Evidence supporting the use of: Harpagoside
For the health condition: Bursitis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Harpagoside is an iridoid glycoside and the primary active constituent of Harpagophytum procumbens, commonly known as Devil’s Claw. Devil’s Claw has traditional use in southern African medicine for treating inflammatory conditions and pain. Modern research has focused on its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, particularly for musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis and back pain. The mechanism is believed to involve inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators such as COX-2 and nitric oxide.

Regarding bursitis specifically, there is limited direct scientific evidence for the use of harpagoside or Devil’s Claw. Most clinical studies have examined broader musculoskeletal pain or arthritis, not bursitis per se. However, because bursitis is an inflammatory condition of the bursae, and harpagoside has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in animal models, some extrapolate its use for bursitis. A few small clinical trials and systematic reviews support the efficacy of Devil’s Claw in reducing pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis and back pain, but evidence specifically for bursitis is indirect and of low quality.

Therefore, the scientific rationale for harpagoside in bursitis is plausible but primarily extrapolated, and high-quality direct clinical evidence is lacking. The overall evidence rating for this specific indication is low (2 out of 5).

More about Harpagoside
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Products containing Harpagoside

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.