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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 high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2006–2026 with a typical study size of 354 participants.
Based on 17 studies · 2 meta-analyses · 11 RCTs · 602 total participants
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.
13 rigorous studies
11 randomized trials · 2 meta-analyses · 2 systematic reviews
Our evidence rating for Cissus Quadrangularis is accountable to this entire body of rigorous research indexed in PubMed — not a hand-picked subset.
PubMed · as of Jul 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for Cissus Quadrangularis, not proof of effect — a registration is a plan, and posted results are sponsor-reported, not peer-reviewed.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 Sep 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 11 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 is generally safe at recommended doses, with a few precautions worth noting. Reported side effects are uncommon and include 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).
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Likely helpsTurmeric's active compound that modulates NF-kB inflammatory pathways — supports mood, joint health, and post-exercise recovery.
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Likely helpsConcentrated catechins from green tea that support metabolism, fat oxidation, brain health, and antioxidant defense.
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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