Chemotherapeutical effects of the herbal medicine Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC.

The use of medicinal plants dates back to the beginning of humanity, and today their application as complementary therapy has been widely disseminated as an alternative to conventional therapy. The medicinal plant named Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. (known as cat's claw) is a common woody vine of the Amazon forest that has traditionally been used in the treatment of arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic, mutagenic, and antimutagenic potentials of this medicinal plant. The biological activities of U. tomentosa were determined on bone marrow cells of Wistar rats that were treated in vivo. For the cytotoxic and mutagenic analyses, aqueous plant extract solutions were administered by gavage (1, 2, or 3 mg/mL) for 24 h (an acute treatment) or 7 days (a subchronic treatment). For the antimutagenic analyses, aqueous plant extract solutions (1 mg/mL) were administered by gavage before (pretreatment), simultaneous to (simultaneous treatment), or after (post-treatment), the administration of cyclophosphamide (1.5 mg/mL). U. tomentosa did not show any cytotoxic or mutagenic effects in any of the cytological or chromosomal analyses. Besides, the antimutagenic tests showed that the plant extracts displayed antimutagenic activities, which significantly reduced the percentages of the chromosomal aberrations that were induced by cyclophosphamide at 53.91, 58.60, and 57.03%, respectively, for the simultaneous treatment, pretreatment, and post-treatment. The results suggested a safe use of this herbal medicine that is available free of charge from the Brazilian Public Health System for the treatment of arthritis. This medicinal plant can also effectively contribute to improving the quality of life and the recovery of people undergoing chemotherapeutical treatments.

Reversible worsening of Parkinson disease motor symptoms after oral intake of Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw).

Uncaria tomentosa (UT), also known as cat's claw, isa Peruvian Rubiaceae species widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of a wide range of health problems. There is no report about the use, safety, and efficacy of UT in neurological disorders. We describe reversible worsening of motor signs in a patient with Parkinson disease after oral intake of UT, and some possible explanations are discussed.

Contribución al estudio de la planta uncaria tomentosa (uña de gato): como inmuno - estimulante / Contribution to the study of the plant Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw): as immune stimulant

Se trata de una contribución al estudio de la planta Uncaria Tormentosa como inmunoestimulante para fundamentar una investigación tipo Ensayo Clínico Controlado (E.C.C) ; motivado por comunicaciones de diferentes autores y usuarios. Esta primera aproximación se inició con apoyo limitado de CONCYTEC y LUSA, consta de introducción donde fundamentamos el estudio; Materiales y métodos que empleamos en especial el extracto alcohólico de la raíz de la Uncaria Tormentosa venido de Satipo-Mazamari; Resultados obtenidos en la experimentación de animales de laboratorio; Discusión de manera de comentarios y conclusiones preliminares; pues los definitivos serán una vez que completemos y ratifiquemos los resultados. Publicamos nuestros avances para demostrar nuestro interés en conocer las posibles bondades terapéuticas de la planta, acicatados por los estudios de los laboratorios Austricos Inmodal.