Cissus quadrangularis

Description

Cissus quadrangularis reaches a height of 1.5 m and has quadrangular-sectioned branches with internodes 8-10 cm long and 1.2-1.5 cm wide. Along each angle is a leathery edge. Toothed trilobe leaves 2-5 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.

Cissus quadrangularis is an evergreen climber growing to 5 m by .5 m at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone (UK) 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Cissus quadrangularis W2 IMG 3196.jpg|Cissus Quadrangularis in Rangareddy district of Telangana, India. Cissus Quadrangualaris 12.JPG|Cissus Quadrangularis in Thrissur, Kerala, India

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 Assamese people and the Garo tribe of Meghalaya and Bangladesh have used C. quadrangularis for bone fracture.

Experimental studies

C. quadrangularis has been studied for its effects in a rat model for osteoporosis.{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1080/03009730902891784| pmid = 19736603| title = Evidence-based assessment of antiosteoporotic activity of petroleum-ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis Linn. On ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis| journal = Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences| volume = 114| issue = 3| pages = 140–8| year = 2009| last1 = Potu | first1 = B. K. | last2 = Rao | first2 = M. S. | last3 = Nampurath | first3 = G. K. | last4 = Chamallamudi | first4 = M. R. | last5 = Prasad | first5 = K. | last6 = Nayak | first6 = S. R. | last7 = Dharmavarapu | first7 = P. K. | last8 = Kedage | first8 = V. | last9 = Bhat | first9 = K. M. R.

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

The enzymatic and an in vitro cell culture study shows the potential anti-inflammatory and inhibitory properties of Cissus quadrangularis.

Furthermore, the plant may be used in many biomedical applications. The synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles has indicated the presence of phytochemicals such as carbohydrates, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, saponins, and flavonoid. The synthesis uses plant extract.

References

References

1. {{GRIN
2. "''Cissus quadrangularis''". [[European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization]] (EPPO).
3. "Cissus quadrangularis Veldt Grape PFAF Plant Database".
4. (Jan–Jun 2017). "Medicinal plants and bone healing". National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery.
5. (Jan 2011). "Ethno-veterinary uses and informants consensus factor of medicinal plants of Sariska region, Rajasthan, India". Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
6. (1994). "Effect of Cissus Quadrangularis in Accelerating Healing Process of Experimentally Fracture Radius-Ulna of Dog: A Preliminary Study". Indian Journal of Pharmacology.
7. (2006). "Protective effect of Cissus quadrangularis on neutrophil mediated tissue injury induced by aspirin in rats". Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
8. (2012). "Evaluation of Cissus quadrangularis extracts as an inhibitor of COX, 5-LOX, and proinflammatory mediators". Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
9. (2021). "Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Potential of Cissus quadrangularis-Assisted Copper Oxide". Journal of Nanomaterials.