Cat's claw is one of the most significant herbs extracted from a tropical vine. Although very few benefits are verified by science, many experts say that it is beneficial for treating cancer, cancer symptoms, Arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and potential infections. Using a cat's claw for cancer treatment has miraculous effects. cat's claw, in a nutshell, is a tropical vine, which can grow up to 30 meters. It consists of peculiar and curved thorns that look similar to a cat's claw. It is found in limited regions of the world, such as the Amazon forest and Central and Southern America. It comes in the form of powder, capsule, tea, and similar liquid extracts.

Explore the potential of a cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) in cancer treatment. While referring to it as having "miraculous effects" requires caution, scientific studies have investigated its impact on cancer. cat's claw contains compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially aiding in cell protection and reducing inflammation associated with cancer development.

Also Read: Herbal medicines | Herb-Drug Interactions

Key Points:

1. Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties: Learn how Cat's Claw's compounds, such as alkaloids and polyphenols, possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may play a role in cancer treatment by protecting cells and reducing inflammation.
2. Immune System Modulation: Discover how Cat's Claw may modulate the immune system, potentially enhancing immune responses relevant to cancer treatment. However, further research is necessary to fully understand its effects in humans.
3. Anti-tumour Activity: Explore preliminary studies indicating potential anti-tumor effects of specific Cat's Claw compounds. These effects may include interfering with cancer cell growth, inducing cell death, or inhibiting tumor blood vessel formation. Nevertheless, more human trials are needed for confirmation.
4. Complementary Therapy: Learn how Cat's Claw is sometimes used as a complementary therapy alongside conventional cancer treatments. It may help alleviate certain treatment side effects, but rigorous research is required to establish its efficacy and safety in this context.

Cat's Claw and Cancer:

• Laboratory studies have found that compounds in it play a vital role in stimulating the performance of specific immune cells called T-helper and phagocytic cells. These cells, then, boost the immunity of the cancer patient.
• It is said to slow inflammation processes, heal the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and improve DNA repair.
• In a recent study, quinovic acid glycoside purified fraction of Cat's Claw was shown to have caused cell death and inhibited the growth of human bladder cancer cell lines.

However, only a few clinical trials have been performed on the human body. According to a recent study, Cat's Claw can trigger the remnant of pediatric Leukemia but this herb isn't safe for treating all types of cancer symptoms.

Mechanism of action

Specific compounds present in a cat's claw may stimulate the immune system, destroy cancer cells, and combat viruses.

Compounds identified in a cat's claw boosted the functioning of certain immune cells termed phagocytes and T-helper cells in laboratory trials. Cat's claw may also be able to decrease some of the processes that generate inflammation, improve DNA repair, and reduce the negative effects of chemotherapy. However, the majority of these effects are documented in laboratory investigations, with only a few modest human trials published. A cat's claw extract has been reported to promote the survival of pediatric leukemic cells, implying that this herb may not be suitable for all cancers.

Potential health advantages

Cat's claw has grown in popularity as an herbal remedy due to its claimed health advantages yet only the claims listed below are supported by appropriate research:

1) May stimulate your immune system.

Cats claw may boost your immune system, enabling you to fight infections more efficiently. Cats claw appears to work by both increasing immunological response and relaxing an overactive immune system.

A brief research of 27 men reported that consuming 700 mg of cat claw extract for two months raised their amount of white blood cells, which help fight infections.

Its anti-inflammatory effects may be accountable for its immune-boosting properties.
Despite these encouraging findings, more studies are required.

2) May reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Cats claw includes a unique chemical known as Pentacyclic Oxindolic Alkaloid (POA), which is considered to have anti-inflammatory properties, making it appealing as a potential treatment for arthritis.
Consuming a certain cat's claw extract orally seems to alleviate knee pain caused by physical activity. However, it does not appear to reduce knee inflammation or pain while resting.

In one trial of 45 participants with knee osteoarthritis, consuming 100 mg of cat's claw extract for four weeks relieved discomfort during physical exercise. There were no documented side effects. Yet, there was no improvement in either resting pain or knee edema.

Researchers believe that the anti-inflammatory qualities of cat's claw may help alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Please note that more studies on cat's claw and osteoarthritis are required.

3) May reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Consuming a specific cat's claw extract seems to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Cat's claw appears to lower the number of painful and swollen joints when used in conjunction with other rheumatoid arthritis treatments for 24 weeks.

A short trial employing a highly purified extract of a specific chemical makeup found a slight benefit in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, but greater well-designed investigations are necessary to verify such benefits.

A trial of 40 people having rheumatoid arthritis found that taking 60 mg of cat's claw extract daily in addition to conventional treatment resulted in a 29% drop in the number of aching joints when compared with a control group.

Similar to osteoarthritis, a cat's claw is known to lower inflammation in your body, thus relieving symptoms of rheumatoid.
Although these findings are encouraging, sufficient data is still lacking. Larger, high-quality investigations are required to confirm these advantages.

Unsupported health claims

Cats claw contains various active substances that may enhance health, including phenolic acids, alkaloids, and flavonoids.
However, there is currently insufficient data to substantiate many of its claimed advantages, particularly those for the illnesses listed below:

1) Cancer.

Cats claw has not been demonstrated to be an effective cancer treatment. Some preliminary research suggests that the POA (Pentacyclic Oxindolic Alkaloid) contained in cat claws may have anti-tumor capabilities.
Early research reveals that consuming 100 mg of cat claw extract three times daily for at least eight weeks may help reduce fatigue and enhance the quality of life in some people with solid tumors.

Some preliminary research suggests that the POA present in cat claws may have anti-tumor capabilities. POA is thought to be toxic in certain cancer cells and may have less of an effect on normal cells, which are generally harmed by chemotherapy. POA produced from the bark of a cat's claw was capable of killing and blocking the spread of breast cancer and Ewings sarcoma cells in test tube trials, according to a 2010 study from the University of Seville. Although the cytotoxic (cell-killing) impact was identical to that of the medicine Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), the amount required to accomplish this effect on the human body would most likely be prohibitively expensive. Nonetheless, the discovery points to a possible new path for cancer medication development.

According to a 2016 study, various strains of cats claw can destroy several kinds of cancer cells, including those from bladder cancer and glioblastoma, a kind of brain cancer. This study discovered that cat's claw does not affect healthy cells.

Cat's claw has also been demonstrated to have anticancer properties against many cancer cell lines, as well as anti-neoplastic properties in a breast cancer model. It was also shown to boost healthy hematopoietic tissue cells and minimize chemotherapy adverse effects including neutropenia. These findings have also been observed in cancer patients.

In a study of breast cancer patients, cat's claw lowered chemo-induced side effects and enhanced quality of life in individuals with advanced cancer.

However, cat's claw extract has been demonstrated to promote the survival of pediatric leukemic cells, implying that this herb may not be suitable for all cancers.

2) Viral infections.

3) Allergies.

4) Stomach and bowel diseases.

5) AIDS.

Side effects

While adverse effects of cat's claw are rarely encountered, there is currently inadequate research to establish its overall safety.
If ingested in large quantities, the high concentrations of tannins in cat's claw may cause nausea, stomach discomfort, and diarrhea.

Other probable side effects supported by case reports and test-tube research include low blood pressure, higher risk of bleeding, nerve damage, anti-estrogen effects, and harmful effects on renal function. However, these complaints are uncommon.

When taken orally: Cat's claw is POSSIBLY SAFE for most individuals when consumed for a short period. Some side effects include:

• Nausea
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Vomiting
• Low blood pressure

When the treatment is stopped, the majority of the adverse effects resolve on their own.
Cat's claw can also cause blood coagulation to slow, resulting in easy bruising and bleeding, especially in individuals taking anticoagulants.

Precautions and warnings

It is generally recommended that the following people should avoid or restrict their consumption of cat's claw:

• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding: Given the lack of safety information, cat's claw is not regarded as safe to consume during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• People suffering from auto-immune diseases: Individuals suffering from auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), or other similar issues should avoid consuming cat's claw. The immune system may become more active as a result of the cat's claw. This has the potential to exacerbate the symptoms of auto-immune illnesses. If you have any such disorder, its advisable to avoid using cat's claw without first consulting your doctor.
• People suffering from bleeding disorders: Cat's claw may delay blood coagulation. It may increase the risk of bruising or bleeding in individuals who have bleeding abnormalities.
• People who are taking certain medicines: Because cat claw may interact with certain medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure, cholesterol, cancer, and blood clotting, people should consult their healthcare professionals consuming it.
• People with low blood pressure: There is some indication that cat claw can reduce blood pressure. This could be an issue if your blood pressure is already low. Therefore, avoid consuming it in such cases.
• People who are presently having or will soon have surgery: It is believed that the cat's claw could make blood pressure regulation tougher during surgery. Avoid using cat's claws at least two weeks before surgery. Cat's claw can also lead blood coagulation to slow, resulting in easy bruising and bleeding, especially in individuals using anticoagulants. As a result, you should discontinue using cat's claw at least two weeks before surgery to minimize severe bleeding.
• Organ transplant recipients: Cat's claw may cause organ rejection in organ transplant recipients, therefore, patients with this condition should avoid it.

Drug interactions

Cat's claw has been shown to interact with many pharmaceutical medications, including:

• Allegra and other allergy drugs (fexofenadine)
• Anticoagulants(blood thinners)
• Antifungal medications
• Antiretroviral medications used to treat HIV,
• Cancer medications
• Cholesterol medicines, for example, lovastatin
• Diuretics
• Immunosuppressive drugs
• Contraceptives that are used orally

Dosage instructions

If you opt to use cat's claw, keep in mind that no dose standards have been determined. Dosing recommendations differ among manufacturers and are influenced more by existing methods than hard evidence.

According to the WHO, an average daily dose for extracts is 200-350 mg of dried stem bark or 300-500 mg for capsules, given in 23 distinct doses throughout the day. The dosage of cat's claw tinctures varies depending on the formulation's potency, but 1 to 4 milliliters(ml) daily is the typically suggested dose.

As a general guideline, never consume more than the amount indicated in the product description.

In research studies, the following doses have been investigated:

• For osteoarthritis: 100 mg of a particular freeze-dried cat's claw extract per day.
• For rheumatoid arthritis: 60 mg of a particular cat's claw extract daily in three split dosages.

One potential risk factor is that the FDA does not strictly monitor many herbal products, including cat's claw. To decrease the chances of contamination, it is better to buy cat's claw from a trusted seller.

Takeaway

Cat's claw is a well-known herbal remedy extracted from a tropical vine.

Also Read: Cat's Claw

While studies of many of its purported health advantages are limited, some data suggests that a cat's claw may help improve your immune system and alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Since no safety or dosage recommendations have been developed, it is important to seek medical advice before using a cat's claw.

It is a commonly known herbal supplement used for an array of medicinal purposes. Extensive research needs to be done to analyze and identify the possible benefits and disadvantages of Cat's Claw. Cat's Claw for cancer treatment is being used globally by many cancer patients for treating several cancer symptoms. Evaluating the right amount of dosage is an indispensable component to consider before consuming Claw.

Note: Remember to consult healthcare professionals before considering Cat's Claw or any alternative treatments, as it should not replace conventional medical approaches.

Conclusion

While Cat's Claw shows promise in cancer treatment, it should be approached with caution and not as a substitute for conventional medical therapies. It's important to consult healthcare professionals for guidance, as they can evaluate potential interactions, and risks, and provide the most suitable approach based on your unique circumstances.

Scientific research on natural remedies, including Cat's Claw, is ongoing, and claims of "miraculous effects" should be critically evaluated until supported by robust clinical evidence.

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Reference:

1. de Paula LC, Fonseca F, Perazzo F, Cruz FM, Cubero D, Trufelli DC, Martins SP, Santi PX, da Silva EA, Del Giglio A. Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) improves the quality of life in patients with advanced solid tumors. J Altern Complement Med. 2015 Jan;21(1):22-30. doi: 10.1089/acm.2014.0127. Epub 2014 Dec 11. PMID: 25495394.

2. Santos Arajo Mdo C, Farias IL, Gutierres J, Dalmora SL, Flores N, Farias J, de Cruz I, Chiesa J, Morsch VM, Chitolina Schetinger MR. Uncaria tomentosa-Adjuvant Treatment for Breast Cancer: Clinical Trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:676984. doi: 10.1155/2012/676984. Epub 2012 Jun 28. PMID: 22811748; PMCID: PMC3395261.