Print PageDevil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is an indigenous plant of southern Africa’s Kalahari Desert region that is used in Europe to treat chronic inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis. The active constituents responsible for reduction of inflammation are unknown, but probably include the iridoid glycoside, harpagoside. The market demand has lead to over-harvesting of this species and this may render it endangered because cultivation is either non-existent or non-economical. We wish to study the basis of H. procumbens effects, and so as to avoid reliance upon this native species, we identified related species—and especially focused upon members of the family Pedaliaceae and order Lamiales. During November 2010 to April 2011, related species within two plant families, Plantaginaceae and Scrophulariaceae were grown in a simulated environment comparative to that of summers of Midwestern United States. We chose related species that occur in the Midwest because we will later determine if their cultivation outdoors is plausible. Fresh leaves, stems, flowers, and roots were collected, crushed, and then lyophilized. Each species was prepared for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses following the protocols described by previous researchers.
Results/Conclusions:
According to the analyses, harpagoside was identified in several of the species.Since harpagoside might be the active constituent in Devil’s Claw, the identification of the compound in other species provide insight for researchers. The cultivation of alternative species may ensure the survival of Devil’s Claw.
