TO RESOLVE:
Awareness is growing that the rainforests are one of the world’s greatest natural resources. Based on current knowledge, it is estimated that the rainforests contain 170,000 of the world's 250,000 known plant species, and more are still being discovered. Continuing scientific studies are revealing many to be greatly beneficial for a broad number of medicinal uses.
As you will find in the study abstracts that follow, one of the most unique in its diversity and potential in medicinal applications is SAMENTO, also known as TOA-Free Cat's Claw. SAMENTO is a rare chemotype of the medicinal plant commonly known as Cat's Claw, Uncaria tomentosa.
Samento was approved as a medicine in Ecuador in 2004. Government officials have allowed 3 drug claims to be used: anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and immune system modulator. The Hungarian National Institute of Pharmacy (OGYI), the Hungarian equivalent of the FDA in the US, also approved SAMENTO in 2001 as paramedicament (OTC) pharmaceutical preparation as a “sole or adjunct therapy for rheumatoid diseases, arthritis, and locomotor conditions. It is also approved as a sole or adjunct therapy to enhance immune system function.”
Unlike traditional Cat's Claw products, the SAMENTO chemotype does not contain Tetracyclic Oxindole Alkaloids (TOAs), a group of chemical antagonists that act upon the central nervous system and can greatly inhibit the positive effect of the Pentacyclic Oxindole Alkaloids (POAs). The POAs primarily affect the immune cells responsible for nonspecific and cellular immunity and demonstrate powerful immune system modulating properties. According to research conducted in Austria, traditional Cat's Claw products may contain as much as 80% TOAs, and as little as 1% TOAs can cause a 30% reduction in the immune system modulating properties that POAs provide.
As a result of these phytochemical differences between SAMENTO and Cat's Claw, SAMENTO can be safely used in a broader range of medical conditions. Cat’s Claw acts as an immune system stimulant making it contraindicated in patients with autoimmune disorders, whereas SAMENTO is an immune system modulator. For this reason, SAMENTO can be used to treat all autoimmune disorders.
TOA-Free Cat’s Claw (SAMENTO) and isolated POAs such as mitraphylline, isomytraphylline, isopteropodine, and pteropodine continue to show promising results as they have been studied. The studies below reveal the exciting potential for the use of SAMENTO in various applications.
ANTIBACTERIAL
ANTICANCEROUS
ANTIDEPRESSANT
ANTIFUNGAL
ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE
ANTILEUKEMIC
ANTIMUTAGENIC
ANTI-OXIDANT
ANTIPARASITIC
ANTIPARKINSONISM
ANTI-ULCEROUS
ANTIVIRAL
CYTOSTATIC
DEPURATIVE
DIURETIC
VERMIFUGE
Priyanka A.S. Theophilus M.S., Eva Sapi Ph.D. (2013). In Vitro Effect of Peruvian Antimicrobial Agents on Borrelia burgdorferi Full Article
Weiss, J. (2019). Herb–Drug Interaction Potential of Anti-Borreliae Effective Extracts from Uncaria tomentosa (Samento) and Otoba parvifolia (Banderol) Assessed In Vitro. Molecules, 24(1),137. Full Article
I. Urdanibia, O. Estrada, P. Taylor (2007). The antitumor effect of Samento, pentacyclic chemotype of Uncaria tomentosa, is probably due to its anti-inflammatory activity. Full Article
Establishment of the Potential Anti-inflammatory Effect of the product known as Samento. The study demonstrated that Samento had a marked anti-inflammatory effect and was 86% as effective as Feldene, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug also known as PIROXICAM. University of Guayaquil, Department of Chemical Sciences, Guayaquil, Ecuador (2005) Full Article
Pilot Study: Effective Treatment of Lyme Borreliosis with Pentacyclic Alkaloid Uncaria tomentosa(TOA-free Cat’s Claw), Dallas, Texas, 2003. Full Article
Clinical Study: Use of Samento in Patients with Neurodystonia, L. Kaitazki, MD, Medical Institution of Internal Government Affairs, Bulgaria (2003) (N/A). Full Article
An acute oral toxicity study was conducted by the University of Guayaquil, Ecuador concluding that Samento did not produce toxic effects, thus the product is considered practically innocuous for humans when administered in the acute form. Therefore; studies of acute toxicity at higher doses in humans are not necessary. Full Article
Datar, A. N., Kaur, N., Patel, S., Luecke, D. F., & Sapi, E. (2010). In Vitro Effectiveness of Samento and Banderol Herbal Extracts on Different Morphological Forms of Borrelia Burgdorferi (Doctoral dissertation, University of New Haven). Full Article
Snow, A. D., Castillo, G. M., Nguyen, B. P., Choi, P. Y.,Cummings, J. A., Cam, J., ... & Kirschner, D. A. (2019). The Amazon rainforest plant Uncaria tomentosa (cat’s claw) and its specific proanthocyanidin constituents are potent inhibitors and reducers of both brain plaques and tangles. Scientific Reports 9(1), 561.Full Article
Bigliani, M. C., Rosso, M. C., Zunino, P. M., Baiardi, G., & Ponce,A. A. (2013). Anxiogenic-like effects ofUncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. aqueous extract in an elevated plus maze test inmice: a preliminary study. Natural product research, 27(18), 1682-1685. Full Article
Dietrich, F., Kaiser,S., Rockenbach, L., Figueiró, F., Bergamin, L. S., da Cunha, F. M., ... &Battastini, A. M. O. (2014). Quinovicacid glycosides purified fraction from Uncaria tomentosa induces cell death byapoptosis in the T24 human bladder cancer cell line. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 67, 222-229. Full Article
Prado, E. G., Gimenez,M. G., De la Puerta Vázquez, R., Sánchez, J. E., & Rodriguez, M. S. (2007). Antiproliferative effects ofmitraphylline, a pentacyclic oxindole alkaloid of Uncaria tomentosa on humanglioma and neuroblastoma cell lines. Phytomedicine, 14(4),280-284. Full Article
Baraya, Y. U. S. A. B.,Wong, K. K., & Yaacob, N. S. (2017). The immunomodulatory potential of selected bioactive plant-based compounds in breast cancer: a review. Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Formerly Current Medicinal Chemistry-Anti-Cancer Agents), 17(6), 770-783. Full Article
García Giménez, M. D., García Prado, E., Sáenz Rodríguez, M. T., Fernández Arche, M. D. L. Á., & Puerta Vázquez-Zafra, R. D. L. (2010). Cytotoxic effect of the pentacyclic oxindole alkaloid mitraphylline isolated from Uncaria tomentosa bark on human Ewing's sarcoma and breast cancer cell lines. Planta Medica, 76, 133-136. Full Article
Riva, L., Coradini, D., Di, G. F., De, V. F., De, N. T., De, F. S., & Pizza, C. (2001). The antiproliferative effects of Uncaria tomentosa extracts and fractions on the growth of breast cancer cell line. Anticancer Research, 21(4A), 2457-2461. Full Article
Araújo, S., do Carmo, M., Farias, I. L., Gutierres, J., Dalmora, S. L.,Flores, N., ... & Chitolina Schetinger, M. R. (2012). Uncaria tomentosa—adjuvant treatment for breast cancer: clinical trial. Evidence-BasedComplementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012. Full Article
Yuan, X., Sun, H., Liu, Y., Shiroshita,T., Kawano, S., Takeshi, S., ... & Zhang, Z. (2014). Anti-cancer activity comparisons of aqueous extracts from Inonotusobliquus, Cordyceps militaris and Uncaria tomentosa in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 2(6). Full Article
Magalhães, L. B., Fonseca, F., Cubero, D., & Del Giglio, A.(2018). Phase II Pilot Clinical Study of the Use of Uncaria tomentosa(Cat’s Claw) Combined with Paullinia cupana (Guarana) for the Treatment of Symptoms in Terminal Cancer Patienna (Guarana) for the Treatment of Symptoms in Terminal Cancer Patients. Journal of Natural Remedies, 18(2), 55-62. Full Article
Gurrola-Díaz, C. M., García-López, P. M.,Gulewicz, K., Pilarski, R., & Dihlmann, S. (2011). Inhibitory mechanisms of two Uncaria tomentosa extracts affecting the Wnt-signaling pathway. Phytomedicine, 18(8-9), 683-690. Full Article
Finney-Brown, T. (2010). Anticancer effects of Uncaria tomentosa. Australian Journal of Medical Herbalism, 22(4), 150-151. Full Article
Dietrich, F., Martins,J. P., Kaiser, S., Silva, R. B. M., Rockenbach, L., Edelweiss, M. I. A., ...& Battastini, A. M. O. (2015). The quinovic acid glycosides purified fraction from Uncaria tomentosa protects against hemorrhagic cystitis induced by cyclophosphamide in mice. PloS one, 10(7), e0131882. Full Article
Reis, S. R. I., Valente,L. M., Sampaio, A. L., Siani, A. C., Gandini, M., Azeredo, E. L., ... &Kubelka, C. F. (2008). Immunomodulating and antiviral activities of Uncaria tomentosa on human monocytes infected with Dengue Virus-2. International Immunopharmacology,8(3), 468-476. Full Article
Tay, L. Y., Dos Santos,F. A., & Jorge, J. H. (2015). Uncaria tomentosa gel against denture stomatitis: clinical report. Journal of Prosthodontics,24(7), 594-597. Full Article
Neto, J. N., Coelho, T.M., Aguiar, G. C., Carvalho, L. R., de Araújo, A. G. P., Girão, M. J. B., & Schor, E. (2011). Experimental endometriosis reduction in rats treated with Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw)extract. European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 154(2), 205-208. Full Article
Caon, T., Kaiser, S.,Feltrin, C., de Carvalho, A., Sincero, T. C. M., Ortega, G. G., & Simões,C. M. O. (2014). Antimutagenic and antiherpetic activities of different preparations from Uncaria tomentosa (cat’s claw). Food and Chemical Toxicology, 66, 30-35. Full Article
Araujo, L. C., Feitosa, K.B., Murata, G. M., Furigo, I. C., Teixeira, S. A., Lucena, C. F., ... & Bordin, S. (2018). Uncaria tomentosa improves insulin sensitivity and inflammation in experimental NAFLD. Scientific reports, 8(1), 11013. Full Article
Zhang, Q., Zhao, J. J., Xu,J., Feng, F., & Qu, W. (2015). Medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Uncaria. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 173, 48-80. Full Article
Hao, P. P., Jiang, F., Chen,Y. G., Yang, J., Zhang, K., Zhang, M. X., ... & Zhang, Y. (2015). Traditional Chinese medication for cardiovascular disease. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 12(2), 115. Full Article
Ranilla, L. G., Kwon, Y.I., Apostolidis, E., & Shetty, K. (2010). Phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and in vitro inhibitory potential against key enzymes relevant for hyperglycemia and hypertension of commonly used medicinal plants, herbs and spices in Latin America. Bioresource technology, 101(12), 4676-4689. Full Article
Layanne C C Arauj, Isadora C Furig, Gilson M Murata, J Donato Jr, Silvana Bordin, Rui Curi & Carla R O Carvalho (2017). The insulin resistance induced by obesity is reversed by Uncaria tomentosa through modulation of inflammatory pathway in the liver of mice. Journal of Diabetes and medicine, 8(10). Full Article
Domingues, A., Sartori, A., Golim, M. A., Valente, L. M. M., da Rosa, L. C., Ishikawa, L. L. W., ...& Viero, R. M. (2011). Prevention of experimental diabetes by Uncaria tomentosa extract: Th2 polarization, regulatory T cell preservation or both?. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 137(1), 635-642. Full Article
Yessoufou,A., Gbenou, J., Grissa, O., Hichami, A., Simonin, A. M., Tabka, Z., ... & Khan, N. A. (2013). Anti-hyperglycemic effects of three medicinal plants in diabetic pregnancy: modulation of T cell proliferation. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 13(1), 77. Full Article
Araujo, L. C., Feitosa,K. B., Murata, G. M., Furigo, I. C., Teixeira, S. A., Lucena, C. F., ... &Bordin, S. (2018). Uncaria tomentosa improves insulin sensitivity and inflammation in experimental NAFLD. Scientific reports, 8(1),11013. Full Article
Mahmoudian-Sani,M., Luther, T., Asadi-Samani, M., Saeedi-Boroujeni, A., & Gholamian, N.(2017). A new approach for treatment of type 1 diabetes: Phytotherapy and phytopharmacology of regulatory T cells. J Renal Inj Prev, 6(3),158-63. Full Article
Pane,Y. S., Ganie, R. A., Lindarto, D., & Lelo, A. (2018). The Effect of Gambier Extract on the Levels of Malondialdehyde, Superoxide Dismutase, and Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients. Asian J Pharm Clin Res,11(10), 121-124. Full Article
Pilarski, R.,Poczekaj-Kostrzewska, M., Ciesiolka, D., Szyfter, K., & Gulewicz, K.(2007). Antiproliferative activity of various Uncaria tomentosa preparations on HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells. Pharmacological reports,59(5), 565. Full Article
Eberlin, S., dos Santos,L. M., & Queiroz, M. L. (2005). Uncaria tomentosa extract increases the number of myeloid progenitor cells in the bone marrow of mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes. International Immunopharmacology, 5(7-8), 1235-1246. Full Article
Piscoya, J., Rodriguez,Z., Bustamante, S. A., Okuhama, N. N., Miller, M. J. S., & Sandoval, M.(2001). Efficacy and safety of freeze-dried cat's claw in osteoarthritis of the knee: mechanisms of action of the species Uncaria guianensis. Inflammation Research, 50(9), 442-448. Full Article
Hardin,S. R. (2007). Cat's claw: an Amazonian vine decreases inflammation in osteoarthritis. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 13(1), 25-28. Full Article
Mur, E., Hartig, F.,Eibl, G., & Schirmer, M. (2002). Randomized double-blind trial of an extract from the pentacyclic alkaloid-chemotype of Uncaria tomentosa for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The Journal of Rheumatology,29(4), 678-681. Full Article
Ciani, F., Tafuri, S.,Troiano, A., Cimmino, A., Fioretto, B. S., Guarino, A. M., ... & Calabrò,V. (2018). Anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of Uncaria tomentosa aqueous extract in squamous carcinoma cells. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 211, 285-294. Full Article
Rinner, B., Li, Z. X.,Haas, H., Siegl, V., Sturm, S., Stuppner, H., & Pfragner, R. (2009). Antiproliferative and pro-apoptoticeffects of Uncaria tomentosa in human medullary thyroid carcinoma cells. Anticancer Research,29(11), 4519-4528. Full Article
Santos, K. F.,Gutierres, J. M., Pillat, M. M., Rissi, V. B., dos Santos Araújo, M. D. C.,Bertol, G., ... & Morsch, V. M. (2016). Uncaria tomentosa extract alters the catabolism of adenine nucleotides and expressionof ecto-5′-nucleotidase/CD73 and P2X7 and A1 receptors in the MDA-MB-231cell line. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 194, 108-116. Full Article
dePaula, L. C. L., Fonseca, F., Perazzo, F., Cruz, F. M., Cubero, D., Trufelli,D. C., ... & del Giglio, A. (2015). Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) improves quality of life in patients with advanced solid tumors. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 21(1), 22-30. Full Article
Dreifuss, A. A., Bastos-Pereira, A. L., Ávila, T. V., da Silva Soley, B., Rivero, A. J.,Aguilar, J. L., & Acco, A. (2010). Antitumoral and antioxidant effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) (Willd. Ex Roem. & Schult) in an in vivo carcinosarcoma model. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 130(1), 127-133. Full Article
Allen,L., Buckner, A., Buckner, C. A., Cano, P., & Lafrenie, R. M. (2017). Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC (Rubiaceae) sensitizes THP-1 cells to radiation-induced cell death. Pharmacognosy Research,9(3), 221. Full Article
Farias,I., do Carmo Araújo, M., Zimmermann, E. S., Dalmora, S. L., Benedetti, A. L.,Alvarez-Silva, M., ... & Schetinger, M. R. C. (2011). Uncaria tomentosa stimulates the proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 137(1), 856-863. Full Article
Farias,I. L. G., Araújo, M. C. S., Farias, J. G., Rossato, L. V., Elsenbach, L. I.,Dalmora, S. L., ... & Schetinger, M. R. C.(2012). Uncariatomentosa for reducing side effects caused by chemotherapy in CRC patients: clinical trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012. Full Article
Nowakowska,J., Bany, J., Zdanowska, D., Czubaj, A., Kuraś, M., & Skopińska-Różewska, E.(2009). Experimental Immunology: The effect of the bark water extract Uncaria tomentosa on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in mice. Central European Journal of Immunology, 34(3), 162-165. Full Article
Rodrigues, R. A., de Araujo, A. V., daCunha, R. M., & Carvalho, C. M. (2018). Antibacterial activity of endophytic fungi from the medicinal plant Uncfaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 12(15), 179-185. Full Article
Moraes,R. C., Carvalho, A. R., Lana, A. J. D., Kaiser, S., Pippi, B., Fuentefria, A.M., & Ortega, G. G. (2017). In vitro synergism of a water insoluble fraction of Uncaria tomentosa combined with fluconazole and terbinafine against resistant non-Candida albicans isolates. Pharmaceutical biology, 55(1), 406-415. Full Article
Moraes,R. C., Dalla Lana, A. J., Kaiser, S., Carvalho, A. R., de Oliveira, L. F. S., Fuentefria, A. M., & Ortega, G. G. (2015). Antifungal activity of Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC against resistant non-albicans Candida isolates. Industrial Crops and Products,69, 7-14. Full Article
Montserrat-dela Paz, S., Fernandez-Arche, A., de la Puerta, R., Quilez, A. M., Muriana, F.J., Garcia-Gimenez, M. D., & Bermudez, B. (2016). Mitraphylline inhibits lipopolysaccharide-mediated activation of primary human neutrophils. Phytomedicine, 23(2), 141-148. Full Article
Rojas-Duran,R., González-Aspajo, G., Ruiz-Martel, C., Bourdy, G., Doroteo-Ortega, V. H.,Alban-Castillo, J., ... & Deharo, E. (2012). Anti-inflammatory activity of Mitraphylline isolated from Uncaria tomentosa bark. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 143(3),801-804. Full Article
Gonçalves,C., Dinis, T., & Batista, M. T. (2005). Antioxidant properties of proanthocyanidins of Uncaria tomentosa bark decoction: a mechanism for anti-inflammatory activity. Phytochemistry, 66(1), 89-98. Full Article
Allen-Hall,L., Cano, P., Arnason, J. T., Rojas, R., Lock, O., & Lafrenie, R. M.(2007). Treatment of THP-1 cells with Uncaria tomentosa extracts differentially regulates the expression if IL-1β and TNF-α. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 109(2), 312-317. Full Article
Aguilar, J. L., Rojas, P.,Marcelo, A., Plaza, A., Bauer, R., Reininger, E., ... & Merfort, I. (2002). Anti-inflammatory activity of two different extracts of Uncaria tomentosa (Rubiaceae). Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 81(2), 271-276. Full Article
Sandoval, M., Okuhama, N. N.,Zhang, X. J., Condezo, L. A., Lao, J., Angeles, F. M., ... & Miller, M. J.S. (2002). Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis) are independent of their alkaloid content. Phytomedicine, 9(4),325-337. Full Article
Azevedo,B. C., Morel, L. J. F., Carmona, F., Cunha, T. M., Contini, S. H. T., Delprete, P. G., ... & Borges, M. C. (2018). Aqueous extracts from Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC. reduce bronchial hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in a murine model of asthma. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 218, 76-89. Full Article
Paniagua‐Pérez, R., Madrigal‐Bujaidar, E., Molina‐Jasso, D., Reyes‐Cadena, S., Álvarez‐González, I., Sánchez‐Chapul, L., & Pérez‐Gallaga, J. (2009). Antigenotoxic, antioxidant, and lymphocyte induction effects produced by pteropodine. Basic & clinical pharmacology& toxicology, 104(3), 222-227. Full Article
Herrera,D. R., Tay, L. Y., Rezende, E. C., Kozlowski Jr, V. A., & dos Santos, E. B.(2010). In vitro antimicrobial activity of phytotherapic Uncaria tomentosa against endodontic pathogens. Journal of oral science,52(3), 473-476. Full Article
Ccahuana-Vasquez, R. A., Santos, S. S. F. D., Koga-Ito, C.Y., & Jorge, A. O. C. (2007). Antimicrobial activity of Uncaria tomentosa against oralhuman pathogens. Brazilian oral research, 21(1), 46-50. Full Article
Dreifuss,A. A., Bastos-Pereira, A. L., Fabossi, I. A., dos Reis Lívero, F. A., Stolf, A.M., de Souza, C. E. A., ... & Teixeira, S. (2013). Uncaria tomentosa exerts extensive anti-neoplastic effects against the Walker-256 tumor by modulating oxidative stress and not by alkaloid activity. PLoS One, 8(2), e54618. Full Article
Rinner,B., Li, Z. X., Haas, H., Siegl, V., Sturm, S., Stuppner, H., & Pfragner, R.(2009). Anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of Uncaria tomentosa in human medullary thyroid carcinoma cells. Anticancer research, 29(11), 4519-4528. Full Article
Bukowska,B., Bors, M., Gulewicz, K., & Koter-Michalak, M. (2012). Uncaria tomentosa extracts protect human erythrocyte catalase against damage induced by 2, 4-D-Na and its metabolites. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 50(6), 2123-2127. Full Article
Amaral,S., Mira, L., Nogueira, J. M. F., da Silva, A. P., & Florêncio, M. H.(2009). Plant extracts with anti-inflammatory properties—A new approach for characterization of their bioactive compounds and establishment of structure-antioxidant activity relationships. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 17(5), 1876-1883. Full Article
Trejo‐Tapia, G., Sepúlveda‐Jiménez, G., Trejo‐Espino, J. L., Cerda‐García‐Rojas, C. M., De La Torre, M., Rodríguez‐Monroy, M., & Ramos‐Valdivia, A. C. (2007). Hydrodynamic stress induces monoterpenoid oxindole alkaloid accumulation by Uncaria tomentosa (Willd) DC cell suspension cultures via oxidative burst. Biotechnology and Bioengineering,98(1), 230-238. Full Article
Cisneros,F. J., Jayo, M., & Niedziela, L. (2005). An Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) extract protects mice against ozone-induced lung inflammation. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 96(3), 355-364. Full Article
Navarro-Hoyos, M., Alvarado-Corella, D.,Moreira-Gonzalez, I., Arnaez-Serrano, E., & Monagas-Juan, M. (2018). Polyphenolic Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts from Uncaria tomentosa Bark and Leaves. Antioxidants, 7(5), 65. Full Article
Kang,T. H., Matsumoto, K., Tohda, M., Murakami, Y., Takayama, H., Kitajima, M., ...& Watanabe, H. (2002). Pteropodine and isopteropodine positively modulate the function of rat muscarinic M1 and 5-HT2 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocyte. European journal of pharmacology, 444(1-2), 39-45. Full Article
Sandoval,M., Charbonnet, R. M., Okuhama, N. N., Roberts, J., Krenova, Z., Trentacosti,A. M., & Miller, M. J. (2000). Cat’s Claw inhibits TNFα production and scavenges free radicals: role in cytoprotection. Free Radical Biology and Medicine,29(1), 71-78. Full Article
Lozada-Requena,I., Núñez, C., Alvárez, Y., Kahn, L., & Aguilar, J. (2015). Lymphocyte subsets, dendritic cells and cytokine profiles in mice with melanoma treated with Uncaria tomentosa. Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Publica, 32(4), 633-642.(Spanish). Full Article
Núñez,C., Lozada-Requena, I., Ysmodes, T., Zegarra, D., Saldaña, F., & Aguilar,J. (2015). Immunomodulation of Uncaria tomentosa over dendritic cells, il-12 and profile TH1/TH2/TH17 in breast cancer. Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Publica, 32(4), 643-651. Full Article
Montserrat-DeLa Paz, S., De la Puerta, R., Fernandez-Arche, A., Quilez, A. M., Muriana, F.J. G., Garcia-Gimenez, M. D., & Bermudez, B. (2015). Pharmacological effects of mitraphylline from Uncaria tomentosa in primary human monocytes: skew toward M2 macrophages. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 170, 128-135. Full Article
Domingues,A., Sartori, A., Valente, L. M. M., Golim, M. A., Siani, A. C., & Viero, R.M. (2011). Uncaria tomentosa Aqueous‐ethanol Extract Triggers an Immunomodulation toward a Th2 Cytokine Profile. Phytotherapy Research, 25(8), 1229-1235. Full Article
Kang,T. H., Matsumoto, K., Tohda, M., Murakami, Y., Takayama, H., Kitajima, M., ...& Watanabe, H. (2002). Pteropodine and isopteropodine positively modulate the function of rat muscarinic M1 and 5-HT2 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocyte. European Journal of Pharmacology,444(1-2), 39-45. Full Article
Karl-Heinz Reinhard (1999). Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) D.C.: Cat's Claw, Una de Gato, or Saventaro. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, pp. 143-151 Full Article
Jürgensen, S., DalBó, S., Angers, P.,Santos, A. R. S., & Ribeiro-do-Valle, R. M. (2005). Involvement of 5-HT2 receptors in the antinociceptive effect of Uncaria tomentosa. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 81(3), 466-477. Full Article
Why this Finnish Doctor Believes in Herbs, Marjo Valonen MD, Townsend Letter, July 2018 Full Article
A Hidden Epidemic: Integrative Treatment of Lyme Disease, Scott Forsgren, March 2009 Full Article
Chronic Fatigue Often Misdiagnosed Lyme: Is Samento An Answer?, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, October 2004. Full Article
Samento: New Remedy for an Ancient Enemy—Lyme Disease, James South, Vitamin Research News, Vol. 18, Number 6, July 2004. Full Article
Samento in the Primary Care Setting, John Kule, MD. British Naturopathic Journal, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2002. Full Article
Why Samento Successfully Treats Over 100 Diseases, Atanas Tzonkov, Director of Lechitel Health Center, Lechitel Weekly, April 2002. Full Article
Cowden Support Program for Lyme: Observational Study – Dublin, Ireland – June, 2012 Armin Schwarzbach, MD PhD Full Video
Report on Tetracyclic Oxindole-free Uncaria Tomentosa also known as Cat’s Claw or Una de Gato, presented by Michael Coyle, NuLife Sciences at the Samento Conference, Florida, USA, May 2002. Full Article
Samento Normalizes Blood Pressure (Preliminary Data) Associate professor Ludmila Ivanova, MD, Ph.D., presented at the 4th Annual Samento Conference, Sofia, Bulgaria, October 2003. Full Article
A Rare Chance for Humanity- presented by Brian Lamb, Medical Herbalist, Scotland at the International Samento Conference, Sofia, Bulgaria, March 22, 2001. Full Article
"A 'must have' in your Lyme-treatment arsenal." -G.W.
"Found out about Samento from my dogs' veterinarian. I'm adding it to her raw food diet because of H. pylori and lime disease that she had. Also, I'm taking it as well, since we live under one roof and H. pylori are contagious." -F.L.
"This stuff is amazing for Lyme's Disease. It really does work and I notice rheumatic and arthritic pain beginning to go away in my joints." -S.O.
“Have been taking this daily for the past 22 years... keeps you healthy. You can fight off colds and flu fast and most of the time you never get them” – D.K
“I've been using Samento when needed for about 8 years. I have an auto-immune disease and get frequent bladder infections. Samento will clear up most of them. Follow directions! It may be OTC but still powerful. Don't take 2x suggested dose thinking it will work faster. Notice it says to let sit in water for 1 minute before taking”. - K.B
30 drops twice daily at least 30 minutes before meals (start with 1 drop in 4 oz. of water adding a drop with each dose).
An acute oral toxicity study was conducted by the University of Guayaquil, Ecuador concluding that Samento did not produce toxic effects, thus the product is considered practically innocuous for humans when administered in the acute form. Therefore; studies of acute toxicity at higher doses in humans are not necessary. Full Article
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of orally administered Uncaria tomentosa aqueous extracts (UTE) (Willd. ex Roem.&Schult.) DC. (Rubiaceae) during 7, 15, 30 and 90 days of treatment on the expression of anxiety, as expressed in the elevated plus maze test in male Albino Swiss mice.
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa(“una˜ de gato”; “cat’s claw”), a woody vine native to the Amazon rainforest,is commonly used in South American traditional medicine to treat a broad spectrum of diseases.Although recent studies have reported anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties of different alkaloids extracted from this plant, the underlying molecular mechanisms of these effects have not been elucidated yet.
Download PDFRead moreSilymarin and silybin are some of the major bioactive constituents of St Marys Thistle (Silybum marianum), displaying potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activity. These effects may be useful in reducing neurological injury induced by ischemic stroke.
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa (Willd. Ex Schult) DC is used by indigenous tribes in the Amazonian region of Central and South America to treat inflammation, allergies and asthma. The therapeutic properties of U. tomentosa have been attributed to the presence of tetracyclic and pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids and to phenolic acids.
Download PDFRead moreThis study was designed to determine the diversity and antibacterial activity of endophytic fungi isolated from Uncaria tomentosa. Leaf and stem were disinfected superficially and inoculated in PDA and SDA medium, with and without plant extract and incubated at 18 and 28°C for isolation of endophytic fungi.
Download PDFRead moreBrain aging and Alzheimer’s disease both demonstrate the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein containing “plaques” and tau protein containing “tangles” that contribute to accelerated memory loss and cognitive decline. In the present investigation we identified a specific plant extract and its constituents as a potential alternative natural solution for preventing and reducing both brain “plaques and tangles”.
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC (Rubiaceae) is a vine that grows in the Amazon rainforest. Its bark decoctions are used by Peruvian Indians to treat several diseases. Chemically, it consists mainly of oxindole alkaloids.
Download PDFRead moreCat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianesis) is a medicinalplant from the Amazon commonly used to treat disorders such as arthritis, gastritis and osteoarthritis. The mechanism of cat’s claw appears to be as an inhibitor of TNFa and antioxidant.
Download PDFRead moreSamento (extract from Uncaria tomentosa) and Banderol (extract from Otoba parvifolia) have been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, e.g., against different morphological forms of Borrelia burgdorferi. However, there is hardly any data on the pharmacological safety of these two herbal medicines.
Download PDFRead moreTo evaluate the effectiveness of Uncaria tomentosa in minimizing the side effects of chemotherapy and improving the antioxidant status of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, a randomized clinical trial was conducted.
Download PDFRead morePrevious studies in patients with advanced cancer have reported that Cat’s claw dry extract (Uncaria tomentosa) and Guarana (Paullinia cupana) showed beneficial effects in patients with terminal cancer. Our objective is to investigate the combined action of these extracts in the control of symptoms in these patients.
Download PDFRead moreThe previous study was to investigate the anti-cancer activity of aqueous extracts from Inonotus obliquus (IO), Cordyceps militaris (CM) and Uncaria tomentosa (UT). The antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities of aqueous extracts were measured and compared.
Download PDFRead moreBreast cancer is the most frequent neoplasm affecting women worldwide. Some of the recommended treatments involve chemotherapy whose toxic effects include leukopenia and neutropenia. This study assessed the effectiveness of Uncaria tomentosa (Ut) in reducing the adverse effects of chemotherapy through a randomized clinical trial.
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa constitutes an important source of secondary metabolites with diverse biological activities mainly attributed until recently to alkaloids and triterpenes. We have previously reported for the first-time the polyphenolic profile of extracts from U. tomentosa, using a multi-step process involving organic solvents, as well as their antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial activity on aerial bacteria, and cytotoxicity on cancer cell lines.
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa is considered a medicinal plant used over centuries by the peruvian population as an alternative treatment for several diseases. Many microorganisms usually inhabit the human oral cavity and under certain conditions can become etiologic agents of diseases.
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa, commonly known as cat’s claw, is a medicinal plant native to Peru, which has been used for decades in the treatment of various inflammatory disorders. Uncaria tomentosa can be used as an antioxidant, has anti-apoptotic properties, and can enhance DNA repair, however it is best know for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Download PDFRead moreCat’s claw is an herbal medicine from the Amazon that is used widely to treat inflammatory disorders. The purpose of this study was to characterize the antioxidative and antiinflammatory properties of cat’s claw, Uncaria tomentosa (UT) and Uncaria guianensis (UG)
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. (Rubiaceae), commonly known as ‘Cat’s claw’ or ‘un˜a de gato’, is a vine that grows in the Amazon rainforest. In Peru, its bark has been traditionally used for the treatment of many ailments, such as viral infections, cancer, gastric illnesses (gastric ulcers), arthritis and other inflammatory disorders (Reinhard, 1997).
Download PDFRead moreIn this study, we demonstrated that Uncaria tomentosa extract (UTE) protects mice from a lethal dose of Listeria monocytogenes when administered prophylactically at 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg for 7 days, with survival rates up to 35%. These doses also prevented the myelosuppression and the splenomegaly caused by a sublethal infection with L. monocytogenes, due to increased numbers of granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (CFU-GM) in the bone marrow.
Download PDFRead moreWe investigated the effect of the crude herbal extract from Uncaria tomentosa (UT) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in two models of obesity: high fat diet (HFD) and genetically obese (ob/ob) mice.
Download PDFRead moreWe investigated the effect of the herbal extract Uncaria tomentosa (Ut) (50 mg/kg, crude extract, for 5 consecutive days) in two mice models of obesity: high fat diet (DIO) fed mice and the genetic ob/ob mice.
Download PDFRead moreType 1 diabetes (T1D), which resulting in hyperglycemia, is an autoimmune disease. This disease characterized by destruction of the insulin-secreting cells of the islets of Langerhans. The CD4 T regulatory cells (Tregs) are important for prevention of disease. Treg cells (defined as CD4+CD25+Foxp3+) have been found to play a critical role in maintaining self-tolerance and preventing autoimmune diseases.
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. (Rubiaceae) (Ut), also known as cat's claw, is a woody liana widely spread throughout the Amazon rainforest of Central and South America, containing many chemical constituents such as oxindole alkaloids, which are responsible for various biological activities.
Download PDFRead moreType 1 diabetes (T1D), which resulting in hyperglycemia, is an autoimmune disease. This disease characterized by destruction of the insulin-secreting cells of the islets of Langerhans. The CD4 T regulatory cells (Tregs) are important for prevention of disease.
Download PDFRead moreThe genus Uncaria belongs to the family Rubiaceae, which mainly distributed in tropical regions, such as Southeast Asia, Africa and Southeast America. Their leaves and hooks have long been thought to have healing powers and are already being tested as a treatment for asthma, cancer, cirrhosis, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and rheumatism. The present review aims to provide systematically reorganized information on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Uncaria to support for further therapeutic potential of this genus.
Download PDFRead moreTraditionally used medicinal plants, herbs and spices in Latin America were investigated to determine their phenolic profiles, antioxidant activity and in vitro inhibitory potential against key enzymes relevant for hyperglycemia and hypertension.
Download PDFRead moreWe investigated the effect of the crude herbal extract from Uncaria tomentosa (UT) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in two models of obesity: high fat diet (HFD) and genetically obese (ob/ob) mice. Both obese mouse models were insulin resistant and exhibited an abundance of lipid droplets in the hepatocytes and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver, while only the HFD group had collagen deposition in the perivascular space of the liver.
Download PDFRead moreTraditional Chinese medication (TCM) is increasingly used to treat cardiovascular disease (CVD) in China and some other Asian countries. However, therapeutic efficacy and adverse effects of TCM are difficult to evaluate because few large-scale, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) enrolling patients with CVD have been performed. In this Review, we critically examine the current evidence on the cardiovascular effects of TCM.
Download PDFRead morePopulations in Africa mostly rely on herbal concoctions for their primarily health care, but so far scientific studies supporting the use of plants in traditional medicine remain poor. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-hyperglycemic effects of Picralima nitida (seeds), Nauclea latifolia (root and stem) and Oxytenanthera abyssinica (leaves) commonly used, in diabetic pregnancy.
Download PDFRead moreWe investigated the effect of the herbal extract Uncaria tomentosa (Ut) (50 mg/kg, crude extract, for 5 consecutive days) in two mice models of obesity: high fat diet (DIO) fed mice and the genetic ob/ob mice. Both obese mice exhibited diabetes (151±4 mg*dL-1 vs. 90±2 mg*dL-1 and 205±15 mg/dL vs. 163±11 mg/dL, p<0.05, respectively) and insulin resistance (Kitt: 4.0±0.1%*min-1 vs. 0.5±0.3%*min-1, p<0.05, respectively).
Download PDFRead moreThe effects of fipronil (FPN) on the liver of rats were studied. Rats (n = 6) were treated with 9.7 mg/kg (1/10 of FPN LD50), and other rats (n = 6) received 120 mg/kg of 10% Uncaria tomentosa extract, while a mixture of 9.7 mg/kg FPN and 120 mg/kg of 10% Uncaria tomentosa extract were administered orally to the rats (n = 6) daily for 6 weeks. Body, hepatic weights, liver enzymes, and lipid profile were determined.
Download PDFRead moreThis contribution presents 82 species of medicinal plants whose products are sold and consumed as cholesterol lowering in the Buenos Aires-La Plata conurbation, Argentina. The hypocholesterolemic effect is relevant because the high level of blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, leading causes of death and disability almost worldwide.
Download PDFRead moreDiabetes mellitus is a disease associated with dysfunction of pancreatic β-cells and oxidative stress. A treatment which can reduce theimpact of oxidative stress may be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of gambier extract on the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and blood glucose level (BGL) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Download PDFRead moreDiabetes mellitus is a disease associated with dysfunction of pancreatic β-cells and oxidative stress. A treatment which can reduce the impact of oxidative stress may be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of gambier extract on the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and blood glucose level (BGL) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Download PDFRead moreRecently, Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) D.C. has become known as a healing plant with an ethnomedicinal background. There have been several reports on its constituents, in particular, oxindole alkaloids. It was found that 2 chemotypes of Uncaria tomentosa with different alkaloid patterns occur in nature.
Download PDFRead moreAn informal study conducted by the American Lyme Disease Alliance (ALDA), found that most patients diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) were actually suffering from Lyme disease. Out of a group of CFS 31 patients, 28 were found to be ill as a result of Lyme.
Download PDFRead moreMany people think of Lyme disease as a simple illness caused by the bite of an infected tick.Though a bite may be a triggering event, this perspective is simplistic and does not take into consideration the numerous issues that both the patient and doctor must consider and treat in order to attain the best possible outcomes. Furthermore, medical literature suggests that Lyme disease is a complex illness which may be transmitted by mosquito bites, blood transfusions, sexual intercourse and many other ways.
Download PDFRead moreFrom an early age, I had a great interest in medicine. When I was young, I thought I wanted to be a brain surgeon. Later, in medical school at the University of Turku, Finland, everything interested me. I was also lucky enough to study a course on acupuncture, something that is not normally taught in Finnish medical schools.
Download PDFRead moreDespite the widespread belief that no remedy can treat more than a couple of diseases, the truth is entirely different. Even in conventional medicamental medicine, there are drugs -for instance corticosteroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - that do treat or positively influence a large number of "diseases" or clinical symptoms. Additionally many antibiotics, in spite of their apparent or relative specificity, successfully treat quite a large number of different bacterial infections.
Download PDFRead moreThe remedy SAMENTO has an exceptionally broad spectrum of therapeutic effect in different types of internal, endocrine, dermatological, neurological, oncological, immunodeficiency and many other diseases. A clinical study was carried out at LECHITEL Medical Center on 24 patients diagnosed with “Dystonia neurovegetativa”.
Download PDFRead moreUse of cat’s claw might be beneficial in patients with advanced cancer by improving their quality of life and reducing fatigue. The mechanism of action does not seem to be related to the anti-inflammatory properties of this plant.
Download PDFRead moreUT hydroalcoholic extract successfully reduced the tumor growth. In addition, treatment with UT reduced the activity of AST, which had been increased as a result of tumor inoculation, thus attempting to return it to normal levels. UT did not reverse the increase of LDH and GGT plasma levels, although all doses were remarkably effective in reducing urea plasma levels.
Download PDFRead moreThis is a report on the efficacy of tetracyclic oxindole free Uncaria Tomentosa, commonly known as TOA-free Cat’s Claw or Una de Gato which is distributed under the brand-name Samento. This research has been performed and published by NuLife Sciences, Inc. based on clinical observations which were recorded as photocomparative studies of observations on the Native blood in conjunction with a coagulation screening methodology known as the Oxidative Stress Test (Dried Blood Evaluation Screen).
Download PDFRead moreMedullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a rare calcitonin-producing tumor, is derived from parafollicular Ccells of the thyroid and is characterized by constitutive Bcl2 overexpression. The tumor is relatively insensitive to radiation therapy as well as conventional chemotherapy. To date, the only curative treatment is the early and complete surgical removal of all neoplastic tissue.
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. (Rubiacee), also known as uña de gato, is a plant that grows wild in the upper Amazon region of Peru and has been widely used in folk medicine to treat several health conditions including cancer. We have produced an aqueous extract from Uncaria tomentosa (UT-ex) and analyzed its effects on squamous carcinoma cells and immortalized HaCaT keratinocytes.
Download PDFRead moreLyme disease was first recognized around 1975, when a mysterious outbreak of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis occurred around Lyme, Connecticut. In 1982, the causative agent of Lyme disease was discovered by Willy Burgdorfer. It turned out to be a spirochete (spiral-shaped bacterium) from the genus Borrelia, subsequently named Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb).
Download PDFRead moreSamento: pentacyclic chemotype (TOA free) of Uncaria tomentosa. The same botanical species that appears in other forms (composition of different secondary metabolites) due to different growing conditions 2 • Pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids (POA) • Tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids(TOA) Inhibits NF-B, and the production of TNF-, inhibits proliferation of human lymphoblasts and promotes phagocytosis Antagonistic effects on POA, decreasing its effect.
Download PDFRead moreRecent advances in the chemical analysis of Cat's Claw have shed new light on its use as a natural therapeutic agent. Specifically, it has been found that the clinical efficacy increases as the pentacyclic oxindole alkaloid (POA) fraction increases and as the tetracyclic oxindole alkaloid (TOA) content decreases respectively. Samento ( Uncaria tomentosa) is a rare form of Cat's Claw that has been found to be 100 per cent TOA free.
Download PDFRead moreSamento will be used in humans because of the vital importance of carrying out these first-step tests. They will not only guarantee the quality of the product, but will also establish that there are no adverse side effects in humans who take the product. As discussed in numerous international works, the study of acute toxicity is indispensable, and guarantees (within the margin of error associated with the technique) that the potential for toxicity from the compounds that will be ingested or that may enter into the system accidentally will be learned.
Download PDFRead moreThe auricular edema is achieved by applying 12-0- Tetradecanoil Forbol-13 Acetate (TPA), one of the components responsible for the irritating action of croton oil, into the auditory pavilion of the mouse. The inflammatory reaction consists of erythema, edema and infiltration by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. As such, eicosanoid -type mediators are freed, inducing degranulation of the mast cell. This technique thus allows the evaluation of the inhibiting substances of the biosynthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes.
Download PDFRead moreTwenty-four weeks of treatment with the UT extract resulted in a reduction of the number of painful joints compared to placebo (by 53.2% vs. 24.1%; p=0.044). Patients receiving the UT extract only during the second phase experienced a reduction in the number of painful (p=0.003) and swollen joints (p=0.007) and the Ritchie Index (p=0.004) compared to the values after 24 weeks of placebo. Only minor effects were observed.
Download PDFRead moreI am in charge of the largest phytotherapy clinic in Scotland and give lectures in the United States on weight control, nutrition and diabetes prevention. The aim of my visit here is not to share with you my clinical experience with Cat’s Claw but to help you understand how it works.
Download PDFRead moreThe pictures on the following pages indicate the power and benefits of Samento. The "Before Treatment" photographs are of damaged blood cells due to free radical attack. The "After Treatment" photographs show cells after treatment with only Samento. Note how the attack of free radicals has damaged the cells. The formerly healthy cells have lost their integrity.
Download PDFRead moreThe purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the ability of cat’s claw, an Amazonian medicinal plant, to treat osteoarthritis of the knee, collect safety and tolerance information and compare the antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory actions of Uncaria guianensis and Uncaria tomentosa in vitro.
Download PDFRead moreLyme Disease – The most common vector-borne infectious disease in the Northern United States. Number of people diagnosed with Lyme Disease each year in the US ≈300,000. Rapidly spreading throughout Europe and northeast Asia (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). New discoveries of ticks fossilized in amber show that the bacteria which cause it may have been lurking around for 15 million years.
Download PDFRead moreIn a six-month prospective cohort study designed to compare the effectiveness of an alternative method of Lyme borreliosis treatment to conventional antibiotic treatment, patients receiving alternative treatment showed greater improvement based on self-reported disease symptoms, physician evaluation and clinical laboratory tests. The alternative treatment consisted of the use of Pentacyclic Alkaloid Chemotype Uncaria tomentosa, or TOA-Free Cat’s Claw, dietary and lifestyle changes, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, detoxification herbs and body pH-balancing. Conventional treatment included antibiotic treatment as recommended by the American Medical Association.
Download PDFRead moreA tick-borne, multisystemic disease, Lyme borreliosis caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi has grown into a major public health problem during the last 10 years. The primary treatment for chronic Lyme disease is administration of various antibiotics. However, relapse often occurs when antibiotic treatment is discontinued. One possible explanation for this is that B. burgdorferi become resistant to antibiotic treatment, by converting from their vegetative spirochete form into different round bodies and/or into biofilmlike colonies.
Download PDFRead moreThe woody Amazonian vine Uncaria tomentosa (cat’s claw) has been recently more and more popular all over the world as an immunomodulatory, antiinflammatory and anti-cancer remedy. This study investigates anti-proliferative potency of several cat’s claw preparations with different quantitative and qualitative alkaloid contents on HL-60 acute promyelocytic human cells by applying trypan blue exclusion and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction assay (MTT).
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC (Rubiaceae) is a large woody vine that is native to the Amazon and Central American rainforests and is used widely in traditional medicine for its immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory activities. The present work used in vivo immunotoxic and in vitro immunomodulatory experiments to investigate the effects of a pentacyclic oxindole alkaloid extract from U. tomentosa bark on lymphocyte phenotype, Th1/Th2 cytokine production, cellular proliferation and cytotoxicity.
Download PDFRead moreObjetives: This study aimed to research the in vitro immunomodulatory effects of an Uncaria tomentosa hydroalcoholic extract standardized (5.03%, pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids) (UT-POA) on the immunophenotype of dendritic cells (DC) subsets, Th1, Th2, Th17 and IL-12 cytokines from patients with stage II breast cancer (BCII) and healthy women (H). Materials and methods. Blood of 11 H and 7 BCII was obtained, PBMC were isolated and cultured for 2h with/without various concentrations of UT-POA and stimulated or not with LPS for 24h. PBMC were labeled with specific antibodies for DC and in the supernatant we measured Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines, both by flow cytometry. Furthermore IL-12 was measured by ELISA.
Download PDFRead moreEthnopharmacological relevance: Uncaria tomentosa (Willdenow ex Roemer & Schultes) DC. (Rubiaceae) is a Peruvian thorny liana, commonly known as “cat's claw”, and traditionally used in folk medicine to deal with several inflammatory diseases. Mitraphylline (MTP) is the most abundant pentacyclic oxindolic alkaloid (POA) from U. Tomentosa and has been reported to modify the inflammatory response.
Download PDFRead moreObjectives: To evaluate the immunomodulatory effect on lymphocyte subsets, dendritic cells (DC), Th1 / Th2 / Th17 and inflammatory cytokines on systemic level and/or in the tumor microenvironment of mice with or without melanoma. Materials and methods: Peripheral blood and/or primary tumors samples were obtained of mice with B16 melanoma treated or not with a hydroalcoholic extract of Uncaria tomentosa (UT) with 5.03% of pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids (UT-POA) obtained from the bark of the plant. All cell assays and cytokine measurements were performed by flow cytometry.
Download PDFRead moreEthnopharmacological relevance: Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC (Rubiaceae)is a species native to the Amazon rainforest and surrounding tropical areas that is endowed with immunomodulatory properties and widely used around the world. In this study we investigated the immunomodulatory potential of Uncaria tomentosa (UT) aqueous–ethanol extract on the progression of immune-mediated diabetes.
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa have been used to treat viral diseases such as herpes due to multiple pharmacological effects, but its therapeutic efficacy against this virus have not been reported yet. Thus, in vitro antiherpetic activity of hydroethanolic extract from barks, purified fractions of quinovic acid glycosides and oxindole alkaloids was evaluated by plaque reduction assay, including mechanistic studies (virucidal, attachment and penetration action).
Download PDFRead moreExperimental endometriosis was induced in twenty-five female Wistar rats. After three weeks, 24 animals developed grade III experimental endometriosis and were divided into two groups. Group ‘‘U’’ received U. tomentosa extract orally (32 mg/day), and group ‘‘C’’ (control group) received a 0.9% sodium chloride solution orally (1 ml/100 g of body weight/day). Both groups were treated with gavage for 14 days.
Download PDFRead moreThe objective of this study is to report the clinical use of 2% Uncaria tomentosa gel against denture stomatitis (DS) as an alternative treatment. The patient was a 65-year-old, denture-wearing woman. At the clinical examination, her palate showed hyperplasic and erythematous mucosa indicating DS type II. DS is a chronic oral disease that affects denture wearers. It occurs as an inflammatory reaction in denturewearing patients under maxillary prostheses.
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC., a large woody vine native to the Amazon and Central American rainforests has been used medicinally by indigenous peoples since ancient times and has scientifically proven immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities. Several inflammatory mediators that are implicated in vascular permeability and shock are produced after Dengue Virus (DENV) infection by monocytes, the primary targets for virus replication.
Download PDFRead moreCat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a medicinal plant from the Amazon River basin that is widely used for inflammatory disorders and was previously described as an inhibitor of NF-kB. Cat’s claw was prepared as a decoction (water extraction) of micropulverized bark with and without concentration by freeze-drying. Murine macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells) were used in cytotoxicity assays (trypan blue exclusion) in response to the free radical 1,1-diphenyl2-picrilhydrazyl (DPPH, 0.3 mM) and ultraviolet light (UV) light.
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa is widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of numerous diseases, such as urinary tract disease. Hemorrhagic cystitis (HE) is an inflammatory condition of the bladder associated with the use of anticancer drugs such as cyclophosphamide (CYP). Sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (Mesna) has been used to prevent the occurrence of HE, although this compound is not effective in established lesions.
Download PDFRead morePteropodine and isopteropodine are heteroyohimbine-type oxindole alkaloid components of Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC, a Peruvian medicinal plant known as cat’s claw. In this study, the effects of these alkaloids on the function of Ca2+ -activated Cl currents evoked by stimulation of G protein-coupled muscarinic M1 acetylcholine and 5-HT2 receptors were studied in Xenopus oocytes in which rat cortex total RNA was translated.
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC (Rubiaceae), known as Cat’s Claw or Uña de gato, is a traditionally used medicinal plant native to Peru. Some studies have shown that U. tomentosa can act as an antiapoptotic agent and enhance DNA repair in chemotherapy‑treated cells although others have shown that U. tomentosa enhanced apoptosis.
Download PDFRead moreEthnopharmacological relevance: The Asháninkas, indigenous people of Peru, use cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) to restore health. Uncaria tomentosa has antioxidant activity and works as an agent to repair DNA damage. It causes different effects on cell proliferation depending on the cell type involved; specifically, it can stimulate the proliferation of myeloid progenitors and cause apoptosis of neoplastic cells.
Download PDFRead morePreparations from Uncaria tomentosa, a South American Rubiaceae, have been used in the Peruvian traditional medicine for the treatment of infective, inflammatory and tumoral processes. In this study, the pentacyclic oxindole alkaloid mitraphylline was isolated from the dried inner bark of this plant species, and its structure elucidated by analysis of NMR spectroscopic data.
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa inner bark extract is a popular plant remedy used in folk medicine to treat tumor and inflammatory processes. In this study, the anti-tumoral effects of its pentacyclic alkaloid mitraphylline were investigated. Furthermore, its growth-inhibitory and cytotoxic effects on glioma GAMG and neuroblastoma SKNBE(2) cell lines were studied using cyclophosphamide and vincristine as controls.
Download PDFRead moreBladder cancer is the second most prevalent malignancy in the genitourinary tract and remains a therapeutic challenge. In the search for new treatments, researchers have attempted to find compounds with low toxicity. With this goal in mind, Uncaria tomentosa is noteworthy because the bark and root of this species are widely used in traditional medicine and in adjuvant therapy for the treatment of numerous diseases.
Download PDFRead morePteropodine is a heterohimbine-type oxindole alkaloid specifically isolated from ‘Cat’s claw’ (Uncaria tomentosa), a plant that has shown cytostatic, anti-inflammatory and antimutagenic properties and is used in traditional medicine to cure a number of diseases. In this report, we studied the ability of pteropodine to decrease the rate of sister-chromatid exchanges and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in mice administered doxorubicin.
Download PDFRead moreMedicinal plants have long been used in traditional medicine for therapeutic purposes and their healing effects have well been recognized since ancient times. Geranium robertianum L. and Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. are medicinal plants with many therapeutic applications, being used in the treatment of antiinflammatory and anti-cancer diseases. G. robertianum L. belongs to the family of Geraniacea and is native from central and meridian Europe and Asia.
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa (Willd) D. C. (Rubiaceae) known as cat’s claw is a plant widely used in traditional Peruvian medicine to treat cancer and chemotherapy side effects among a wide range of other diseases (Obrego´n-Vilches, 1995). Research on this matter led to the discovery of pentacyclic monoterpenoid oxindole alkaloids (MOA) with immunomodulatory, cytotoxic, anti-AIDS, and anti-leukemic activities.
Download PDFRead moreThe effect of ethanolic and aqueous extracts from leaves and bark of Uncaria tomentosa was studied, with particular attention to catalase activity (CAT – EC. 1.11.1.6). We observed that all tested extracts, at a concentration of 250 lg/mL were not toxic to erythrocyte catalase because they did not decreased its activity. Additionally, we investigated the protective effect of extracts on changes in CAT activity in the erythrocytes incubated with sodium salt of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D-Na) and its metabolites i.e., 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and catechol.
Download PDFRead moreOzone (O3) inhalation has been associated with respiratory tract inflammation and lung functional alterations. To characterize the O3-induced lung inflammation in mice, the effective dose and exposure time were determined. Total protein levels of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), cytological smears, and lung histopathology and morphometry were used to assess and measure the degree of pulmonary inflammation in the mouse model.
Download PDFRead moreThis study aimed to compare the anti-neoplastic effects of an Uncaria tomentosa (UT) brute hydroethanolic (BHE) extract with those of two fractions derived from it. These fractions are choroformic (CHCl3) and n-butanolic (BuOH), rich in pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids (POA) and antioxidant substances, respectively.
Download PDFRead moreEndodontic therapy aims to remove diseased tissue, eliminate bacteria present in the canals and dentinal tubules, and prevent recontamination after treatment. These objectives are achieved by biomechanical cleaning and shaping of the root canal system, by sealing root canals with a 3-dimensional obturation, and by placing a coronal seal. Unfortunately, because of the anatomical complexity of the root canal system, organic and inorganic residues and bacteria cannot be completely removed and often persist.
Download PDFRead moreCandida species are harmless saprophyte yeasts, a normal component of the human biota in the gastrointestinal tract and oral and vaginal mucosae. These yeasts can cause superficial infections manifested as thrush and vaginitis; excepting in immunecompromised and immune-suppressed patients, for instance, to whom they can cause severe systemic infections.
Download PDFRead moreThis study investigated in vitro antifungal activity of the hydroethanolic extract (EXT), quinovic acid glycosides (QAPF), oxindole alkaloids (OAPF), water-soluble (WSF) and insoluble fractions of polyphenols (WIF) obtained from Uncaria tomentosa bark against non-albicans Candida resistant isolates.
Download PDFRead moreThe influence of water extract of Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. bark on Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was studied. The preparation was obtained by extraction of bark Uncaria tomentosa with water (37°C, 24 h) and further fractionation. Inbred C57BL/6 mice 7-9 weeks old, ca 20 g of body mass, females, were fed water extract for 7 days (10, 20 or 100 mg/kg), or water (controls).
Download PDFRead moreMitraphylline (MTP) is the major pentacyclic oxindolic alkaloid presented in Uncaria tomentosa. It has traditionally been used to treat disorders including arthritis, heart disease, cancer, and other inflammatory diseases. However, the specific role of MTP is still not clear, with more comprehensive studies, our understanding of this ancient herbal medicine will continue growing.
Download PDFRead moreDecoctions prepared from the bark of Uncaria tomentosa (cats claw) are widely used in the traditional Peruvian medicine for the treatment of several diseases, in particular as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to determine if the well-known anti-inflammatory activity of cats claw decoction was related with its reactivity with the oxidant species generated in the inflammatory process and to establish a relationship between such antioxidant ability and its phenolic composition.
Download PDFRead moreUncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.) DC. (Rubiaceae) is widely used by populations living in South America to treat many ailments associated with inflammatory disorders. Mitraphylline was shown to be the major pentacyclic oxindolic alkaloid present in the bark chloroformic extract of this plant. Its activity against cytokines involved in inflammation process was tested in a murine model in vivo.
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