Cissus Quadrangularis
Cissus quadrangularis is traditionally used for bone and joint support. Modern trial evidence is still limited.
Overview
What is cissus quadrangularis?
Cissus quadrangularis is a vine that grows in Africa and parts of Asia. It is marketed for joint pain and sexual performance.
Dosage
A typical dose of Cissus quadrangularis extract is 300–600 mg per day.
This dose assumes that the extract has been standardised to 2.5% ketosteroids, an amount that has shown therapeutic effects in human studies. The optimal dose is unknown.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
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Database Snapshot
Most cissus quadrangularis research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Obesity accounts for 7 of 17 studies (41%).
- Bone fracture accounts for 6 of 17 studies (35%).
- Hemorrhoids accounts for 3 of 17 studies (18%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Osteoarthritis.
Safety
Oral cissus is likely safe when used at a dose of up to 1600 mg per day for 24 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Takeaway
Cissus quadrangularis is marketed for joint pain and weight management. Evidence suggests it may help reduce body weight in some overweight or obese people; evidence for osteoarthritis is limited, and data on bone fracture and hemorrhoids are insufficient.
References
Sources14 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · Obesity
6 references1.SupplementDEX Database: Obesity — The Use of a Stem and Leaf Aqueous Extract of Cissus quadrangularis (CQR-300) to Reduce Body Fat and Other Components of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight Participants2019
In 67 overweight adults over 8 weeks, CQR-300 Cissus extract 300 mg/day reduced body fat by 8.9–12.8% and improved waist circumference, blood pressure, lipids, and fasting glucose versus placebo.
2.SupplementDEX Database: Obesity — The effect of Cissus quadrangularis (CQR-300) and a Cissus formulation (CORE) on obesity and obesity-induced oxidative stress2017
In overweight adults, CQR-300 and a CORE Cissus formulation for 4 weeks reduced weight, body fat, LDL, triglycerides, and oxidative stress markers versus baseline.
3.SupplementDEX Database: Obesity — Efficacy and Safety of Cissus quadrangularis L. in Clinical Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials2017
A meta-analysis of 9 Cissus quadrangularis trials (1,108 patients) found benefit for bone fracture pain but not hemorrhoids; combination products reduced weight and lipids in obesity trials.
4.SupplementDEX Database: Obesity — The Use of Cissus quadrangularis (CQR-300) in the Management of Components of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Participants2015
In overweight adults with metabolic syndrome, CQR-300 Cissus extract 300 mg/day improved weight, fasting glucose, lipids, and waist circumference.
5.SupplementDEX Database: Obesity — The use of a Cissus quadrangularis/Irvingia gabonensis combination in the management of weight loss: a double-blind placebo-controlled study2008
In 72 overweight adults over 10 weeks, Cissus quadrangularis alone or combined with Irvingia gabonensis reduced weight, body fat, waist size, and lipids versus placebo, with the combination most effective.
6.SupplementDEX Database: Obesity — The use of a Cissus quadrangularis formulation in the management of weight loss and metabolic syndrome2006
In 123 overweight adults over 8 weeks, a Cissus quadrangularis formulation reduced weight, central obesity, fasting glucose, lipids, and C-reactive protein regardless of calorie-controlled diet.
SupplementDEX Database · Osteoarthritis
1 reference7.SupplementDEX Database: Osteoarthritis — Cissus quadrangularis reduces joint pain in exercise-trained men: a pilot study2013
In 29 exercise-trained men over 8 weeks, Cissus quadrangularis 3,200 mg/day reduced joint pain scores by about 31% on the WOMAC index.
SupplementDEX Database · Bone fracture
5 references8.SupplementDEX Database: Bone fracture — Comparison of Teriparatide and Combination of Cissus Quadrangularis and Dalbergia Sissoo on Bone Healing Against the Control Group in Maxillofacial Fractures: A Randomized Open-label Control Trial2023
In 24 maxillofacial fracture patients over 4 weeks, teriparatide and a Cissus quadrangularis plus Dalbergia sissoo combination both improved bite force versus control, with stronger osteogenic markers on teriparatide.
9.SupplementDEX Database: Bone fracture — Clinical evaluation of Cissus quadrangularis as osteogenic agent in maxillofacial fracture: A pilot study2015
In a pilot of 9 maxillofacial fracture patients, Cissus quadrangularis 500 mg three times daily for 6 weeks reduced pain and swelling versus control.
10.SupplementDEX Database: Bone fracture — Osteogenic potential of Cissus quadrangularis assessed with osteopontin expression2013
In 60 mandible fracture patients aged 20–35 years, Cissus quadrangularis accelerated clinical and radiographic healing and increased osteopontin expression versus control.
12.SupplementDEX Database: Bone fracture — Clinical evaluation of Cissus quadrangularis and Moringa oleifera and Osteoseal as osteogenic agents in mandibular fracture2011
In 44 mandibular fracture patients, Cissus quadrangularis, Moringa oleifera, and Osteoseal all improved pain and swelling, with Osteoseal showing the greatest benefit.
11.Management of Colle's Fracture by Asthishrankhala (Cissus quadrangularis Linn): A Clinical Study. See external sourceExternal source
SupplementDEX Database · Hemorrhoids
2 references13.SupplementDEX Database: Hemorrhoids — Clinical Pilot Study of Rectal Suppository Containing Combined Extract of Cissus quadrangularis Linn. and Acmella paniculata (Wall ex. DC.) R. K. Jansen in Acute Hemorrhoids2021
In 105 acute hemorrhoid patients over 7 days, rectal suppositories with Cissus quadrangularis and Acmella paniculata relieved bleeding, prolapse, and pain comparably to a hydrocortisone-cinchocaine product.
14.SupplementDEX Database: Hemorrhoids — Experimental comparative study of the efficacy and side effects of Cissus quadrangularis L. (Vitaceae) to Daflon (Servier) and placebo in the treatment of acute hemorrhoids2010
In 570 acute hemorrhoid patients over 7 days, Cissus quadrangularis, micronized flavonoids, and placebo all improved symptoms similarly, with no significant between-group differences.