Properties and actions:herpago has anti-inflammatory, mild analgesic and anti-exudative effects. herpago reduces swelling, relieves pain and improves mobility of the joints. herpago- iridoid glycosides and harpagoside contents are cyclooxygenase (cox) inhibitors mainly cox2 and to lesser extent cox1, reducing synthesis of the prostaglandins that play a major role in the causation of inflammation and pain. herpago reduces the synthesis of tnf alpha and the release of cartilage metabolism regulating cytokine, interleukin-6, thus inhibits the acute phase reaction and production of pyrogens. the cytokines interleukin-1 and leuko-treine b4 are not affected. unlike nsaids, herpago does not cause gastritis, it has a choleretic effect resulting in increased production of bile, and thereby it increases the yield of bicarbonate in the duodenum and neutralizes excessive acidity.indications: low back pain and sciatica inflammatory and degenerative forms of rheumatic pain.