Cissusquadrangularis or Hadjod is an herb known for its bone-healing potential. The herb stimulates osteoblastogenesis and has antioxidant property.

Kharik et al carried out a study to determine the effect of C. quadrangularis on bone healing in fractured bone. The study included experimental models divided into 2 groups - Group A (Treatment group) was divided into six subgroups of five experimental models each given the herbal extract for 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 28 days, 35 days, 42 days, respectively from the day of fracture, while Group B formed the control group comprising of 6 experimental models.

Following treatment initiation, total effect of therapy assessed by histopathological study in treatment group was highly significant from 4^th week onwards. After completion of the study, it was observed that mature bone or bone repair process was seen weakly at 2^nd-3^rd week, thus suggesting acceleration of bone healing process with gradual re-modeling. Overall, the bone healing process showed 10% faster healing period in group A as compared to group B.

During weekly bone matrix study, bone matrix formation was observed as 5% at 1^st week in Group A compared to 0% in Group B. Bone matrix formation slowly increased from 1st week to 6th week in Group A (Fig. 1). Group A exhibited a mean 10% more bone matrix formation than Group B. Week-wise cortical repair study revealed earlier initiation of repair process from 1st week in Group A when compared with Group B, with steady increase up to week 6. Mean 9% more cortical repair was noted in Group A compared to Group B.

Group A showed early mobility in comparison with Group B which could be attributed to the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of C. quadrangularis and early bone maturation. There was 13% more average mean callus formation and average 5% more cellularity in Group A compared to Group B. Peak vascularity was observed on 3rd week in both groups but was 10% more in Group A (85%) than Group B (75%) (Fig. 2).

The study concluded that early completion of calcification process and earlier remodeling resulted in early recovery in C. quadrangularis treated models. Mature bone or bone repair process seen during 2^nd-3^rd week suggested accelerated bone healing.

Reference

1. Kharik A, Morade S, Surse Y, Dehankar M. To evaluate efficacy of asthishrunkhala (Cissusquadrangularis) on acceleration of bone healing in fractured bone. Int J Ayur Pharma Research 2019;7(9):1-7.