A Review and Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Cissus quadrangularis Extracts. (13th September 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stohs, Sidney J.; Ray, Sidhartha D.
• Is Part Of: Phytotherapy research. Volume 27:Number 8(2013:Aug.)
• Page Start: 1107
• Page End: 1114
• Publication Date: 2012-09-13
• Subjects: Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; Botany, Medical -- Periodicals; Medicinal plants -- Periodicals; Plant Extracts -- therapeutic use -- Periodicals; Plants, Medicinal -- Periodicals; 581.634
• DOI: 10.1002/ptr.4846
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-418X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Extracts and powders of <italic>Cissus quadrangularis</italic> have been used for many years to promote bone and tissues healing, as an analgesic, to treat infections, as an anabolic, and to promote weight loss and weight management. This review summarizes the studies in animals, humans and <italic>in vitro</italic> systems that have been conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of various <italic>Cissus</italic> preparations. Animal and <italic>in vitro</italic> studies provide support for the use of <italic>Cissus</italic> in promoting bone fracture healing and as an anti‐osteoporotic. Several human studies support the use of <italic>Cissus</italic> extracts in weight management. No studies have been conducted demonstrating that <italic>Cissus</italic> exhibits anabolic and body building activities. Based on studies to date, <italic>Cissus</italic> extracts appear to be exceedingly safe and free of adverse effects at the doses commonly used. A wide variety of chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from <italic>Cissus</italic> extracts, including steroids, flavonoids, stilbenes, iridoids, triterpenes and gallic acid derivatives. However, in few cases have specific physiological effects been related to identifiable constituents. Better standardization of extracts and more well‐controlled human studies are required. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </abstract>