Cissus quadrangularis L. (CQ) is known to have beneficial effects on bone metabolism. Different extracts of CQ have been shown to have bone fracture healing as well as antiosteoporotic activities.

A study was conducted to determine the effect of sequential extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, ethanol, and water) and freeze-dried juice of CQ on bone metabolism with the help of ovariectomy-induced osteoporotic experimental models. The experimental models were segregated into 8 groups: sham-operated, ovariectomized (ovx)-control, estradiol (E2)-treated and five CQ-treated ovx groups. The CQ extracts were orally administered for a period of 8 weeks. Bone mineral densities (BMD) of the femur and tibia, serum levels of osteocalcin – a bone formation marker, and TRAP5b – a bone resorption marker, and histomorphological change of lumbar spine, were assessed at the end of the study period.

Administration of hexane extract led to similar elevations in the BMD of the femur and tibia as that of sham-operated group (Fig. 1). This correlated with restoration of the trabecular bone of the lumbar spine, which was evident only in the hexane-treated group. The lowest serum levels of osteocalcin and TRAP5b were observed in the hexane-treated group, compared to the ovx-control and E2-treated groups (Fig. 2). This signified a decrease in the bone turnover rate. CQ extracts did not cause any toxicity throughout the study.

The findings thus suggest that CQ exerts a protective effect against ovariectomy-induced bone loss.

Fig. 1. Effect of CQ extracts and freeze-dried juice on BMD of femur and tibia

DCM: dichloromethane extract-treated group

Fig. 2. Effect of CQ extracts and freeze-dried juice on serum osteocalcin and TRAP5b levels

DCM: dichloromethane extract-treated group

Reference

1. Pathomwichaiwat T, Suvitayavat W, Sailasuta A, et al.Antiosteoporotic effect of sequential extracts and freeze-dried juice of Cissus quadrangularis L. in ovariectomized mice.Asian Biomedicine 2012;6(3):377-84.