Cissus quadrangularis

Cissus quadrangularis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Vitales
Family: Vitaceae
Genus: Cissus
Species: C. quadrangularis
Binomial name
Cissus quadrangularis
L.
Synonyms

Cissus quadrangula
Vitis quadrangularis

Cissus quadrangularis is a perennial plant of the grape family. It is also commonly known as Veldt Grape, Devil's Backbone, Asthisamharaka and Hadjod.

Distribution

It is probably native to India or Sri Lanka, but is also found in Africa, Arabia, and Southeast Asia. It has been imported to Brazil and the southern United States.

Description

Cissus quadrangularis reaches a height of 1.5 m and has quadrangular-sectioned branches with internodes 8 to 10 cm long and 1.2 to 1.5 cm wide. Along each angle is a leathery edge. Toothed trilobe leaves 2 to 5 cm wide appear at the nodes. Each has a tendril emerging from the opposite side of the node. Racemes of small white, yellowish, or greenish flowers; globular berries are red when ripe.

Traditional medicine

Cissus quadrangularis has been used as a medicinal plant since antiquity. Cissus has been used in various Ayurvedic classical medicines to heal broken bones and injured ligaments and tendons. In siddha medicine it is considered a tonic and analgesic, and is believed to help heal broken bones, thus its name asthisamharaka (that which prevents the destruction of bones). The Garo tribe of Bangladesh have used C. quadrangularis as a medicinal plant for bone fracture.[1]

Experimental studies

One preliminary clinical study found a benefit in weight reduction and an improvement in the symptoms associated with metabolic syndrome in obese patients when given C. quadrangularis supplements.[2] Another study found a potential synergistic effect between C. quadrangularis and Irvingia gabonensis.[3] A weight loss supplement containing Cissus quadrangularis 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.[4]

A paper published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology 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 by" General Health Alliances, an herbal products 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.[5]

C. quadrangularis has been studied for its effects in a rat model for osteoporosis.[6]

C. quadrangularis has been studied in animal models of bone fracture.[7]

Its bactericidal effects on Helicobacter pylori indicate a potential use for treating gastric ulcers in conjunction with NSAID therapy.[8]

Chemistry

C. quadrangularis has been found to contain carotenoids, triterpenoids, and ascorbic acid.[9] The plant also produces the resveratrol dimer quadrangularin A.[10]

Synonyms

References

  1. ↑ Mia, Md. Manzur-ul-Kadir; Kadir, Mohammad Fahim; Hossan, Md. Shahadat; Rahmatullah, Mohammed (Jan–Apr 2009). "Medicinal plants of the Garo tribe inhabiting the Madhupur forest region of Bangladesh". American-Eurasian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 3 (2): 165–171.
  2. ↑ Oben, J.; Kuate, D.; Agbor, G.; Momo, C.; Talla, X. (2006). "The use of a Cissus quadrangularis formulation in the management of weight loss and metabolic syndrome". Lipids in Health and Disease 5: 24. doi:10.1186/1476-511X-5-24. PMC 1570348. PMID 16948861.
  3. ↑ Oben, J. E.; Ngondi, J. L.; Momo, C. N.; Agbor, G. A.; Sobgui, C. (2008). "The use of a Cissus quadrangularis/Irvingia gabonensis combination in the management of weight loss: A double-blind placebo-controlled study". Lipids in Health and Disease 7: 12. doi:10.1186/1476-511X-7-12. PMC 2330043. PMID 18377661.
  4. ↑ Greenway, FL; Bray, GA (2010). "Combination drugs for treating obesity". Current Diabetes Reports 10 (2): 108–15. doi:10.1007/s11892-010-0096-4. PMID 20425569.
  5. ↑ Lobb, Anno (14 October 2010). "Science of weight loss supplements: Compromised by conflicts of interest?". World Journal of Gastroenterology 16 (38): 4880–4882. doi:10.3748/wjg.v16.i38.4880. PMC 2955261. PMID 20939120. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  6. ↑ Potu, B. K.; Rao, M. S.; Nampurath, G. K.; Chamallamudi, M. R.; Prasad, K.; Nayak, S. R.; Dharmavarapu, P. K.; Kedage, V.; Bhat, K. M. R. (2009). "Evidence-based assessment of antiosteoporotic activity of petroleum-ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis Linn. On ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis". Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences 114 (3): 140–8. doi:10.1080/03009730902891784. PMC 2852762. PMID 19736603.
  7. ↑ "Effect of Cissus Quadrangularis in Accelerating Healing Process of Experimentally Fracture Radius-Ulna of Dog: A Preliminary Study" (PDF). Indian Journal of Pharmacology 26: 44–45. 1994.
  8. ↑ Jainu, M.; Mohan, K. V.; Devi, C. S. S. (2006). "Protective effect of Cissus quadrangularis on neutrophil mediated tissue injury induced by aspirin in rats". Journal of Ethnopharmacology 104 (3): 302–5. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.08.076. PMID 16338111.
  9. ↑ Mallika Jainu and C.S. Shyamala Devi (2005). "In vitro and In vivo evaluation of free radical scavenging potential of Cissus quadrangularis". African Journal of Biomedical Research 8: 95–99.
  10. ↑ Wenling Li, Hao Li, Ying Li and Zijie Hou. "Total Synthesis of (±)-Quadrangularin A". Angewandte Chemie International Edition 45 (45): 7609–7611. doi:10.1002/anie.200603097.
  11. ↑ Sinónimos en Tropicos

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