Harpagophyti radix

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  • English common name is root of devil's claw from mother plant Harpagophytum procumbens
  • Contains iridoid glycosides (0.5–3.0% harpagoside, 8-(p-coumaroyl)-harpagide, harpagide, procumbide, procumboside), phenylethanoid glycosides (<3%, acteoside), flavonoids (kaempferol, luteolin), and carbohydrates (the tetrasaccharide stachyose).
  • Used as analgesic (for mild joint pain and morning stiffness), stomachic (supports digestion and helps with loss of appetite), and as carminative.
  • The drug consists of dried, sliced tuberous secondary roots, appearing as wrinkled pieces or slices. When broken, the fracture is short and resinous.
  • macroscopic image
  • In pulverized drug under the microscope we can see:
    • Crystals or needle-shaped calcium oxalate structures.
    • Sclereids with red content.
    • Reddish-brown inclusion grains and individual yellow droplets.
    • Characteristic thickened or reticulate-pitted vessels and their fragments.
    • In unpeeled roots, a cork layer with thin-walled cells is visible.