Cissus quadrangularis has long been used to heal fractures. A study by Raut and Rasale sought to determine the analgesic property of C. quadrangularis in 80 patients with uncomplicated bone fracture. The patients were divided into two groups of 40 patients each. Group A received C. quadrangularis while Group B was given placebo.

The analgesic property of C. quadrangularis was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Effect on pain in terms of VASat different times revealed that mean±SD of VAS in Group A was 10, 5.05±0.31, 2.76 ±0.97 and 0.12± 0.33 at baseline, Day 7, Day 21 and Day 31, respectively. In Group B, the values were 10, 5.57 ±1.41, 3.57± 0.59 and 0.72±0.45, respectively.

On Day 21, mean change of VAS in Group A was 7.32±0.97 compared to 6.42± 0.59 in Group B, suggesting a significant reduction in pain in Group A compared with Group B (P<0.0001, HS i.e. highly significant). On Day 31, mean change of VAS in Group A was 9.87±0.33 compared to 9.27± 0.45 in Group B, again suggesting a significant reduction in pain in Group A compared with Group B(p=<0.0001, HS) (Fig.1). Relief from pain was relatively earlier in GroupA compared toGroup B despite minimal use of concomitant medication.

This could be attributed to the potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of C. quadrangularis. The herb is widely used for fracture healing and can also reduce the load of analgesic drugs used in fracture management.

1: Day 21; 2: Day 31

Reference

1. Raut SY, Rasale PL. Assessment of analgesic property of Ciccus Qudrangularis in the patients of bone fracture by using visual analogue scale. World J Pharm Sci 2017;5(6):253-256.