Cissusquadrangularis Linn. is among the most frequently used medicinal plants in India. Commonly termed as a bone-setter, the plant contains phytoestrogenic steroids, ascorbic acid, carotene, calcium and anabolic steroids.

The plant is well-known for its fracture-healing potential. A study by Potu and colleagues assessed the effects of petroleum ether extract of C. quadrangularis on the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their osteogenic differentiation as well as extracellular matrix calcification. Another aim of the study was to evaluate the additive effect of osteogenic media and C. quadrangularis on proliferation, differentiation and calcification.

Investigators went on to culture MSCs in media with or without C. quadrangularis for a period of 4 weeks followed by staining for alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Extracellular matrix calcification was confirmed and marrow MSC cultures in control media and osteogenic media containing herb extract (100, 200, 300 µg/mL) were subjected to a cell proliferation assay.

Treatment with 100, 200 or 300 µg/mL extract of C. quadrangularis was found to increase the differentiation of marrow MSCs into ALP-positive osteoblasts. It also enhanced extracellular matrix calcification. The proliferation rate of marrow MSCs was enhanced with treatment with 300 µg/mL extract of C. quadrangularis. It is noteworthy that the cells grown in osteogenic media containing C. quadrangularis had higher proliferation, differentiation and calcification rates in comparison with control cells.

The researchers thus concluded that C. quadrangularis has the potential to facilitate osteoblastogenesis and could thus be beneficial in the management of osteoporosis.

Reference

1. Potu BK, Bhat KMR, Rao MS, et al.Petroleum ether extract of Cissusquadrangularis (Linn.) enhances bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and facilitates osteoblastogenesis. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2009;64(10):993-8.