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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
Cissus Quadrangularis doesn't have enough studies with structured effect-size data yet to pool a verdict. Browse the studies below for individual findings.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2006–2026.
Based on 17 studies · 2 meta-analyses · 11 RCTs
Confidence
High confidenceBy outcome
A 2017 meta-analysis found benefit for fractures and combination-product weight loss but rated quality low, while a controlled trial showed no bone-density change and most remaining evidence is animal data.
11 randomised trials
91% were about Cissus Quadrangularis in an audit of 11 of them
Every randomised or controlled trial of Cissus Quadrangularis indexed in PubMed, not a hand-picked subset. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews are deliberately excluded from this count: most of them cover many compounds at once, so counting them would inflate it.
PubMed · as of Sep 2026
2 trials ongoing or recruiting · 2 completed on ClinicalTrials.gov
Registered trials show research momentum for Cissus Quadrangularis, not proof of effect — a registration is a plan, and posted results are sponsor-reported, not peer-reviewed. They are never counted toward the evidence rating above.
Browse these trials on ClinicalTrials.govClinicalTrials.gov · as of Oct 2026
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.
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
Cissus Quadrangularis has an evidence score of 4/10 — emerging evidence based on 17 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.
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 has a safety rating of "moderate". That is a category, not a measure of individual risk, and there are precautions worth knowing. Reported side effects include mild GI upset / gas, headache or dry mouth. How often they occur is not established for all of them. Use caution if any of these apply to you: Pregnancy/breastfeeding (not adequately studied); Diabetes medication users (may add to glucose-lowering effect).
Boswellia
Probably helpsPotent anti-inflammatory resin extract with strong evidence for joint pain, arthritis, and inflammatory conditions.
Curcumin
Probably helpsTurmeric's active compound that modulates NF-kB inflammatory pathways — supports mood, joint health, and post-exercise recovery.
Green Tea Extract
Likely helpsConcentrated catechins from green tea, studied for metabolism, fat oxidation, blood lipids and antioxidant markers.
Glucomannan
Likely helpsAbsorbs up to 50x its weight in water, creating strong satiety — supports weight loss, blood sugar regulation, and cholesterol reduction.
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Reviewed by Dr. Baher Al Hakim · Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 17 studies · how we score · editorial policy
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.
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