What is the recommended dose of Cat's Claw?

- **Look for:** Uncaria tomentosa species (NOT U. guianensis); AC-11® or C-Med 100® branded extract; standardized to pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids (POAs); bark extract - **Avoid:** U. guianensis s...

Is Cat's Claw safe to take daily?

Cat's Claw is rated "Generally Safe" based on clinical evidence. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

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Ingredient Research

Graded against 173,636 supplements + 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

Cat's Claw

MODERATE EVIDENCESupplementLast updated

AVELOR SUMMARY

Cat's claw is an Amazonian vine used for centuries in Peruvian traditional medicine, containing pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids (POAs) with immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Our research shows it's one of the few herbs that genuinely modulates both innate and adaptive immunity — a 2002 RCT found it enhanced vaccine response by increasing antibody titers after pneumococcal vaccination. For osteoarthritis, AC-11® (a patented water extract) reduced knee pain by 45% in 4 weeks. The critical distinction: there are TWO species — U. tomentosa (pentacyclic alkaloids, immune-supporting) and U. guianensis (tetracyclic alkaloids, potentially immune-SUPPRESSING). Products must specify species.

WHAT IT DOES

Cat's claw's pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids (isopteropodine, pteropodine, isomitraphylline, mitraphylline) modulate immune function through: (1) enhancing phagocytic activity of neutrophils and macrophages (innate immunity); (2) stimulating T-helper cell proliferation and IL-1/IL-6 production (adaptive immunity); (3) potent NF-κB inhibition (50-65% reduction), reducing inflammatory cytokine cascade. The AC-11 extract additionally enhances DNA repair enzyme activity — increasing the cell's ability to fix oxidative DNA damage. The anti-inflammatory effect is distinct from NSAIDs (immune modulation rather than COX inhibition).

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

Look for: Uncaria tomentosa species (NOT U. guianensis); AC-11® or C-Med 100® branded extract; standardized to pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids (POAs); bark extract
Avoid: U. guianensis species; products not specifying species; products containing tetracyclic alkaloids (TOAs); leaf-only extracts (alkaloid profile differs)
Minimum effective dose: 250mg AC-11 extract; or 300mg standardized bark extract
Third-party tested brands: AC-11 (Optigenex — patent holder), Nature's Way, NOW Foods

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SAFETY PROFILE

Critical Interactions (Do Not Combine Without Medical Supervision)

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

Theoretical/Low-Risk Interactions

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Independently graded against 173,636 indexed supplements with 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated:

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

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