Cissus quadrangularis

Cissus Quadrangularis is a plant that has been valued for thousands of years for its medicinal properties. Historically, it has been used to treat many ailments including hemorrhoids, gout, asthma and allergies. However, modern science has recently discovered that this highly effective medicinal plant also helps to promote bone health, relieve joint pain and protect against chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. This article will take a look at the uses, benefits, possible side effects and correct dosage of Cissus Quadrangularis.

What is Cissus Quadrangularis?

Cissus Quadrangularis is a plant that belongs to the grape family. It is native to Asia, Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and has long been used as a natural remedy to treat a wide range of ailments (1). Since ancient times, people have used Cissus Quadrangularis to treat pain, regulate menstruation and aid the healing of broken bones (1).

The healing properties of this plant are attributed to its high content of vitamin C and antioxidant compounds such as carotenoids, tannins and phenols (2). Today, extracts made from the leaves, stem and roots of the plant are available as supplements. They are available in the form of powder, capsules or syrup.

Areas of application for Cissus Quadrangularis

Cissus Quadrangularis is primarily used to treat conditions such as hemorrhoids, bone loss, allergies, asthma and diabetes. While cissus quadrangularis has been shown to help treat some of these conditions, scientific research is lacking in some areas of use, while such research has found no benefits in other areas of use.

For example, a study of 570 subjects found that cissus quadrangularis was more effective than a placebo in reducing symptoms of hemorrhoids (3). However, no studies have yet investigated the effectiveness of Cissus Quadrangularis for conditions such as allergies, asthma and gout.

Benefits of Cissus Quadrangularis

Although Cissus Quadrangularis is used to treat a range of health conditions, only some of these uses are supported by scientific studies. Here are the main science-based benefits of Cissus Quadrangularis:

Cissus Quadrangularis may promote bone health

Human and animal studies have shown that cissus quadrangularis may help reduce bone loss, speed the healing of fractures and prevent conditions such as osteoporosis. An eleven-week study found that when mice suffering from osteoporosis were fed Cissus Quadrangularis, this treatment helped prevent bone loss by altering the levels of certain proteins involved in bone metabolism (4). Furthermore, in a study of 9 subjects who took 500 mg of Cissus Quadrangularis three times a day over a period of 6 weeks, it was observed that this supplementation accelerated the rate of healing of bone fractures. In addition, Cissus Quadrangularis appeared to reduce pain and swelling (5). A three-month study of 60 subjects taking 1,200 mg of Cissus Quadrangularis per day found that Cissus Quadrangularis promoted the healing of fractures and increased levels of a specific protein required for bone formation (6).

Cissus quadrangularis could reduce joint pain and swelling

Cissus quadrangularis has been shown to help reduce joint pain and relieve symptoms of arthritis, a condition characterized by swollen, stiff joints. An eight-week study of 29 men suffering from chronic joint pain found that taking 3,200 mg of cissus quadrangularis per day significantly reduced exercise-induced joint pain (7). Another study observed that Cissus quadrangularis administration in rats reduced joint swelling and lowered levels of several inflammatory markers, suggesting that Cissus quadrangularis may help in the treatment of arthritis (8). Another study conducted with rats suffering from arthritis came to similar conclusions and reported that Cissus Quadrangularis was more effective in reducing swelling than the drugs commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and reduce inflammation (9).

However, human studies are still lacking in this area and further research is therefore needed to explore the potential benefits of Cissus Quadrangularis in supporting joint health.

Cissus Quadrangularis could help prevent metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of health problems that can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. These problems include excessive amounts of belly fat, high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels (10). Some research shows that Cissus Quadrangularis may help prevent metabolic syndrome by reducing some of these problems. In an eight-week study, 123 people took 1,028 mg of Cissus Quadrangularis daily and a combination of other supplements including green tea, selenium and chromium. This treatment significantly reduced body fat and abdominal fat regardless of diet. At the same time, an improvement in fasting blood glucose levels, triglyceride levels, total cholesterol levels and "bad" LDL cholesterol levels was also observed (11). In another study, 72 volunteers took 300 mg of Cissus quadrangularis daily. The scientists observed that this reduced body weight, body fat, waist circumference, blood glucose levels, as well as total cholesterol levels and levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol (12). However, it is important to note that an analysis of 9 studies concluded that Cissus Quadrangularis only increased weight loss when used in combination with other supplements - and not on its own (13). Due to the lack of studies on the effects of Cissus Quadrangularis on metabolic syndrome, it is still unclear whether this supplement can help prevent or treat this condition.

• Summary: Studies show that Cissus Quadrangularis may improve bone health and relieve joint pain. Some research also suggests that Cissus Quadrangularis may help prevent metabolic syndrome, but more research is needed.

Potential side effects of Cissus Quadrangularis

When used as recommended, Cissus Quadrangularis can be used safely with minimal risk of side effects (13, 14). However, minor side effects such as flatulence, diarrhea, dry mouth, headache and insomnia have occasionally been reported (11). Due to the limited research on the safety of taking Cissus Quadrangularis during pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding women should refrain from supplementing with Cissus Quadrangularis to be on the safe side. In addition to this, people using diabetes medication should speak to their doctor before taking Cissus Quadrangularis, as it could lower blood sugar levels and cause interactions with diabetes medication (11).

Dosage

There are currently no official dosage recommendations for Cissus Quadrangularis. Most supplements are available in powder, capsule or syrup form and the most common dosage recommendation for these products is between 500 and 1,000 mg per day. However, studies have found that doses in the range of 300 to 3,200 mg per day can have benefits (7, 12). Ideally, you should start with the lowest dosage and increase it slowly to assess tolerability. As with all supplements, it is of course advisable to consult a doctor before taking Cissus Quadrangularis.

Conclusion

The Cissus Quadrangularis plant has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. Some studies have shown that it may have distinct medicinal properties, which include supporting bone health, reducing joint pain and preventing metabolic syndrome. However, more research is needed into the potential benefits of this plant. Cissus Quadrangularis is generally safe and harmless and is associated with few side effects. Nevertheless, you should consult your doctor before adding Cissus Quadrangularis to your health regimen to ensure it is the right choice for your needs.

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4784127/
2. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13880200500406636
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21344797
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3388386/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4784127/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3800385/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24113700
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26342521
9. https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/in-vivo-studies-on-antiarthritic-activity-of-cissus-quadrangularis-against-adjuvant-induced-arthritis-2155-9899-1000327.php?aid=54723
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459248/
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1570348/
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2330043/
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28165166
14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22976133