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Asthishrinkhala

Cissus quadrangularis L.

Asthishrinkhala (Cissus quadrangularis L.) is a plant drug, also called Vajravalli and Hariajoria, from the Vitaceae family. Not listed in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as Asthishrinkhala/Hadjod; available as dietary supplement in US and European markets.

Key facts
Botanical nameCissus quadrangularis L.
FamilyVitaceae
OrderVitales
Pharmacopoeia statusNot listed in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as Asthishrinkhala/Hadjod; available as dietary supplement in US and European markets
Taxon identifiersGBIF 7130673 · Wikidata Q2157164 · NCBI Taxonomy 165298
Names in other languages
Sanskritवज्रवल्ली (vajravallī)
Hindiहड़जोड़ (haṛajoṛa)
Tamilபிரண்டை

Sources: API Vol III, ASTHIŚṚṄKHALĀ, Sanskrit: Vajravallī, Chatudhārā; Pandanus record for Cissus quadrangularis, Sanskrit: asthiśṛṅkhalā, vajravallī; API Vol III, monograph ASTHIŚṚṄKHALĀ / Asthisaṃhāra (Cissus quadrangularis), Hindi: Hadjod, Urdu: Hathjod; MMPND Sorting Cissus, HINDI: Hadjod, Hadjora; Pandanus record for Cissus quadrangularis, Hindi: haḍjoḍ, haḍjoḍā; Tamil Lexicon, University of Madras p.2672: "பிரண்டை piraṇṭai, n. [M. piraṇṭa.] Square-stalked vine, m. cl., Vitis quadrangularis" (Vitis quadrangularis = Cissus quadrangularis); API Vol III, ASTHIŚṚṄKHALĀ, Tamil: Perandai; Pandanus, Tamil: piraṇṭai, vajjiravallī. How we source.

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2013 to 2025, every one with a DOI.

  • 3Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  • 1Randomised controlled trials
  • 3Other clinical studies and reviews
  • 5Laboratory and animal studies

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishAsthishrinkhala
Latin/BotanicalCissus quadrangularis L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Osteogenic mechanism through MAPK pathway-dependent upregulation of alkaline phosphatase in osteoblasts, enhanced collagen synthesis, and accelerated calcium deposition at fracture sites
  • Anti-inflammatory and analgesic action mediated by quercetin and other flavonoids inhibiting COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokine cascades, reducing fracture-site inflammation
  • Antioxidant mechanism through resveratrol, piceatannol, and quadrangularin-A scavenging of reactive oxygen species, protecting osteoblasts from oxidative damage

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Traditionally used as Asthi Sandhanaka (bone setter) for bone fractures. Clinical studies and a meta-analysis reported improvement in bone biomarkers.
  • Clinical studies have reported weight and body fat reduction with supplementation of an extract of the herb.
  • Traditionally used for pain and musculoskeletal conditions. In vivo studies have reported analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity.

What do recent studies show?

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • 90-day subchronic toxicity study showed no adverse effects at doses up to 2500 mg/kg/day; in vitro and in vivo mutagenicity studies revealed no mutagenic potential
  • Minor reported side effects include headache, intestinal gas, diarrhea, and dry mouth; should be used with caution in diabetic patients due to hypoglycemic potential and in those on anticoagulants due to potential interactions

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (stem powder), Capsule, Tablet, Swarasa (fresh stem juice), Sandhi Bala Taila (medicated oil, external), Lepa (bone-setting paste), Ghana Vati

Standard Dosage: 3-6g stem powder twice daily; 500mg-1g extract capsule twice daily; 10-20ml fresh stem juice; external paste/oil as needed

Optimal Timing: Traditionally taken with warm milk twice daily in fracture management (continued for 6-8 weeks). External paste application at fracture site.

Storage: Fresh stems refrigerated, process within 48 hours. Dried powder in airtight containers below 25°C. Capsules with desiccant.

Marker Compounds: Ketosterone, 3,3’-di-O-methylquercetin, Resveratrol, Piceatannol, Pallidol, Quadrangularin A-C, Beta-sitosterol, Calcium oxalate, Ascorbic acid, Beta-carotene

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Laksha (lac) for fracture healing (classical Laksha + Asthishrinkhala combination)
  • With Ashwagandha for bone density and strength
  • With Arjuna for calcium metabolism
  • With Guduchi for anti-inflammatory support in fractures
  • With Shatavari and milk for comprehensive bone nourishment

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses3

  1. Na Takuathung M, Aisara J, Sawong S and others. 2025. The effects of Cissus quadrangularis on bone-related biomarkers in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysisBMC complementary medicine and therapies. PMID 40707943 · doi:10.1186/s12906-025-04995-8
  2. Maunder A, Bessell E, Lauche R and others. 2020. Effectiveness of herbal medicines for weight loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsDiabetes, obesity & metabolism. PMID 31984610 · doi:10.1111/dom.13973
  3. Sawangjit R, Puttarak P, Saokaew S and others. 2017. Efficacy and Safety of Cissus quadrangularis L. in Clinical Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 28165166 · doi:10.1002/ptr.5783

Randomised controlled trials1

  1. Youovop J, Takuissu G, Minoue R and others. 2025. Effects of Dichrostachys glomerata and Cissus quadrangularis Extracts on GLP-1 Secretion and DPP-4 Activity in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Randomized Controlled TrialMedicina (Kaunas, Lithuania). PMID 41597327 · doi:10.3390/medicina62010041

Other clinical studies and reviews3

  1. Bafna PS, Patil PH, Maru SK and others. 2021. Cissus quadrangularis L: A comprehensive multidisciplinary reviewJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 34181958 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114355
  2. Kaur J, Sharma G, Mahajan A and others. 2021. Role of Cissus quadrangularis in the Management of Osteoporosis: An OverviewCritical reviews in therapeutic drug carrier systems. PMID 34375512 · doi:10.1615/CritRevTherDrugCarrierSyst.2021033808
  3. Stohs SJ, Ray SD. 2013. A review and evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Cissus quadrangularis extractsPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 22976133 · doi:10.1002/ptr.4846

Laboratory and animal studies5

  1. Mondal I, Zilani MNH, Lisany NF and others. 2025. Cissus quadrangularis Revealed as a Potential Source of Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Diabetic Pharmacophore in Experimental and Computational StudiesChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 40961465 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202500903
  2. R K, S M, Igk I and others. 2024. Analyzing the Antihyperglycemic Effect of Cissus quadrangularis and Bacopa monnieri on 3T3-L1 Cell LinesCureus. PMID 38380214 · doi:10.7759/cureus.52661
  3. Lee JJ, Lee J, Choi JS and others. 2024. Effects of Cissus quadrangularis L. Powder on Proximate Composition, Physicochemical and Textural Properties of TteokgalbiFood science of animal resources. PMID 38765287 · doi:10.5851/kosfa.2024.e11
  4. Zhao X, Wang Y, Zhang Z and others. 2024. In-vitro Antioxidant, In-vitro and In-silico Ovarian Anticancer Activity (Ovarian Cancer Cells-PA1) and Phytochemical Analysis of Cissus quadrangularis L. Ethanolic ExtractCombinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening. PMID 37818574 · doi:10.2174/0113862073255558230926114444
  5. Syed AA, Reza MI, Shafiq M and others. 2022. Cissus quadrangularis extract mitigates diabetic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting RAAS activation, inflammation and oxidative stressBiomarkers : biochemical indicators of exposure, response, and susceptibility to chemicals. PMID 35896310 · doi:10.1080/1354750X.2022.2107703

Reference lists that include it

Kaempferol, Quercetin

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.