Efficacy and tolerance of Harpagophytum extract LI 174 in patients with chronic non‐radicular back pain

Various preparations from Harpagophytum procumbens are used for the treatment of pain in the joints and lower back. Studies published in peer reviewed journals were examined for their clinical evidence. The studies offering preparations with 50-60 mg harpagoside in the daily dosage are of better quality and provide more reliable evidence on efficacy than a proprietary ethanol extract with half the amount of harpagoside per day. However, confirmatory studies are required for all extracts before they can gain a place in treatment guidelines.

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The open uncontrolled study by Laudahn and Walper (2001) does at most indicate a trend of efficacy, potential confounders were not considered. Clinical efficacy can only be proven in a confirmatory study.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of Harpagophytum extracts and clinical efﬁcacy

Chrubasik

Conradt

Roufogalis

2004

“…Laudahn and Walper (2001) carried out an uncontrolled trial with 130 patients suffering from chronic non-radicular back pain that had lasted for at least 6 months prior to recruitment. The study lasted for 8 weeks with the administration of a daily dose of 960 mg Hp preparation.…”

Section: Chronic Non-specific Back Painmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of the biological and potential therapeutic actions of Harpagophytum procumbens

Grant

McBean

Fyfe

et al. 2007

Harpagophytum procumbens (Hp), commonly known as Devil's Claw is a perennial plant which thrives in arid conditions. For centuries, it has been used as a traditional treatment for a variety of illnesses, including fevers, skin complaints, arthritis and diseases of the digestive tract as well as an appetite stimulant. Since its introduction to Europe in the early twentieth century, it has become a popular antiinflammatory and analgesic preparation amongst herbalists for supportive or adjuvant treatment of degenerative joint diseases, tendonitis, headache, backache and menstrual pain. The validity of Hp as an effective antiinflammatory and analgesic preparation, particularly in the relief of arthritic symptoms, has been investigated in numerous animal, clinical and in vitro studies. Although some contradictory evidence exists, the majority of animal studies appear to indicate Hp as an effective antiinflammatory and analgesic preparation in the treatment of acute and subacute inflammation. Clinical trials support Hp as a beneficial treatment for the alleviation of pain and improvement of mobility in a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Analysis of the in vitro and ex vivo studies that currently exist, indicate that Hp has significant effects on numerous proinflammatory markers. However, the exact mechanism(s) by which Hp may reduce inflammation remain to be elucidated.

“…This study was designed specifically to investigate the effectiveness and safety of Hp tablets in the treatment of patients with general rheumatic disorders, monitoring a variety of biochemical and clinical parameters. Although other open studies have been carried out using aqueous Hp (Grahame and Robinson, 1981;Laudahn and Walper, 2001;Wegener and Lupke, 2003) none has looked at the influence of Hp on different joints, measured tolerance and safety parameters and assessed patient satisfaction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Effectiveness and safety of Devil's Claw tablets in patients with general rheumatic disorders

Warnock¹,

McBean²,

Suter³

et al. 2007

Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions (AORC) are the leading cause of disability, are associated with poor quality of life and incur considerable direct and indirect costs. It is considered that the instance of AORC will continue to increase. To assess the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of Harpagophytum (Bioforce) in the treatment of AORC, a single group open study of 8 weeks duration (259 patients) was performed in the United Kingdom. Effectiveness was assessed by numeric rating scales, the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index and the Algofunctional Hand Osteoarthritis Index. Tolerance was measured by a numeric rating scale and safety by self-reporting, blood analysis and liver function tests. Quality of life was measured by SF-12 questionnaire. There were statistically significant (p < 0.0001) improvements in patient assessment of global pain, stiffness and function. There were also statistically significant reductions in mean pain scores for hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and back pain. Quality of life measurements (SF-12) were significantly increased from baseline and 60% patients either reduced or stopped concomitant pain medication. Harpagophytum is an effective and well-tolerated serious treatment option for mild to moderate degenerative rheumatic disorders providing improved quality of life measure.