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PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES - TOXICOLOGY - DRUG INTERACTIONS

Uncaria tomentosa [Uña de gato] (Cat’s Claw)

Uncaria tomentosa is a large, woody vine that derives its name from hook-like thorns that grow
along the vine and resemble the claws of a cat. The pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids of Cortex
Uncariae Tomentosae affect the cellular immune system (Reinhard, 1999). In vitro and in vivo
studies have demonstrated that the immunostimulating effects of Cortex Uncariae Tomentosae
is accomplished by modulating the secretion of multiple cytokines such as interleukin-1,
interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon (Spelman et al., 2011; Lemarie et
al., 2000). Two clinical studies have suggested that Cortex Uncariae Tomentosae may be an
immunostimulant and increase the number of white blood cells (WHO, 2007).

Toxicity for Cortex Uncariae Tomentosae has not been documented in dogs and cats when administered
orally in therapeutic doses.Oral LD of freeze-dried aqueous extract of pentacyclic alkaloid-type Radix Uncariae
50
TOXICOLOGY Equivalent toxic dose in 20 kg dog: >320 g PO of freeze-dried aqueous extract of pentacyclic
Tomentosae is >16 g/kg of body weight in mice (Reinhard, 1999).

>80 g PO of freeze-dried aqueous extract of pentacyclic
Equivalent toxic dose in 5 kg cat: alkaloid-type Radix Uncariae Tomentosae.
alkaloid-type Radix Uncariae Tomentosae.

DRUG Validated interactions studies do not exist for Cortex Uncariae Tomentosae preparations.
INTERACTIONS However, Cortex Uncariae Tomentosae inhibits CYP3A4 in vitro indicating that it may
increase the serum levels of drugs such as non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors,
cyclosporine, and some benzodiazepines (Scott & Elmer, 2002). Cortex Uncariae
Tomentosae was shown to increase the serum concentrations of atazanavir, ritonavir and
saquinavir (López et al., 2008).

Immunine -VM TM | 5