Cissus quadrangularis
Useful mainly for people seeking adjunctive support for joint discomfort or fracture recovery (preliminary evidence).
Quick decision guide
May help most
people seeking adjunctive support for joint discomfort or fracture recovery (preliminary evidence)
Common dosing range
500–3200 mg standardized stem extract/day
When to expect effects
Weeks (8–12)
Watch out for
may add to effects of antidiabetic and blood-pressure drugs; avoid in pregnancy
What is it
Cissus quadrangularis is a perennial succulent vine of the grape family (Vitaceae), native to South Asia and Africa, traditionally used in Ayurvedic, Siddha, and African ethnomedicine for bone health, joint pain, and wound healing. The aerial stems contain ketosteroids (such as alpha- and beta-amyrin and onocer-7-ene-3-alpha,21-beta-diol), triterpenes, flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol), vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus salts, and bioactive resveratrol derivatives. Modern supplement use centres on standardised dried stem extracts marketed for bone fracture healing, joint discomfort, athletic recovery, and metabolic syndrome support.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
bone fracture healing (adjunct) Limited Evidence | Uncertain | people recovering from fractures alongside standard orthopedic care | Weeks (6–12) |
metabolic syndrome markers Limited Evidence | Modest | adults with overweight or metabolic syndrome markers | Weeks (8–12) |
bone fracture healing (adjunct)
- Effect
- Uncertain
- Best fit
- people recovering from fractures alongside standard orthopedic care
- Time
- Weeks (6–12)
metabolic syndrome markers
- Effect
- Modest
- Best fit
- adults with overweight or metabolic syndrome markers
- Time
- Weeks (8–12)
Evidence for 2 uses
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
bone fracture healing (adjunct)
Disease adjunctSome small studies, several older, report faster fracture healing with Cissus quadrangularis added to standard orthopedic care. The evidence base is limited and methodologically weak. It should be considered adjunctive only.
Bottom line: Preliminary support for adjunctive fracture healing; not a substitute for standard care.
metabolic syndrome markers
Biomarker supportA few trials report improvements in weight and metabolic syndrome markers such as glucose and lipids with Cissus quadrangularis. These are biomarker changes from small studies and do not establish clinical outcomes. Independent replication is limited.
Bottom line: Shifts some metabolic markers in small trials, but clinical benefit is unproven.
How to take it
What to track
Safety
Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.
Common side effects
Who should avoid it
- pregnant or breastfeeding people
- people on antidiabetic or antihypertensive drugs without monitoring
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Avoid; safety in pregnancy and lactation is not established.
Interactions
possible additive glucose-lowering effect
possible additive blood-pressure effect
Choosing a product
What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.
Look for…
Be skeptical of…
References by claim
Track Cissus quadrangularis with Pilora
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Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.