Uncaria Tomentosa Bark Extract, commonly known as cat’s claw, is derived from the bark of the tropical vine Uncaria Tomentosa, native to the Amazon rainforest. It is prized for its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulant properties, making it a valuable ingredient in skincare products and dietary supplements. It is particularly beneficial for protecting the skin from oxidative damage and reducing skin inflammation, improving overall skin health.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Uncaria Tomentosa Bark Extract contains bioactive compounds such as oxindole alkaloids, polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, which contribute to its antioxidant and immune-boosting properties. These compounds work to protect cells from free radical damage and support the skin's natural regeneration process.

Production Process

The extract is obtained from the bark of the Uncaria Tomentosa plant through solvent extraction using water or alcohol. The process is designed to preserve the active compounds and ensure efficacy, while maintaining the extract's purity, making it suitable for use in cosmetics and supplements.

• Harvesting the Bark: The bark of Uncaria tomentosa is sustainably harvested from mature plants. The collection must adhere to regulations to ensure the sustainability of the species.

• Drying: After harvesting, the bark is cleaned and subjected to a drying process to remove moisture. This step is crucial for preserving the active properties of the extract and facilitating subsequent extraction.

• Extraction: The extraction of active principles occurs using appropriate solvents such as water, ethanol, or methanol. The dried bark is immersed in the solvent, and the mixture is agitated or heated to promote the release of bioactive compounds.

• Filtration: Once the extraction process is complete, the obtained solution is filtered to remove undissolved solids, resulting in a liquid extract containing the active principles of the bark.

• Concentration: The extract may be further concentrated by evaporating the solvent to obtain a product richer in nutrients and with greater stability.

• Quality Control and Packaging: Finally, Uncaria tomentosa bark extract undergoes quality control checks to verify its purity, efficacy, and compliance with standards. After analysis, it is packaged for distribution and use in cosmetic products and dietary supplements.

Physical Properties

The extract appears as a brown powder or liquid, soluble in water or alcohol, and easily incorporated into creams, lotions, and supplements. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it is widely used in formulations aimed at treating sensitive or inflamed skin.

Applications

• Skincare: Used in serums, creams, and lotions to combat free radical damage and reduce skin inflammation. It is particularly suited for sensitive skin and to prevent signs of aging.

INCI Functions:

Antioxidant agent. Ingredient that counteracts oxidative stress and prevents cell damage. Free radicals, pathological inflammatory processes, reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species are responsible for the ageing process and many diseases caused by oxidation.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Skin protectant. It creates a protective barrier on the skin to defend it from harmful substances, irritants, allergens, pathogens that can cause various inflammatory conditions. These products can also improve the natural skin barrier and in most cases more than one is needed to achieve an effective result.

• Anti-inflammatory Treatments: Effective in treating skin irritations, redness, and other inflammatory conditions, thanks to its soothing properties.

• Dietary Supplements: Employed in supplements to stimulate the immune system and support the body in fighting inflammation and infections.

Health and Safety Considerations

Safety in Use
Uncaria Tomentosa Bark Extract is considered safe for use in cosmetics and dietary supplements. However, in individuals with autoimmune diseases or those taking immunosuppressants, moderate use is recommended due to its immune-boosting properties. It is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions are rare but may occur in people sensitive to plants from the Rubiaceae family. A patch test is recommended before topical application of the product.

Toxicity and Carcinogenicity
 It has been extensively tested and is considered safe for use in both cosmetics and supplements.

Environmental Considerations
As Uncaria Tomentosa is a plant native to the Amazon rainforest, it is important to ensure sustainable harvesting practices to preserve the ecosystem. Sustainable harvesting helps protect natural resources and the habitat of local species.

Regulatory Status
Uncaria Tomentosa Bark Extract is approved for use in cosmetics and dietary supplements by major regulatory authorities, including the European Union and the FDA in the United States.

References__________________________________________________________________________

Keplinger K, Laus G, Wurm M, Dierich MP, Teppner H. Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC.--ethnomedicinal use and new pharmacological, toxicological and botanical results. J Ethnopharmacol. 1999 Jan;64(1):23-34. doi: 10.1016/s0378-8741(98)00096-8. 

Abstract. The medicinal system of the Asháninka Indians in Perú is portrayed. Three categories of medical disorders and healers are recognized. A human is viewed to consist of a physical and a spiritual being who communicate with each other by means of a regulating element. The significance of Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. (Rubiaceae), locally known as unã de gato, in traditional medicine is emphasized by its exclusive use by priests to influence this regulation. Pharmacological and toxicological results obtained with extracts or isolated compounds are summarized. Pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids stimulate endothelial cells in vitro to produce a lymphocyte-proliferation-regulating factor. Tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids act as antagonists. A significant normalization of lymphocyte percentage was observed in vivo although total leucocyte numbers did not change.

Della Valle V. Uncaria tomentosa. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2017 Dec;152(6):651-657. doi: 10.23736/S0392-0488.17.05712-1. 

Abstract. Uncaria tomentosa (U. tomentosa) or uña de gato, a species of vine of Rubiaceae family, was used from centuries in various medical conditions. Although there are no randomized controlled trials or published human outcome studies, some conditions reportedly improved by U. tomentosa include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, prostatitis, viral illnesses and cancer (acting as a non-specific immunomodulantign agent) and it may also have potential as an immunomodulating adaptogen in cellular aging. The understanding of some specific mechanisms of molecular action leads to the demonstration of various anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating and protective effects. These results bring the strong hypothesis that U. tomentosa could be effective in the topical treatment of dermatological manifestation, namely rosacea.

Araujo LCC, Feitosa KB, Murata GM, Furigo IC, Teixeira SA, Lucena CF, Ribeiro LM, Muscará MN, Costa SKP, Donato J Jr, Bordin S, Curi R, Carvalho CRO. Uncaria tomentosa improves insulin sensitivity and inflammation in experimental NAFLD. Sci Rep. 2018 Jul 20;8(1):11013. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-29044-y. 

Abstract. We investigated the effect of the crude herbal extract from Uncaria tomentosa (UT) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in two models of obesity: high fat diet (HFD) and genetically obese (ob/ob) mice. Both obese mouse models were insulin resistant and exhibited an abundance of lipid droplets in the hepatocytes and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver, while only the HFD group had collagen deposition in the perivascular space of the liver. UT treatment significantly reduced liver steatosis and inflammation in both obese mouse models. Furthermore, serine phosphorylation of IRS-1 was reduced by 25% in the HFD mice treated with UT. Overall, UT treated animals exhibited higher insulin sensitivity as compared to vehicle administration. In conclusion, Uncaria tomentosa extract improved glucose homeostasis and reverted NAFLD to a benign hepatic steatosis condition and these effects were associated with the attenuation of liver inflammation in obese mice.

Yepes-Pérez AF, Herrera-Calderon O, Quintero-Saumeth J. Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw): a promising herbal medicine against SARS-CoV-2/ACE-2 junction and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein based on molecular modeling. J Biomol Struct Dyn. 2022 Mar;40(5):2227-2243. doi: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1837676. 

Abstract. COVID-19 is a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Currently, there is no effective treatment and vaccines seem to be the solution in the future. Virtual screening of potential drugs against the S protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has provided small molecular compounds with a high binding affinity. Unfortunately, most of these drugs do not attach with the binding interface of the receptor-binding domain (RBD)-angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) complex in host cells. Molecular modeling was carried out to evaluate the potential antiviral properties of the components of the medicinal herb Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) focusing on the binding interface of the RBD-ACE-2 and the viral spike protein. The in silico approach starts with protein-ligand docking of 26 Cat's claw key components followed by molecular dynamics simulations and re-docked calculations. Finally, we carried out drug-likeness calculations for the most qualified cat's claw components. The structural bioinformatics approaches led to the identification of several bioactive compounds of U. tomentosa with potential therapeutic effect by dual strong interaction with interface of the RBD-ACE-2 and the ACE-2 binding site on SARS-CoV-2 RBD viral spike. In addition, in silico drug-likeness indices for these components were calculated and showed good predicted therapeutic profiles of these phytochemicals found in U. tomentosa (cat's claw). Our findings suggest the potential effectiveness of cat's claw as complementary and/or alternative medicine for COVID-19 treatment.

Zari A, Alfarteesh H, Buckner C, Lafrenie R. Treatment with Uncaria tomentosa Promotes Apoptosis in B16-BL6 Mouse Melanoma Cells and Inhibits the Growth of B16-BL6 Tumours. Molecules. 2021 Feb 18;26(4):1066. doi: 10.3390/molecules26041066. 

Abstract. Uncaria tomentosa is a medicinal plant native to Peru that has been traditionally used in the treatment of various inflammatory disorders. In this study, the effectiveness of U. tomentosa as an anti-cancer agent was assessed using the growth and survival of B16-BL6 mouse melanoma cells. B16-BL6 cell cultures treated with both ethanol and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) extracts of U. tomentosa displayed up to 80% lower levels of growth and increased apoptosis compared to vehicle controls. Treatment with ethanolic extracts of Uncaria tomentosa were much more effective than treatment with aqueous extracts. U. tomentosa was also shown to inhibit B16-BL6 cell growth in C57/bl mice in vivo. Mice injected with both the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of U. tomentosa showed a 59 ± 13% decrease in B16-BL6 tumour weight and a 40 ± 9% decrease in tumour size. Histochemical analysis of the B16-BL6 tumours showed a strong reduction in the Ki-67 cell proliferation marker in U. tomentosa-treated mice and a small, but insignificant increase in terminal transferase dUTP nick labelling (TUNEL) staining. Furthermore, U. tomentosa extracts reduced angiogenic markers and reduced the infiltration of T cells into the tumours. Collectively, the results in this study concluded that U. tomentosa has potent anti-cancer activity that significantly inhibited cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.