Cat's claw safely aids arthritis treatmentChemotherapeutical effects of the herbal medicine Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC.
In this study, we explored the effects of the herbal medicine Uncaria tomentosa, commonly known as cat's claw, particularly in treating arthritis. Cat's claw has long been valued for its anti-inflammatory properties, but we aimed to assess its broader pharmacological potential, especially regarding cytotoxicity and mutagenicity.
Our approach involved administering aqueous extracts of cat's claw to Wistar rats and observing its impact on bone marrow cells. Over the course of either 24 hours or 7 days, we evaluated whether the extract posed any harmful effects. Remarkably, we found that cat's claw did not exhibit any signs of cytotoxicity or mutagenicity in our analyses.
Furthermore, we examined how cat's claw interacts with cyclophosphamide, a chemotherapeutic drug. Interestingly, when cat's claw extracts were given alongside or just before/after cyclophosphamide, they significantly reduced the chromosomal aberrations caused by the drug. This indicates that cat's claw could serve as a complementary treatment option, potentially improving overall quality of life for arthritis patients, especially those undergoing chemotherapy.
Overall, our findings support the safe use of this herbal remedy, which is accessible through the Brazilian Public Health System, for managing arthritis symptoms while enhancing the recovery experience during chemotherapy.