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Cissus quadrangularis
An Ayurvedic vine traditionally used as a 'bone setter' for fracture healing and joint pain, with newer interest in weight/metabolic effects. Human evidence is real but thin — a few small or proprietary-extract trials plus mostly animal data. A 2017 meta-analysis found benefit for bone fractures and (combination-product) weight loss, but flagged low study quality.
What the evidence says
Most Cissus Quadrangularis studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from medium-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2017–2023 with a typical study size of 1,108 participants.
Based on 4 studies · 1 meta-analysis · 1 RCT · 1,242 total participants
Confidence
ModerateBy outcome
Cissus Quadrangularis has an evidence score of 4/10 — emerging evidence based on 4 indexed studies, including 1 meta-analysis. An Ayurvedic vine traditionally used as a 'bone setter' for fracture healing and joint pain, with newer interest in weight/metabolic effects. Human evidence is real but thin — a few small or proprietary-extract trials plus mostly animal data. A 2017 meta-analysis found benefit for bone fractures and (combination-product) weight loss, but flagged low study quality. Representative study: PMID 28165166.
The commonly studied dose of Cissus Quadrangularis is 300-1600mg standardized extract daily (proprietary extracts like CQR-300 dosed at ~300mg; bone-loss RCT used 1.2-1.6g/day). Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
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Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 4 studies · how we score
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
Cissus quadrangularis (Hadjod, the 'bone setter') is a succulent vine used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to speed fracture healing and ease joint and bone pain. Its proposed actions span anabolic effects on bone (modulating osteoblast/osteoclast activity via BMP and Wnt signaling in preclinical models), antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and — for proprietary extracts like CQR-300 — appetite and metabolic effects possibly mediated by serotonergic signaling. The honest picture: a 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 trials (1,108 patients) found Cissus benefited bone fractures (low-quality evidence) and that combination products reduced body weight, LDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and fasting glucose versus placebo — but called for higher-quality studies. A 2022 RCT in postmenopausal women with osteopenia found Cissus slowed bone-turnover markers but produced NO change in bone mineral density over 24 weeks. The rest of the bone evidence is rodent and ex-vivo. Promising and broadly well-tolerated, but the human efficacy base remains small and partly tied to proprietary formulas.
Preclinical models show modulation of osteoblast/osteoclast activity via BMP and Wnt/β-catenin pathways and suppression of RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis, favoring bone formation.
Lowers inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers in animal and human studies, a plausible basis for joint/bone pain relief.
Proprietary extracts raised plasma serotonin (5-HT) and improved lipids/glucose in trials, hypothesized to curb appetite and support weight management.
How Cissus Quadrangularis works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
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300-1600mg standardized extract daily (proprietary extracts like CQR-300 dosed at ~300mg; bone-loss RCT used 1.2-1.6g/day)
Take with food
| Form | Type |
|---|---|
| 💊Standardized extract | Recommended |
| 🧪Whole-herb powder | Alternative |
Prefer a standardized extract that matches trial material for metabolic goals.
Minimum: 6 weeks
Optimal: 24 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: With meals, often split into two daily doses.
Dose-response data unavailable. The current published research for Cissus Quadrangularis does not provide sufficient dose-specific outcome data to generate reliable dose-response curves.
Refer to the Dosage & Timing section above for recommended dose ranges based on available evidence.
Traditional 'bone setter' use; meta-analysis found benefit for bone fractures on low-quality evidence.
Reported reduction in bone pain in pooled trial data.
Combination-product trials showed weight loss and improved lipids/glucose; single-ingredient effect less certain.
A 24-week RCT in osteopenic women found slowed bone turnover but no change in bone mineral density.
Monitor blood glucose; doses may potentiate antidiabetic medication.
Not adequately studied — avoid.
Cissus formulations lowered fasting blood glucose in trials; combining with glucose-lowering drugs could increase hypoglycemia risk — monitor.
Additive effects on lipids reported in trials; generally complementary but worth monitoring.
Tip: Take with food
Tip: Reduce dose
Both are used for joint comfort and connective-tissue/bone support via different mechanisms.
Layered joint and skeletal support.
Collagen supplies bone/joint matrix building blocks while Cissus may modulate bone-cell turnover.
Complementary structural and signaling support for bone and joints.
Boswellia adds anti-inflammatory joint-pain relief alongside Cissus.
Broader anti-inflammatory joint support.
The best time to take Cissus Quadrangularis is with meals. Take it with food. Taken with food; trials split dosing across the day.
Cissus Quadrangularis is generally safe at recommended doses, with a few precautions worth noting. The most commonly reported side effects are mild GI upset / gas, headache or dry mouth. Use caution if any of these apply to you: Pregnancy/breastfeeding (not adequately studied); Diabetes medication users (may add to glucose-lowering effect).
Concentrated catechins from green tea that support metabolism, fat oxidation, brain health, and antioxidant defense.