Cissus quadrangularis: Uses, Benefits, Dosage & Safety
Last updated: August 2026 · Reviewed by the FactoWiki Editorial Team for clarity and source accuracy
Quick summary
Cissus is an Ayurvedic vine traditionally used for fractures and joint pain, now sold mainly to athletes for joint support. The bone-healing tradition has some preclinical backing; the human evidence for joint pain in athletes is thin and largely from small studies with industry involvement.
What is Cissus quadrangularis?
Cissus quadrangularis is a succulent vine used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, traditionally for bone fractures — its Sanskrit name translates roughly as 'bone-setter'. It contains ketosterones, flavonoids and vitamin C. Supplements are usually standardised stem extracts.
What Cissus quadrangularis is commonly used for
Joint pain in athletes, bone health and fracture recovery, and — with much weaker justification — weight management.
How Cissus quadrangularis works
The proposed mechanisms are anti-inflammatory activity through COX inhibition, antioxidant effects, and some influence on osteoblast activity in bone. Preclinical work on fracture healing is reasonably consistent. Translation to human joint pain relief is where the evidence thins.
What the evidence says
Each claim below is tied to the specific study behind it, rather than to a general reading list.
- Eight weeks of Cissus extract reduced joint pain in exercising men in a small randomised trial. Bloomer et al., Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2013 — randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. (PubMed)
- Preclinical studies support an effect on fracture healing and osteoblast activity. Potu et al., Clinics, 2009 — animal model of bone healing. (PubMed)
- Systematic reviews note small sample sizes and methodological limitations across the human literature. Sawangjit et al., Phytotherapy Research, 2017 — systematic review. (PubMed)
Typical dosage used in studies
Trials in athletes have used 3,200 mg daily of an unstandardised extract; other studies use 300–600 mg of standardised extract. The variation makes cross-study comparison difficult.
Side effects and safety
Generally well tolerated in short trials. Reported effects include headache, flatulence, dry mouth and insomnia. Long-term human safety data are limited.
Medication interactions and who should avoid Cissus quadrangularis
Medication & safety check
May have mild blood-sugar-lowering effects, so monitor if you take diabetes medication. Caution with anticoagulants given the anti-inflammatory activity.
General information, not personal medical advice. If you take any medication, confirm it is safe to combine with Cissus quadrangularis with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Sources & further reading
The claim-level citations above are drawn from these sources:
- Bloomer et al., Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2013 — randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial — find on PubMed
- Potu et al., Clinics, 2009 — animal model of bone healing — find on PubMed
- Sawangjit et al., Phytotherapy Research, 2017 — systematic review — find on PubMed
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
- NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
Frequently asked questions
Does Cissus help joint pain?
Possibly, modestly, in exercising adults — based on small trials. It is nowhere near the evidence base of established options, and the studies are limited in size and independence.
Can it help a broken bone heal?
The traditional use and animal data point that way, but there is no adequate human trial. A fracture needs orthopaedic care, not a supplement.
Is it a weight loss supplement?
It is marketed that way based on a handful of small studies, usually combined with other ingredients. Treat that claim as unsupported.
Where you'll find Cissus quadrangularis
Cissus quadrangularis appears in Joint, Bone & Sports formulas. Browse the supplement guides to see the products we review, each with a full breakdown of formula, pricing and safety.
Related ingredients to explore
Ingredients often studied or formulated alongside Cissus quadrangularis.
General information, not medical advice.