Cissus quadrangularis benefits and therapeutic uses are many.
This natural plant-based dietary supplement is thought to support the immune system, act as an anti-inflammatory, and provide anti-cancer benefits. It is also used as a weight loss aid, to improve athletic performance, enhance cardiovascular health and alleviate pain.
C. quadrangularis is a succulent vining plant from the Vitaceae family; related to grapes. It has been used for hundreds of years in both Indian (Ayurvedic) and African traditional medicine.
Modern American physicians utilize its health-enhancing properties for a variety of therapeutical purposes. Many athletes, especially bodybuilders, supplement with CQ as a legal alternative to anabolic steroid usage.
Traditionally used primarily to treat bone fractures and menstrual issues, Cissus quadrangularis use is currently undergoing widespread clinical research concerning its health-boosting capacities.



- Promotes joint health & pain reduction
- Sedative & muscle relaxing properties
- Supports weight loss & workout recovery
Cissus Quadrangularis Benefits
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The list of Cissus Quadrangularis benefits and mechanisms of action include the following:
- Induce sedation;
- Decrease onset times of epileptic convulsions;
- Treat general pain symptoms;
- Treat athletic performance-induced joint pain;
- Relax endothelium in blood vessels and in the heart;
- Enhance the utilization of glucose and increase insulin sensitivity;
- Decrease obesity and body mass indexes;
- Increase output power in athletic strength moves;
- Stimulate osteoblastic synthesis;
- Regulate the utilization of hormones including estrogen, testosterone, human growth hormone (hGH) and cortisol;
- Reduce inflammation;
- Relieve allergic reaction symptoms;
- Improve liver functioning;
- Ease nausea symptoms;
- Increase sexual desire and performance abilities;
- Treat symptoms of erectile dysfunction;
- Encourage bodily detoxification;
- Improve immune system functioning;
- Exhibits anti-cancer effects;
- Improve overall cardiovascular health;
- more…
Research on Cissus quadrangularis benefits has been very promising so far, however much more research is still needed to fully determine the repeatability of these effects. At this time, it is only available as a health supplement in the USA, and the FDA has not approved Cissus quadrangularis as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.
What Makes Cissus So Valuable?
There are antioxidant phytonutrients in CQ called asymmetrical tetracyclic triterpenoids (aka ketosteroids) that may have anti-cancer effects. More specifically, betulinic acid, one such ketosteroid, has shown action against the formation and development of cancerous cells in rodents.
Other bioactive compounds in CQ include various flavonoids, vitamins, minerals and certain stilbenes such as resveratrol.
Cissus Quadrangularis Benefits for Vasodilation
CQ is believed to induce generalized vasodilation to the endothelium of the heart and circulatory vessels. This accommodates improved nutrient delivery via the bloodstream and helps to remedy numerous health issues on various levels.
Taking a dose equal to 30mg per 1kg of body weight in humans seems to induce a vasodilative effect within 30 minutes. Of concern to athletes who use CQ for vasorelaxation benefits, the effects are often accompanied with sedative effects, making it a poor pre-workout choice for some.
Cissus for Recovery and Injury
Traditionally used for centuries as an effective agent for treating various bone disorders, CQ is commonly referred to as “Bone Setter”. Clinical evidence exists to show that CQ:
- Stimulates osteoblastic differentiation and proliferation ;
- Encourages collagen production, alleviates joint pain and increases joint range of motion;
- Impedes corticosteroid signaling, encouraging anabolism of bone tissues
Cissus Quadrangularis Effects on the Heart
Benefits of Cissus Quadrangularis have been shown to reduce risks for developing heart disease, and for lowering mortality rates overall. It significantly reduces LDL (unhealthy) and total cholesterol levels.
Also, it lowers triglyceride counts and elevates HDL (healthy) cholesterol. It further acts to change the profiles of lipids in plasma as well as slowing down blood-lipid peroxidation.
Antioxidant Benefits
Cissus has been clinically shown to exhibit strong antioxidant properties in rodent tests.
It is believed to act against free radical damages to the phospholipid bilayers which constitute the structural integrity of cellular membranes. In this way, CQ is believed to be able to help to protect every living cell from radical oxygen destruction.
It is estimated that each cell in the human body receives roughly ten thousand potentially destructive free radical attacks every 24-hours. Having more antioxidizing agents available in the system is favorable to prevent damage from being caused by these free radicals.
Cissus Quadrangularis Long-term Usage
Cissus quadrangularis has been used by many cultures in Africa and parts of Asia since before the Middle Ages. In Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and other countries, it is still one of the most prevalent medicinal agents in existence.
Its usage has been determined as “Possibly Safe” by the AMA and the Natural Medicines database. No side effects of major concern have ever been published in clinical trial results. In rare cases of improper supplementation, mild side effects like headaches, nausea, gas, and bloating were reported.
Because it is a natural product, and very few side effects are known, many people assume that Cissus supplementation is completely safe for everyone equally. This is not necessarily true. There are groups, like pregnant women and those scheduled for surgery, for whom CQ is not recommended.
To be sure that this supplement is right for your needs and that you may experience the best Cissus quadrangularis benefits possible, please consult with your doctor about before beginning any supplementation programs.
- Balasubramanian P, Jayalakshmi K, Vidhya N, Prasad R, Sheriff AK, Kathiravan G, Rajagopal K, Sureban SM. Antiviral activity of ancient system of ayurvedic medicinal plant Cissus quadrangularis L. (Vitaceae). J Basic Clin Pharm. 2009
- Barakat SE, Adam SE, Maglad MA, Wasfi IA. Effects of Cissus quadrangularis on goats and sheep in Sudan. Rev Elev Med Vet Pays Trop. 1985
- Chopra SS, Patel MR, Awadhiya RP. Studies of Cissus quadrangularis in experimental fracture repair : a histopathological study. Indian J Med Res. 1976
- Chopra SS, Patel MR, Gupta LP, Datta IC. Studies on Cissus quadrangularis in experimental fracture repair: effect on chemical parameters in blood. Indian J Med Res. 1975
- Sapsrithong T, Kaewprem W, Tongumpai S, Nusuetrong P, Meksuriyen D. Cissus quadrangularis ethanol extract upregulates superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression in hydrogen peroxide-injured human ECV304 cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012
- Lekshmi RK, Sreekutty MS, Mini S. The regulatory effects of Cissus quadrangularis on some enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Pharm Biol. 2015
Article last updated on: May 13th, 2018 by Nootriment