Interactions with Cat's Claw

Cat's claw extract inhibited the cytochrome P450 enzyme system in vitro (Budzinski et al. 2000). Specific interactions between this herb and conventional medications metabolized via the P450 system have not been documented to date. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is funding research to further evaluate interactions between botanicals and drugs (Council for Responsible Nutrition 2000).

Indomethacin

In rat studies, cat's claw tea given orally decreased indomethacin-induced enteritis (Sandoval-Chacon et al. 1998). Cat's claw may protect patients from gastrointestinal damage associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

References

Sandoval-Chacon M, et al. Anti-inflammatory actions of cat's claw: the role of NF-kappaB. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1998;12:1279-1289.

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