Cissus quadrangularis L - Its Botany, Chemistry and Medicinal Importance: A Review

Abstract

Herbs are known as a natural source of medicines as well as other commercial products and have gained attention for many reasons such as low price, no side effects, solutions for chronic diseases and many preventive approaches, etc. Out of 2, 50,000 higher plant species, 80,000 species are medicinal important plants. Cissus quadrangularis L. is one of the important medicinal plants, belonging to family Vitaceae and common name is ‘Hadjod’. It is a succulent plant found in warm tropical areas. The plant is well known in Ayurveda for its bone fracture healing properties. The literature survey revealed that the plant has some pharmacological properties such as free radical scavenging, anti microbial, anti bacterial, antioxidant, bone healing, anti ulcer, anti inflammatory, analgesic and diuretic properties. The plant extract is also useful in skin diseases, epilepsy, tumors, chronic ulcers, swellings, hemorrhage helminthiasis, anorexia, etc. The present review is an effort to focus on the medicinal importance of C. quadrangular is, its Botany, phytoconstituents and pharmacological reports.