see also Cat’s claw, Quinic acid Hot-water extracts from the vine Uncaria tomentosa were reported to affect immune function (Aquino et al., 1991; Lemaire et al., 1999). Such effects were later shown to include inhibition of TNFa (Sandoval et al., 2000) and activation of the central transcription nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) (Sandoval-Chacon et al., 2002; Akesson et al., 2003). A hot-water extract from the bark of Uncaria tomentosa, C-Med 100®, in which large molecules, such as tannins and flavonoids, had been removed, still enhanced DNA repair (Sheng et al., 2000) and protected against “spontaneous” apoptosis induction in vitro (Akesson et al., 2003). It also inhibited proliferation of tumor cells without inducing apoptosis or necrotic cell death. Subsequent work by Akesson et al. (2005) identified quinic acid as one of the components responsible for these effects.
Aquino, R., De Feo, V., De Simona, F., Pizza, C., and Cirino, G., Plant metabolites. New compounds and anti-inflammatory activity of Uncaria tomentosa, J. Nat. Prod., 54:453–459, 1991.
Akesson, C., Lindgren, H., Pero, R.W., Leanderson, T., and Ivars, F., An extract from Uncaria tomentosa inhibiting cell division and NF-κB activity without inducing cell death, Int. Immunopharmacol., 3: 1889–1900, 2003.
Akesson, C., Lindgren, H., Pero, R.W., Leanderson, T., and Ivars, F., Quinic acid is a biologically active component of the Uncaria tomentosa C-Med 100®, Int. Immunopharmacol., 5:219–229, 2005.
Lemaire, I., Assinewe, V., Cano, P., Awang, D.V., and Arnason, J.T., Stimulation of interleukin-1 and -6 production in alveolar macrophages by the neotropical liana, Uncaria tomentosa (una de gato), J. Ethnopharmacol., 64:109–115, 1999.
Sandoval-Chacon, M., Thompson, J.H., Zhang, X.J., Liu, X., Mannick, E.E., Sadowski-Krowicka, H., Charbonnet, R.M., Clark, D.A., and Miller, M.J.S., Anti-inflammatory actions of cat’s claw: the role of NF-κB. Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther., 12:1279–1289, 1998.
Sheng, Y., Bryngelsson, C., and Pero, R.W., Enhanced DNA repair, immune function and reduced toxicity of C-Med 100®, a novel aqueous extract from Uncaria tomentosa, J. Ethnopharmacol., 69: 115–126, 2000.
see also Bearberry Uva ursi is a compound extracted from the bearberry plant (Arctostaphylos uva ursi L.). This herb is used for treating lower urinary-tract infections and is currently recommended for the treatment and prophylaxis of cystitis (Larsson et al., 1993; Yarnell, 2002). Uva ursi, however, causes depigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase kinase and hence melanin synthesis (Matsuda et al., 1996). Wang and Del Priore (2004) recently reported a case of bilaterial bull’s eye maculopathy in a patient ingesting tea made from uva ursi over a three-year period to treat a recurrent urinary-tract infection. Based on these results, they cautioned against the use of uva ursi, which should be considered a retinal toxic drug.
Larsson, B., Jonasson, A., and Fianu, S., Prophylactic effect of UVA E in women with recurrent cystitis: A preliminary report, Curr. Ther. Res. Clin. Exp., 53: 441–443, 1993.
Matsuda, H., Higashino, M., Nakai, Y., Iinuma, M., Kubo, M., and Lang, F.A., Studies of cuticle drugs from natural sources. IV. Inhibitory effects of some Arctostaphylos plants on melanin biosynthesis, Biol. Pharm. Bull., 19:153–156, 1996.
Wang, L. and Del Priore, L.V., Bull’s eye maculopathy secondary to herbal toxicity from uva ursi, Am. J. Ophthamol., 137:1135–1137, 2004.
Yarnell, E., Botanical medicines for the urinary tract, World J. Urol., 20:285–293, 2002.