Devil Claws
Harpagophytum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (24 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Devil'aws, scientifically known as Harpagophytum, is a medicinal plant native to Southern Africa. Renowned for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, it is primarily used to alleviate joint pain and arthritis symptoms. This remarkable herb contains harpagoside, a bioactive compound that makes it a cornerstone of traditional and modern herbal medicine.
- Family
- Pedaliaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Leaf · Root
- Common names
- Devil Claws
- Scientific synonyms
- Uncaria
Names
Common Names
- Devil Claws
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Garra del diablo y parientes
German:
- Afrikanische Teufelskralle
- Afrikanische Teufelskrallen
Scientific Names
Accepted name
HarpagophytumSynonyms
- Uncaria
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Lamiales and is a member of the family Pedaliaceae. It is specifically 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 primarily distributed across various regions of Southern and South Tropical Africa. Specifically, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Angola and Mozambique. Its presence extends further into the territories of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Additionally, this medicinal species is located within the borders of Botswana. These diverse locations highlight its specific ecological niche within the southern portion of the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zambia | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Botswana | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Caprivi Strip | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Lesotho | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Namibia | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Devil's Claw, is easily identified by its unique physical characteristics, most notably the large, woody fruits that are covered in prominent hooks and sharp thorn-like structures designed to cling to passing animals. While the sprawling vines produce green leaves, the most valuable medicinal component is the thick, tuberous root which is harvested for its potent anti-inflammatory properties. In various traditional and modern medicinal preparations, these roots are often processed into tinctures, capsules, or teas to help alleviate pain and digestive issues.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Harpagophytum has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Triterpenes, Coumarins, Flavonoids, Harpagide, Isorhynchophylline.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Triterpenes | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Coumarins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Harpagide | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Isorhynchophylline | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lignans | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rhynchophylline | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Terpenes | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Verbascoside | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoverbascoside | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Triterpenes
- Phytochemistry
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Coumarins
- Phytochemistry
Flavonoids
- Phytochemistry
Harpagide
- The journal of physical chemistry. A
Isorhynchophylline
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Lignans
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Rhynchophylline
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Terpenes
- Phytochemistry
Verbascoside
- Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity
isoverbascoside
- Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity
Activities
Harpagophytum has 6 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiviral, Depressant.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | The journal of physical chemistry. A (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Depressant | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypotensive | Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Harpagophytum preparations | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Uncaria Hook | Plant biotechnology (Tokyo, Japan) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| capsule extract | BMC genomics (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dry powdered extracts | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oil | Journal of oleo science (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| extract from the root | Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herbal supplement | Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| traditional Chinese medicine | Pharmaceutical biology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |