The Evidence
It is systematic reviews and meta-analyses that are considered to be the best way to assess evidence3
Bone Health: Osteoporosis, Bone Healing & Arthritis
This amazing herb has recently claimed research attention as a natural anti-inflammatory agent and as a natural tool to address osteoporosis. Cissus quadrangularis aids in the speedy recovery and healing of fractures by stimulating the increased uptake of the minerals calcium, sulfur, and strontium, which helps build more bone. It has also been hypothesised that Cissus quadrangularis helps in the earlier formation of collagen fibers leading to faster recovery times from injury and inflammation.
Ayurvedic medicine holds such strong beliefs in the bone healing ability of CQ, that it is actually known as ‘the bone setter’ this is a pretty great endorsement, but is their any scientific evidence to back up this claim?
Research has revealed that Cissus quadrangularis stimulates the production of osteoblasts (cells that are responsible for growing bone)4 plant extract has been shown to have bone fracture healing properties in several animal and in vivo studies and as an osteoporosis therapy3.
In the Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, research of patients with bone fractures were conducted and results showed that Cissus quadrangularis did show benefits for bone fracture healing and had a positive effect on bone pain3.
One study by the Department of Dentistry in India (Shah, Brahmkshatriya, Brahmkshatriya) (7) looked at the effect of cissus on the healing time of maxillofacial fractures, which are known to have a relatively long healing time of 6-8 weeks.
Patients involved in the study were divided into two groups. In Group 1, patients were give one capsule of CQ(500 mg) three times a day for 6 weeks. Group 2 (control group), were given no supplementary medication. Pain, swelling, fragment mobility, serum calcium, and serum phosphorus were evaluated pre- and post-operatively on day-1, Day 21, and Day 45. The results showed pain, swelling, and fragment mobility were low in Group 1 compared to Group 2. Serum calcium and serum phosphorus were also high, and healing of bone was clearly seen in Group 1 on day 21 as compared to the control group, therefore it was conclude that CQ aided in reducing pain, swelling, and fracture mobility and accelerated the healing of the fractured jaw bones.
Research by Fernandes and Banu (2012) on Cissus quadrangularis show that modern research on CQ began in the 1960’s with several studies using animal models to show that Cissus quadrangularis increased the fracture healing process.
These results were replicated in studies in dogs and rats. In vitro cell line research then replicated these results2
Studies show that CQ may increase the amount of collagen in animal cells. Although clinical studies were not done on humans, there have been many testimonials by athletes and bodybuilders claiming CQ did, in fact, speed up their injury recovery. See testimonials from some of our happy customers.
Weight Management:
The results of several human studies have shown support for the use of Cissus quadrangularis in weight management 1. A thorough and recent meta-analysis of the data on Cissus quadrangularis was published at the start of 2017, which looked at its overall efficacy (how well it actually works) and safety. Two studies of overweight or obese patients were available to be included in the meta analysis.
The 10 week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design involving 72 obese or overweight participants (45.8% male; 54.2% female; ages 21-44; mean age = 29.3). The participants were randomly divided into three equal (n = 24) groups: placebo, Cissus quadrangularis-only, and Cissus quadrangularis/Irvingia gabonensis combination. Results showed that the placebo group lost 2.3 kg, while the overweight group lost 3.7 kg and the two obese groups lost 6.6 kg and 8.1 kg, respectively 11. At the end of the trial period, statistically significant weight loss reductions and central obesity (as well as in fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein- all good signs) were observed in participants who received the formulation of Cissus quadrangularis, regardless of diet.
The other study, by Oben (2008) showed that, compared to the placebo group, participants taking Cissus quadrangularis alone or in combination showed a statistically significant difference in weight loss 12. Over the 10 week study, the placebo, Cissus quadrangularis and Cissus quadrangularis combination groups lost 4.0%, 14.6% and 20.0% of their body weight respectively6
This plant extract has also been shown to provide a positive impact upon the lowering of fat management blood markers, including LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose and fat mass.
One of the unique benefits of Cissus quadrangularis is its ability to lower blood sugar levels in the body. This is done by regulating the release of blood sugar from nutritional intake and ensuring that glucose and insulin levels remain optimal in the blood. The plant’s role in weight loss also helps in this case, as obesity is closely linked to Type II diabetes.
(The information on these studies was summarised by Melissa Waine B. Hons Science 1 and published at https://healthybutsmart.com/cissus-quadrangularis/)
References
It is systematic reviews and meta-analyses that are considered to be the best way to assess evidence3
Bone Health: Osteoporosis, Bone Healing & Arthritis
This amazing herb has recently claimed research attention as a natural anti-inflammatory agent and as a natural tool to address osteoporosis. Cissus quadrangularis aids in the speedy recovery and healing of fractures by stimulating the increased uptake of the minerals calcium, sulfur, and strontium, which helps build more bone. It has also been hypothesised that Cissus quadrangularis helps in the earlier formation of collagen fibers leading to faster recovery times from injury and inflammation.
Ayurvedic medicine holds such strong beliefs in the bone healing ability of CQ, that it is actually known as ‘the bone setter’ this is a pretty great endorsement, but is their any scientific evidence to back up this claim?
Research has revealed that Cissus quadrangularis stimulates the production of osteoblasts (cells that are responsible for growing bone)4 plant extract has been shown to have bone fracture healing properties in several animal and in vivo studies and as an osteoporosis therapy3.
In the Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, research of patients with bone fractures were conducted and results showed that Cissus quadrangularis did show benefits for bone fracture healing and had a positive effect on bone pain3.
One study by the Department of Dentistry in India (Shah, Brahmkshatriya, Brahmkshatriya) (7) looked at the effect of cissus on the healing time of maxillofacial fractures, which are known to have a relatively long healing time of 6-8 weeks.
Patients involved in the study were divided into two groups. In Group 1, patients were give one capsule of CQ(500 mg) three times a day for 6 weeks. Group 2 (control group), were given no supplementary medication. Pain, swelling, fragment mobility, serum calcium, and serum phosphorus were evaluated pre- and post-operatively on day-1, Day 21, and Day 45. The results showed pain, swelling, and fragment mobility were low in Group 1 compared to Group 2. Serum calcium and serum phosphorus were also high, and healing of bone was clearly seen in Group 1 on day 21 as compared to the control group, therefore it was conclude that CQ aided in reducing pain, swelling, and fracture mobility and accelerated the healing of the fractured jaw bones.
Research by Fernandes and Banu (2012) on Cissus quadrangularis show that modern research on CQ began in the 1960’s with several studies using animal models to show that Cissus quadrangularis increased the fracture healing process.
These results were replicated in studies in dogs and rats. In vitro cell line research then replicated these results2
Studies show that CQ may increase the amount of collagen in animal cells. Although clinical studies were not done on humans, there have been many testimonials by athletes and bodybuilders claiming CQ did, in fact, speed up their injury recovery. See testimonials from some of our happy customers.
Weight Management:
The results of several human studies have shown support for the use of Cissus quadrangularis in weight management 1. A thorough and recent meta-analysis of the data on Cissus quadrangularis was published at the start of 2017, which looked at its overall efficacy (how well it actually works) and safety. Two studies of overweight or obese patients were available to be included in the meta analysis.
The 10 week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design involving 72 obese or overweight participants (45.8% male; 54.2% female; ages 21-44; mean age = 29.3). The participants were randomly divided into three equal (n = 24) groups: placebo, Cissus quadrangularis-only, and Cissus quadrangularis/Irvingia gabonensis combination. Results showed that the placebo group lost 2.3 kg, while the overweight group lost 3.7 kg and the two obese groups lost 6.6 kg and 8.1 kg, respectively 11. At the end of the trial period, statistically significant weight loss reductions and central obesity (as well as in fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein- all good signs) were observed in participants who received the formulation of Cissus quadrangularis, regardless of diet.
The other study, by Oben (2008) showed that, compared to the placebo group, participants taking Cissus quadrangularis alone or in combination showed a statistically significant difference in weight loss 12. Over the 10 week study, the placebo, Cissus quadrangularis and Cissus quadrangularis combination groups lost 4.0%, 14.6% and 20.0% of their body weight respectively6
This plant extract has also been shown to provide a positive impact upon the lowering of fat management blood markers, including LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose and fat mass.
One of the unique benefits of Cissus quadrangularis is its ability to lower blood sugar levels in the body. This is done by regulating the release of blood sugar from nutritional intake and ensuring that glucose and insulin levels remain optimal in the blood. The plant’s role in weight loss also helps in this case, as obesity is closely linked to Type II diabetes.
(The information on these studies was summarised by Melissa Waine B. Hons Science 1 and published at https://healthybutsmart.com/cissus-quadrangularis/)
References
- Stohs S, Ray S. Phytother Res. A review and evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Cissus quadrangularis extracts. 2013 Aug;27(8):1107-14. doi: 10.1002/ptr.4846. Epub 2012 Sep 13.
- Banu, Jameela. “Medicinal properties of plants from the genus Cissus: A review.” Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 6.16 (2012): 3080-3086.
- Sawangjit R, Puttarak P, Saokaew S, Chaiyakunapruk N. Efficacy and Safety of Cissus quadrangularis L. in Clinical Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Phytother Res. 2017 Feb 6. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5783.
- Kahn S, Malini S, Shirwaiker, A Antiosteoporotic effect of ethanol extract of Cissus quadrangularis Linn. on ovariectomized rat.
- Banu, Jameela. “Medicinal properties of plants from the genus Cissus: A review.” Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 6.16 (2012): 3080-3086.
- Waine, B. Melissa - Does Cissus Quadrangularis Do Anything? Full Review of The Research found on Healthybutsmart.com.au July 2017
- Hemal R. Brahmkshatriya, Kruti A. Shah, G. B. Ananthkumar, and Mansi H. Brahmkshatriya1Clinical evaluation of Cissus quadrangularis as osteogenic agent in maxillofacial fracture: A pilot study
Benefits of Cissus Quadrangularis
Weight ManagmentCQ has been shown to provide a positive impact upon the lowering of fat management blood markers, including LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose and fat mass.
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Bone HealthToday Cissus quadrangularis is attracting a lot of interest in the fitness industry and is commonly used as a work out supplement to aid bone recovery and ligament and tendon repair.
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