Cissus quadrangularis (Linn) has long been used to promote fracture healing. The herb is well known as “Hadjod”. This herb contains flavanoids, triterpenoids, vitamin C, stilbene derivatives, resveratrol, piceatannol, pallidol perthenocissin and phytosterols.  Ascorbic acid, triterpene, β-sitosterol, ketosteroid, two asymmetrical tetracyclic triterpenoids and calcium are the major constituents. Vitamins and steroids have specific effect on bone fracture healing.

A clinical study assessed the effect of C. quadrangularis in fracture healing. Sixteen patients with different types of fractures were treated with C. quadrangularis besides standard treatment of fractures. Radiological observations revealed that the results were excellent in 6 cases with 40% reduction in healing time, good in 8 cases with 53% reduction in healing time and poor in 1 case with 7% reduction in healing time. Clinically, in nearly 80% of the cases, excellent results were observed. In about 14% of the cases, the results were found to be good. In some treated cases while radiologically only early callus formation was noted, clinically the symptoms of fracture including pain, tenderness and swelling were significantly absent.

C. quadrangularis was thus found to have potential fracture healing activity and hastens the mineralization process.

Reference

1. Mishra G, Srivastava S, Nagori BP. Pharmacological and Therapeutic Activity of Cissus quadrangularis: An Overview. Int J PharmTech Res. 2010;2(2):1298-1310.