Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Overview: Cissus quadrangularis Linn.

Cissus quadrangularis (Linn) has been used by the common man in India, and neighboring countries, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia for promotion of fracture healing and well known as “Hadjod”. It is also known as Vitis quadrangularis Wall. belongs to family Vitaceae. It is a common perennial climber, which is distributed throughout India, particularly in tropical regions. It requires warm tropical climate and propagated by stem cuttings. The plant is prescribed in the ancient Ayurvedic literature as a general tonic and analgesic, with specific bone fracture healing properties. The plant is believed to be useful in helminthiasis, anorexia, dyspepsia, colic, flatulence, skin diseases, leprosy, hemorrhage, epilepsy, convulsion, haemoptysis, tumors, chronic ulcers, swellings. The scrutiny of the present overview revealed pharmacognostical, phytochemical and some notable pharmacological activities of the plant such as Anti-osteoporotic activity, antioxidant, free radical scavenging, antimicrobial, antibacterial, bone healing, anti ulcer, analgesic and anti inflammatory, diuretic, Anabolic and Androgenic activity and toxicity studies