There are also a few known subspecies of both species, as well as novel and hybrid taxa with less clear identity. This genus includes two species: Harpagophytum procumbens and H. The medicinal tuberiferous xerophyte Devil’s Claw ( Harpagophytum) belongs to the family Pedaliaceae and is native to southern Africa. Many diseases have an inflammatory pathogenesis and a large number of plant species have for centuries been utilized for their anti-inflammatory and healing effects. Further studies with larger number of subjects are needed to corroborate anti-inflammatory effects of different taxa of Harpagophytum. Harpagophytum taxa were biochemically very variable and the response in suppressing respiratory burst differed. nucleatum in comparison with treatment with vehicle control. zeyheri in contrast showed proinflammatory effect on the response of neutrophils to F. Using PMA, three Harpagophytum taxa showed anti-inflammatory effects with regard to the PBS control. procumbens showed the highest degree of antioxidative capacity. Harpagophytum plants were classified into different taxa according to morphology, and DNA analysis was used to confirm the classification. The objectives of this pilot study were to investigate the antioxidant capacity and the content of total phenols, verbascoside, isoverbascoside, and selected iridoids, as well as to investigate the capacity of various Harpagophytum taxa in suppressing respiratory burst in terms of reactive oxygen species produced by human neutrophils challenged with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), opsonised Staphylococcus aureus, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Some of the taxa are appreciated for their medicinal effects and have been traditionally used to relieve symptoms of inflammation.
![devil devil](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bec424b297114f64cb908d8/1576684034984-WVLP5ZVDLEKWXJ4EWC7T/image-asset.jpeg)
Harpagophytum, Devil’s Claw, is a genus of tuberiferous xerophytic plants native to southern Africa.