Cissus quadrangularis-Bone setter, the bone suppliment, anti-obesity drug, अस्थि संहार , ചങ്ങലംപരണ്ട, பிரண்டை .

Vitis quadrangularis-Asthisamhara

Due to its property of uniting the broken bones it is called asthi samhara in sanskrit. Based upon its usage it is classified to the group “asthi sandhana”.

Family : Vitaceae

Scientific name : Vitis quadrangularis, Cissus quadrangularis

Nomenclature in other languages :

Sanskrit : Vajravalli, asthisamhara, granthimaan, asthisrungkhala, kulishsha

Hindi : harshankar, harjora

Bengali : hasjora

Tamil : piradal

Telugu : nulenda, nullendatigeh

English : Bone setter

Distribution : Seen mainly in the tropical areas. Seen in mainly tropical deciduous forests.

Botanical description :

Is a fleshy creeper that is filled with liquid in the stems. In a stem that has four corners like a cube within a space of 15cm there are joints connecting one part of stem with the other one like in a sugarcane. From the above said joints on one side there is tendrils arising and on the other side there are leaves. The leaves are somewhat heart shaped. The flowers grow around opposite to where the leaves are positioned. Flowers are very small. The sepals are like a cup and are large enough to cover the small flowers entirely. The flowers have four petals which are triangular shaped. The stamens are four. The fruit is a berry with one seed. It becomes reddish upon ripening.

Chemical composition :

This plant contains calcium oxalate, carotene, ascorbic acid, protein, cholestrol, carbohydrate, pectin and vitamin C. The ashes of this plant contains calcium carbonate, calcium sulphate, magnesium.

The plant contains steroid, ketosteroids, sitosterol, alphaamyrin, alpha-ampyrone, and tetra cyclic triterpenoids. Phytogenic steroids showed bone healing properties. Coloside A possesses smooth muscle relaxant effect. The total alcoholic extract of the plant neutralizes the anti-anabolic effect of the cortisone in healing of fractures. The aqueous extract of the plant hastens fracture-healing by reducing the total convalescent peroid by 33% in experimental rats and dogs ; it aids in recovery of the strength of the bones upto 90% in 6 weeks.

Dose : Stem -10 – 20 ml juice. (API Vol. III)

Action : The anabolic and steroidal principles of the ariel part showed a marked influence in the rate of fracture healing. The drug exerts influence both on the organic and mineral phase of fracture healing. Stem-alternative in scurvy ( the plant is rich in vitamin C) and irregular menstruation.

Experimental studies :

One preliminary clinical study of found a benefit in reduction and an improvement in the symptoms associated with metabolic syndrome in obese patients when given c.quadrangularis (CQ) supplements.Another study found a potential synergistic effect between CQ and Irvingia gabonensis. A weight loss supplement containing CQ and other ingredients including green tea, soy, selenium, chromium, and B vitamins was evaluated in an 8 week trial. The supplement helped reduce body weight by 4-8% (placebo 2.4%) a clinically significant weight loss.

A paper published in the World journal of gastroentrology in October 2010, on conflicts of interest in alternative weight loss product research, noted that at least three studies supported the safety and effectiveness of CQ for weight loss, but “lack financial disclosures or funding sources, beyond mentioning that the CQ being tested was provided bygeneral health alliances, an herbal product manufacturer. The studies did not disclose that one of its authors was a chief scientific officer for gha that holds a patent on a CQ product.

CQ has been studied for its effects in a rat model for osteoporosis.

CQ has been studied in animal models of bone fracture.

Its bactericidal effects on Helicobacter pylori indicate a potential use for treating gastric ulcers in conjunction with NSAID therapy.

Ayurvedic pharmacoepia :

Rasa : madhura

Guna : Rooksha, laghu

Virya : ushna

Vipaka : madhura

Medicinal uses in Ayurveda :

VAJRAVALLI SARA ROOKSHA KRUMI DUR NAAMA NAASHINI

DEEPATYUSHNA VIPAAKE CHA SYAT DWEEVRUSHYA BALA PRADA

ASTHI SANDHAANA JANANI VAATA SLESHMA HARA GURU (KAIYYADEVA NIGHANTU)

It allieviates kapha, vata. It has a property of uniting broken bones so it is called sandhaneeya. It is deepana as well as pachana. It regulates menstruation.

Useful parts : leaves and stems.

Some therapeutical usages :

-for irregular menstruation ½ an ounce of stem juice (crushed) and an equal amount of honey taken thrice daily is beneficial

-for excessive menstrual bleeding mixing stem juice of CQ with chandana, ghee, honey ( ghee and honey must not be taken in equal quantities)

-for fractures and muscular contusions the paste of stem when bandaged is very beneficial, also oil prepared out of sesame oil and juice & paste of CQ is beneficial for abhyanga or external oil application over affected parts

-the tender leaves of CQ when dried in sun and powdered, taken 3-6gm daily twice cures dyspepsia, anorexia, indigestion

-for ear aches and suppurative diseases (CSOM) of the ears, the juice of stem when poured into the ears is beneficial

-for osteoarthritis, poly arthralgia and other degenerative bone disorders making vada by mixing with stem juice helps in reducing the symptoms

-it is used in piles and rheumatoid arthritis