Cissus quadrangularis
Also known as: Cissus, Hadjod, Veldt grape
Multiple randomized trials and meta-analyses of Cissus quadrangularis report improved bone-related outcomes (faster bone formation, increased radiographic bone density) in small clinical trials and benefit for bone fractures in pooled analyses. Some trials and pooled analyses of combination products containing Cissus report greater weight loss and improvements in lipids and fasting glucose versus placebo, but effects are generally from combined formulations and evidence quality ranges from very low to moderate.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-14 · 5 indexed studies
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Overview
Cissus quadrangularis is a traditional medicinal plant used for bone disorders and metabolic indications. Human trials and meta-analyses report potential benefits for bone healing and, when used in combination products, reductions in body weight and some metabolic markers, but study quality and consistency vary.
Mechanism & Function
Mechanism of Action
Mechanistic claims in human studies are limited; proposed actions in the included literature relate to osteogenic effects (promoting bone formation and density) and metabolic effects observed in combination formulations. The human evidence does not establish a definitive molecular mechanism.
Physiological Role
Not an essential nutrient. Investigated for osteogenic support and metabolism-modulating activity in humans.
Primary Pathways
Performance / Health Relevance
May be relevant for accelerating bone healing and improving local bone density after injury or surgical procedures. Any effects on weight or metabolic markers appear primarily in combination products and require confirmation.
Evidence Review
Practical Use & Dosage
- Minimum Effective Dose
- Not established from the provided abstracts (dosages vary by study and many effects come from combination products).
- Optimal Range
- Not established from the provided abstracts.
- Upper / Caution Level
- Not established from the provided abstracts.
- Timing
- Not established from the provided abstracts; studies used peri-procedural or multi-week supplementation depending on indication.
- Best Format
- Oral (capsules/tablet/extract) as used in clinical trials and pooled analyses.
- Bioavailability
- Not discussed in the provided abstracts.
- Absorption Considerations
- Not discussed in the provided abstracts.
Safety & Interactions
Side Effects
- •No serious adverse effects reported in pooled analyses included in the provided abstracts
- •Individual studies did not consistently report adverse events; limited data on mild adverse events
Contraindications
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (insufficient human safety data in provided abstracts)
- Children (insufficient data)
Drug Interactions
- •No specific drug interaction data reported in the provided abstracts
Who Should Avoid
- •People with limited clinical supervision for bone disease or metabolic disease should consult a clinician before use
Monitoring
Monitor clinical outcomes relevant to the intended use (bone healing or weight/metabolic markers) because evidence quality and formulations vary; laboratory safety monitoring was not consistently reported in the provided abstracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto-generated from indexed evidence — dosage, safety, interactions, and more.
When is Cissus quadrangularis typically used or indicated?
Cissus quadrangularis is most commonly used for: Support bone healing and bone density, Adjunct for weight-loss/obesity (often in combination products), General traditional medicinal use for musculoskeletal complaints. Not an essential nutrient. Investigated for osteogenic support and metabolism-modulating activity in humans.
How does Cissus quadrangularis work?
Mechanistic claims in human studies are limited; proposed actions in the included literature relate to osteogenic effects (promoting bone formation and density) and metabolic effects observed in combination formulations. The human evidence does not establish a definitive molecular mechanism.
What is the recommended dose of Cissus quadrangularis?
The optimal range is Not established from the provided abstracts.. with a minimum effective dose of Not established from the provided abstracts (dosages vary by study and many effects come from combination products).. Best taken: Not established from the provided abstracts; studies used peri-procedural or multi-week supplementation depending on indication.. Upper / caution level: Not established from the provided abstracts..
What are the side effects of Cissus quadrangularis?
Reported side effects include: No serious adverse effects reported in pooled analyses included in the provided abstracts; and Individual studies did not consistently report adverse events; limited data on mild adverse events. Monitoring: Monitor clinical outcomes relevant to the intended use (bone healing or weight/metabolic markers) because evidence quality and formulations vary; laboratory safety monitoring was not consistently reported in the provided abstracts.
Does Cissus quadrangularis interact with medications?
Known or theoretical interactions: No specific drug interaction data reported in the provided abstracts. Always check with a clinician before combining with prescription medication.
Who should avoid Cissus quadrangularis?
Cissus quadrangularis is generally not recommended for: People with limited clinical supervision for bone disease or metabolic disease should consult a clinician before use; Pregnancy and breastfeeding (insufficient human safety data in provided abstracts); and Children (insufficient data).
How strong is the evidence for Cissus quadrangularis?
Evidence level: Moderate (overall score 63/100), based on 5 indexed studies on SuppIndex.
Research & References (5)
Efficacy and Safety of Cissus quadrangularis L. in Clinical Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of nine randomized trials (n=1108) assessing Cissus quadrangularis across indications.
The effects of Cissus quadrangularis on bone-related biomarkers in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials up to April 2025 focusing on bone-related biomarkers with Cissus quadrangularis (7 studies, n=354).
Evaluation of osteogenic potential of Cissus quadrangularis on mandibular alveolar ridge distraction.
Randomized clinical trial (20 patients) evaluating Cissus quadrangularis during consolidation after mandibular alveolar distraction for implant placement.
A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines used in the treatment of obesity.
Systematic review (up to 2008) of herbal medicines for obesity including human and animal studies; Cissus reported among herbs showing significant weight reduction in included studies.
Effectiveness of herbal medicines for weight loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of herbal medicines for weight loss (54 RCTs to Aug 2018); Cissus quadrangularis appeared among agents with statistically and clinically significant weight loss in trials with ≤3 RCTs, but evidence was limited.
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Research Overview
Moderate EvidenceCite this ingredient
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Stable URL
https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/cissus-quadrangularis
SuppIndex. (2026). Cissus quadrangularis: Evidence summary, dosage and clinical studies. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/cissus-quadrangularis
Based on 5 indexed studies · Evidence level: Moderate.
Goal Ratings
Stack Compatibility
Many positive effects on weight and metabolic markers in the literature come from combination products containing Cissus; attributing benefit to Cissus alone is uncertain.