Cissus quadrangularis, also known as veldt grape, adamant creeper, or devil’s backbone, is a plant revered for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. Native to parts of Asia, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula, this plant belongs to the grape family and has been used as a natural remedy to treat a wide variety of ailments. Historically, it has been used to treat conditions like hemorrhoids, gout, asthma, and allergies. Recent research suggests that this plant may also promote bone health, relieve joint pain, and potentially aid in weight loss and metabolic syndrome prevention. This article explores the science-backed benefits, uses, and potential side effects of Cissus quadrangularis, providing a comprehensive overview of its medicinal properties.
What is Cissus Quadrangularis?
Cissus quadrangularis is a plant rich in vitamin C and antioxidants like carotenoids, tannins, and phenols. The healing properties of this plant are attributed to its high contents of these beneficial compounds. Extracts produced from its leaf, root, and stem are widely available as herbal supplements in powder, capsule, or syrup form. Since ancient times, people have used it to help treat pain, regulate menstruation, and repair bone fractures.
Traditional Uses of Cissus Quadrangularis
For centuries, Cissus quadrangularis has been used in traditional medicine for various purposes, including:
- Hemorrhoids: Although traditionally used for this condition, a study in 570 people found that Cissus quadrangularis was no more effective than a placebo at reducing symptoms of hemorrhoids.
- Obesity: Some research suggests potential benefits in weight management.
- Allergies: There is currently a lack of scientific research evaluating the plant’s effects on allergies.
- Asthma: Similar to allergies, research on the effects of Cissus quadrangularis on asthma is lacking.
- Bone Loss: Studies suggest potential benefits in promoting bone health.
- Gout: As with allergies and asthma, there is no current research evaluating the plant’s effects on gout.
- Diabetes: Some research indicates potential benefits in managing blood sugar levels.
- High Cholesterol: Research suggests that Cissus quadrangularis may help in reducing cholesterol levels.
While Cissus quadrangularis has been used to treat some of these conditions, research on many of these uses is either lacking or has failed to show any benefits.
Science-Backed Benefits of Cissus Quadrangularis
Although Cissus quadrangularis is used to treat a number of health conditions, only a few of these uses are backed by research.
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Bone Health Promotion
Animal and human studies have found that Cissus quadrangularis may help reduce bone loss, speed the healing of fractures, and help prevent conditions like osteoporosis. An 11-week study found that feeding Cissus quadrangularis to mice with osteoporosis helped prevent bone loss by altering levels of certain proteins involved in bone metabolism. Furthermore, a study in 9 people observed that taking 500 mg of Cissus quadrangularis 3 times per day for 6 weeks helped speed the healing of fractured jaw bones and appeared to reduce pain and swelling. Similarly, a 3-month study in 60 people showed that taking 1,200 mg of Cissus quadrangularis daily promoted fracture healing and increased levels of a specific protein required for bone formation.
Joint Pain and Swelling Reduction
Cissus quadrangularis has been shown to help reduce joint pain and relieve symptoms of arthritis, a condition characterized by swollen, stiff joints. An 8-week study in 29 men with chronic joint pain found that taking 3,200 mg of Cissus quadrangularis daily significantly reduced exercise-induced joint pain. Another study observed that feeding Cissus quadrangularis extract to rats reduced joint swelling and decreased several markers of inflammation, indicating that it may help treat arthritis. Furthermore, a study in rats with arthritis noted similar findings, reporting that Cissus quadrangularis was more effective at reducing swelling than common medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and decrease inflammation. However, human studies in this area are lacking, and more research is needed to investigate the potential benefits of Cissus quadrangularis on joint health.
Potential Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, including excess belly fat, high blood pressure and blood sugar, and increased cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Some research shows that Cissus quadrangularis may help prevent metabolic syndrome by improving several of these conditions.
In an 8-week study, 123 people took 1,028 mg of Cissus quadrangularis daily, as well as a combination of other supplements, including green tea, selenium, and chromium. This treatment significantly decreased body weight and belly fat, regardless of diet. It also improved fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, and total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. In another 10-week study, 72 people took 300 mg of Cissus quadrangularis daily. Researchers observed that it reduced body weight, body fat, waist size, blood sugar, and total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
However, it’s important to note that one analysis of nine studies found that Cissus quadrangularis only increased weight loss when used in combination with other supplements - not when taken on its own. Due to a lack of studies on the effects of Cissus quadrangularis on metabolic syndrome, it’s unclear if it can help prevent or treat this condition.
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Cissus Quadrangularis and Weight Loss
Obesity is a global epidemic, linked to complications in lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. Genes favoring fat storage and sedentary lifestyles contribute to weight regain after initial loss. Cissus quadrangularis, particularly the herbal extract CQR-300, has shown promise in aiding weight loss when combined with diet and exercise. Studies suggest CQR-300 can help reduce body weight, body fat, waist and hip circumferences, blood pressure, cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood glucose levels.
One eight-week double-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial was conducted on 61 overweight or obese individuals told to maintain their normal exercise routines and who received individual dietary counseling. Participants were divided into four different groups: Placebo overweight, placebo obese, overweight receiving 300 mg Cissus quadrangularis extract (CQR-300 - A); obese receiving 300 mg (CQR-300 - B). Results were that after eight weeks of treatment, overweight participants of the placebo group showed a slight increase, while the obese participants showed a 3.1 percent decrease in body weight. In the same time period, there was an 8.4 and 11.3 percent decrease in the body weight respectively of overweight and obese participants on CQR-300. The decrease in weight in the CQR-300 group was paralleled by a significant decrease in the waist and hip circumferences, systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Compared with the placebo, there were also significant decreases in total cholesterol after four weeks and eight weeks for the overweight but not the obese group. Triglyceride and fasting blood glucose levels were also significantly reduced in overweight but not obese participants on CQR-300.
Another eight-week double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial was conducted on 67 overweight individuals with metabolic syndrome to confirm the efficacy of Cissus quadrangularis extract (CQR-300) in reducing the percentage body fat measured using two different methods-bioelectrical impedance assay versus dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The subjects were instructed to maintain their normal exercise and dietary routines. Participants were randomly divided into two groups, placebo (32 participants) and the CQR-300 group (35 participants) and received 300 mg of corn starch or CQR-300 daily. Results were that after eight weeks of treatment, participants in the placebo group showed a 1.05 percent decrease in body fat as determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis, but no difference using DEXA. In the same time period, the CQR-300 group had 8.9 percent and 12.8 percent decreases in the body fat as measured by impedance and DEXA, respectively. These values were significantly lower than the placebo. Compared with the placebo, the CQR-300 group demonstrated significant decreases in the waist and hip circumferences, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, as well as leptin levels. In addition, there were significant increases in HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin levels.
A 10-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted with 72 obese or overweight participants to evaluate the effects of two formulations, Cissus quadrangularis extract (CQR-300)-only and a CQR-300/Irvingia gabonensis (IG) combination, on weight loss in overweight and obese human subjects. The participants were randomly divided into three equal groups: placebo, CQR-300-only, and CQR-300/IG combination. Capsules containing the placebo or active formulations were administered twice daily before meals; no major dietary changes nor exercises were suggested during the study. Results were that, compared to the placebo group, the two active groups showed a statistically significant difference on all six variables by week 10. The magnitude of the differences was noticeable by week four and continued to increase over the trial period. The CQR-300-only group showed significant reductions on all variables compared to the placebo group.
Another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 123 overweight and obese persons to investigate the use of a Cissus quadrangularis extract (CQR-300) formulation in the management of metabolic syndrome, particularly weight loss and central obesity. The formula also included a soy albumin extract, a green tea extract, caffeine and niacin bound chromium. The 92 obese (BMI >30) participants were randomized into three groups: placebo, formulation/no diet, and formulation/diet (2100-2200 calories/day). The 31 overweight participants (BMI = 25-29) formed a fourth (no diet) treatment group. All participants received two daily doses of the formulation or placebo and remained on a normal or calorie-controlled diet for eight weeks. Results were that at the end of the trial period, statistically significant net reductions in weight and central obesity, as well as in fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and C-reactive protein were observed in participants who received the formulation, regardless of diet.
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Since obesity is generally linked to complications in lipid metabolism and oxidative stress, the aim of another study was to compare the effect of Cissus quadrangularis (CQR-300) to that of a proprietary formulation containing CQR-300 (CORE) on weight, blood lipids and oxidative stress in overweight and obese people. In addition to CQR-300, the CORE formula also contained a soy albumin extract, a green tea extract (with caffeine), niacin bound chromium, selenium, vitamins B6 and B12, and folic acid. The first part of the study investigated the in-vitro antioxidant properties of CQR-300 and CORE using three different methods, while the second part of the study was a double-blind placebo-controlled design, involving 153 overweight and obese persons. All participants received two daily doses of CQR-300, CORE or placebo and were encouraged to maintain their normal levels of physical activity. Results were that CQR-300 as well as CORE exhibited antioxidant properties in vitro. They also acted as in-vivo antioxidants, bringing about significant reductions in plasma TBARS (a common way to measure lipid peroxidation) and oxidative carbonyls. Both CQR-300 and CORE also brought about significant reductions in weight, body fat, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and fasting blood glucose levels over the respective study periods. These changes were accompanied by a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol levels, plasma serotonin and creatinine. In conclusion, CQR-300 (300 mg daily) and CORE (1028 mg daily) brought about significant reductions in weight and blood glucose levels, while decreasing serum lipids thus improving cardiovascular risk factors.
Mechanism of Action
The aqueous extract of C. quadrangularis stems and leaves contains flavonoids and stilbenes, which inhibit lipase, amylase and α-glucosidase. Lipase is an enzyme that breaks down dietary fat into fatty acids, while amylase and α-glucosidase break down starches into sugars. If the action of these enzymes is inhibited, then the absorption of fatty acids and sugars will be reduced, which means fewer calories to contribute to body weight. Therefore, these inhibition properties might be, at least in part, related to the claimed anti-obesity activity of the plant. In addition, the serotonin promoting properties of C.
Potential Side Effects and Precautions
When taken as directed, Cissus quadrangularis can be used safely with minimal risk of side effects. However, some minor side effects have been reported, the most common of which include gas, diarrhea, dry mouth, headaches, and insomnia. Given the limited research on the safety of taking Cissus quadrangularis during pregnancy, it’s best to avoid it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Additionally, check with your healthcare provider before starting Cissus quadrangularis supplements if you’re receiving treatment for diabetes, as it may lower blood sugar levels and could interfere with your medications.
Dosage and How to Use
Currently, there is no official recommended dosage for Cissus quadrangularis. Most supplements come in powder, capsule, or syrup form and are widely available online and at natural health shops and pharmacies. Most of these products recommend doses of 500 or 1,000 mg per day. However, studies have found doses of 300-3,200 mg per day to provide benefits. Ideally, you should start with a lower dose and slowly work your way up to assess your tolerance. As with any dietary supplement, consult your healthcare provider before taking Cissus quadrangularis.
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