Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is an herb traditionally used in southern Africa for pain and inflammation. In recent decades, it has been studied for its potential to support joint health, especially in managing symptoms associated with osteoarthritis and lower back pain. The primary active constituents believed to contribute to these effects are iridoid glycosides, particularly harpagoside.

Several randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials and meta-analyses have evaluated devil's claw for musculoskeletal pain. For example, a 2007 review in Phytomedicine concluded that devil's claw extracts were more effective than placebo for reducing pain in osteoarthritis and comparable to standard analgesics such as diacerein or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in some studies. Additionally, the European Medicines Agency recognizes its traditional and some well-established uses for relieving joint pain.

However, the evidence is not uniformly strong: Some studies have methodological limitations, small sample sizes, and use different extract preparations. The consensus is that devil's claw may provide mild to moderate symptom relief for joint pain, particularly in osteoarthritis and low back pain, but more high-quality studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety over the long term. Overall, its use is scientifically supported but with moderate strength of evidence.