
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 30
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| harpagoside | 13 | ★★★★★ |
| harpagide | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Harpagoside | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| verbascoside | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 8-coumaroylharpagide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Harpagide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Kynurenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenylethanoid glycoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Harpagophytum procumbens has 5 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antiinflammatory, Antinociceptive, Antioxidant, Chemopreventive.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Chemopreventive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Harpagophytum procumbens has 21 reported medicinal uses identified across 34 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include pain, inflammation, analgesic, hyperalgesia, low back pain.
- Total uses
- 21
- Scientific sources
- 34
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pain | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| inflammation | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| hyperalgesia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| low back pain | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatic diseases | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatoid arthritis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allodynia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| appetite | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |