Herb for joints and broken bones: Cissus

[poison]

Not sure if anyone here is familiar with this, but it's an Ayurvedic herb used for millennia in India. It's proven to speed the healing of broken bones, but anecdotal evidence, as well as traditional use, is showing it is effective for tendon strengthening and healing. Some small company brought it to the US around 5 years ago, and it's recently become the darling of the bodybuilding world for chronic joint pain (for tendon issues only, not cartilege, like glucosamine).

I've had chronic tendonitis in my Achilles for a while now, and cissus helped quite a lot. It also helped my rotator cuff, though it didn't fix it, as it's probably too far gone.

Cissus reduces cortisol, so it's being studied for use in human 'metabolic syndrome', ie 'I eat too much and I'm a fatty syndrome'. It increases bone density, so it's being studied for osteoporosis prevention. It has no negative side effects, aside from very large doses lowering cortisol too much and actually making joints dry and sensitive (large doses meaning triple the normal dose, or more).

I don't want to post links here, as I'm not sure what the rules are about that. You can find lots through google. It's ideal for many martial artists. If you look into buying, be sure you don't buy bulk powder. Only a couple brands use good herb. Also, 5-10% standardisation is best for the joints, higher percentages are best for other purposes.

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I should add that it has analgesic properties, so it's a GREAT replacement for NSAID's, which hinder athletic progress and are, in general, bad for you. The analgesic effect can decrease recovery time between hard workouts.

[tmd]

Some reputable sourced please ---- especially UK based if at all poss as I have just about every condition you describe this as helping :(

[poison]

I'd be happy to post the two brands I recommend, but I'm not sure what the rules are on that. I don't sell this stuff. :)

Someone PM'd me, asking for more info on it, and I can't PM back yet, so here:

Cissus quadrangularis is a unique, versatile herb that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Native to the warmer climates of Ceylon and India, it is documented in Ayurvedic texts as a powerful analgesic (1) that has the ability to inhibit stress-induced glucocorticoid activity (4), as well as the ability to accelerate healing in bone fractures (2). Cissus Quadrangularis has also been shown to combat bacterial infections, while at the same time reducing the severity of ulcers (1). Several unpublished case studies and large amounts of empirical data also suggest that taking cissus can mitigate tendon, ligament, joint and cartilage damage, acting as an analgesic while at the same time inhibiting inflammation-related damage (Applied Nutriceuticals Empirical Research).

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an important compound in immune function and tissue repair. It is required for the synthesis of important neurotransmitters, amino acids, and the synthesis of connective tissues (8). Vitamin C also has strong antioxidant properties, enhances iron absorption, and is needed for the formation of cholesterol-based hormones (8).

Mechanism of Mechanical Remodeling
In order to understand the true utility of Osteobolin-C as a joint, cartilage, and bone-enhancing compound, the connective tissue remodeling process (and how Osteobolin-C applies to it) must be discussed. Connective tissue is found throughout the body, and consists of 4 classes: connective tissue proper (fibrous tissue of ligaments), cartilage, bone tissue, and blood. All connective tissues have three main common elements: ground substance, fibers (collagen, elastic, and reticular), and cells (fibroblasts, chondroblasts, osteoblasts) (11). Subsequently, fibroblasts are associated with connective tissue proper, chondroblasts with cartilage, and osteoblasts with bone. The aforementioned “blast” cells synthesize the connective tissue matrix in mature mode, and the mature cells maintain the health of the matrix (11).

In the event of a joint, cartilage, or tendon injury where the connective tissue matrix becomes damaged, several compounds found in Osteobolin-C allow for the rapid mobilization of fibroblasts, chondroblasts, and osteoblasts to the injured area, along with increased retention of calcium, phosphorous, collagen, and mucopolysaccharides (2). With nutrients now flowing to the injured area, the increased calcium retention facilitates greater calcium uptake into connective tissue, giving it the remodeling materials (building blocks if you will) needed to assemble and heal an injury in a more timely fashion (3). Osteobolin-C also attenuates neutrophil infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 and IL-8) which are commonplace in joint, bone, and tendon injuries (11). Cytokines are protein-signaling compounds used for intercell communication (in this case signaling the cell to begin the inflammatory process) and neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell (in this case for the removal of bacteria and other material from an injured area). Both agents promote inflammation to the injured area, causing small blood vessels in the injured area to dilate. This process is called hyperemia, and it contributes to the physiologic responses seen in this type of injury: pain, heat, and swelling in the afflicted area. Also during this process, the enzyme myeloperoxidase is released in the injured area whichin turn produces hypochlorous acid (HOCl). HOCl is cytotoxic (toxic to cells), so myeloperoxidase can be considered a double-edged sword, in that while it kills bacteria and pathogens associated with the inflammatory process, it also kills healthy cells which are necessary for healing.

Osteobolin-C limits the inflammatory process and by minimizing myeloperoxidase activity in the damaged bone or connective tissue. Osteobolin-C through the process described above can attenuate pain and swelling associated with bone, tendon, and ligament damage, which allows for faster healing and a quicker time to recovery. Osteobolin-C can speed recovery from injuries that occur during training and every day life, plus it can it help reduce pain/discomfort from old injuries. Both anecdotal and scientific evidence exists proving that Osteobolin-C can alleviate pain, and in many cases has shown the ability to promote healing even in old injuries.

The Vitamin C contained in Osteobolin-C is important because it converts proline to hydroxyproline, the main substance needed for the formation of collagen, which is a very important structural element in tissue remodeling (8,11). Scientific research has indicated that the use of Osteobolin-C can greatly speed up healing in the bone fracture process, as some studies have suggested up to a 30% increase in bone mineralization over a period of six weeks, resulting in drastically (up to 50%) reduced healing times in test subjects (2, 5). In some studies, cissus quadrangularis (the main ingredient in Osteobolin-C) has been shown to reduce healing time of bone fractures up to 53% (5).

Due to it’s universally beneficial effects, Osteobolin-C has the ability to address the needs of the all individuals, from those with low-to-average activity levels to the competitive athlete. Although a great deal of research exists on the fracture healing qualities of Osteobolin-C, the effect of Osteobolin-C on the joints and connective tissue has been under-researched. However, a large amount of anecdotal data on athletes (track, weight lifting, and football) has been collected, with a growing assortment of anecdotal and empirical evidence that demonstrates the ability of Osteobolin-C to speed recovery, ease pain, reduce inflammation, and subsequently reduce damage from hard training (9,10). There is strong scientific evidence that Osteobolin-C’s ability to mobilize fibroblasts and chondroblasts to an injured area indicates that Osteobolin-C can also accelerate the process of regeneration in these tissues and aid in healing old injuries since these same compounds are precursors to cartilage, tendons, and ligaments, (9,10). One case study involving a 42 year-old bodybuilder with a torn distal bicep tendon reported a reduction in healing time of about 40 % (9,10).

There are still many other extraordinary benefits to taking this amazing product. Osteobolin-C contains several important keto-steroids that, when ingested, exert various pro-anabolic actions. Tetracyclic triterpenoids (steroidal saponins) are probably the most important of these keto-steroids, as they exert a marked anti-catabolic effect, and are responsible for the vast majority of Osteobolin-C-related anti-glucocorticoid actions (1,2,3,4,5). The triterpenoids compete with cortisol for receptor sites, and have been shown to minimize the anti-anabolic actions of cortisol (5). Vitamin C is also important in this process, because it also competes for glucocorticoid sites, thus further reducing the amount of cortisol that can bind to any given receptor (6,7,8). Because Osteobolin-C is so versatile, dosages vary greatly, depending on the desired effect from the compound, and the anabolic dosage is higher than the therapeutic dosage.

In conclusion, Osteobolin-C can be considered a highly effective means of preventative and retroactive treatment of training stress and injuries, through both analgesic and connective-tissue strengthening processes.



Keep in mind the tendon effects are anecdotal, not studies. If you search anabolicminds.com or bodybuilding.com, you'll finds TONS of feedback supporting that.

[vapor]

poison-

Feel free to post the links to the sites cited.

However----buyer beware on any suppliment or product purchased online in the absense of a medical opinion. You are on your own to draw a conclusion as to whether this is something you feel worthwhile.

vapor

[poison]

Thanks, vapor. I'll post studies as I come across em. Here's one on gastric ulcers:

Reactive oxygen species, neutrophil infiltration and proinflammatory cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcers caused by aspirin. The present study demonstrates the healing effect of Cissus quadrangularis extract (CQE) through inhibitory action on generation of lipid peroxidation, proinflammatory cytokines and neutrophil infiltration. The concentration of malondialdehye (MDA), protein carbonyl content, conjugated dienes, mucosal (SH) sulphydryls, uric acid, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO), xanthine oxidase (XO) and antioxidative enzymes were determined in the gastric mucosa. Administration of CQE significantly attenuated the gastric lesions induced by aspirin and this was accompanied by the rise in uric acid, antioxidative enzymes, SH groups, and a significant decrease in lipid peroxidase, TNF-alpha, MPO and XO activities. These findings suggest that the significant gastroprotective activity could be mediated by the antioxidant activity as well as by the attenuation of oxidative mechanism and proinflammatory cytokines.

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Cissus and metabolic syndrome:

Re: Efficacy of a Cissus quadrangularis Formulation in the Treatment of Weight Loss and the Metabolic Syndrome
Oben J, Kuate D, Agbor G, Momo C, Talla X. The use of Cissus quadrongularis formulation in the management of weight loss and metabolic syndrome. Lipids in Health and Disease. 2006;5(24):1-7.

The metabolic syndrome, also commonly known as insulin resistance syndrome, is a disorder that has become common in the United States and worldwide as a result of the increased prevalence of obesity. As of 2003, more than 60% of the adult US population was overweight or obese, and 47 million people had the metabolic syndrome. Globally, this syndrome has become a major public health problem because obesity is associated with high serum triglycerides, low serum HDL cholesterol, and hyperglycemia all of which are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol are additional cardiovascular risk factors. Pharmacotherapeutic options have been used in the treatment of obesity. However, adverse effects have led to the withdrawal of some of these medications from the marketplace. Because of safety concerns and high costs, many populations are seeking natural therapies to aid with weight loss. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a Cissus quadrangularis formulation (CylarisTM; Gateway Health Alliances, Inc., Fairfield, CA) in the management of weight loss and the metabolic syndrome. In addition to a C. quadrangularis extract standardized to contain a minimum of 2.5% phytosterols and of 15% soluble plant fiber, the formulation contained soy (Glycine max) albumin extract, a green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract standardized to 22% epigallocatechin gallate and 40% caffeine, niacin-bound chromium, selenium standardized to 0.5% l-selinomethionin, vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride), vitamin B12 (as cynaocobalamin), and folic acid.

This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted at the Laboratory for Nutrition and Nutritional Biochemistry at the University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon, Africa. Obese men and women (n = 92) aged 19–50 years were randomly assigned to 3 groups: placebo, C. quadrangularis formulation plus no dietary intervention (usual diet), or C. quadrangularis formulation plus dietary intervention (a calorie-controlled diet providing 2100–2200 calories/day) for 8 weeks. Overweight men and women (n = 31) comprised a fourth group, which received C. quadrangularis formulation plus no dietary intervention. The C. quadrangularis formulation was provided as 2 daily doses of 514 mg each, taken with water before breakfast and dinner. Body weight, percentage body fat, waist circumference, and cholesterol, C-reactive protein, glucose, and triglyceride concentrations were measured at baseline and at week 8. A P value <0.05 indicated significance.

Waist circumference decreased significantly by week 8 in all treatment groups. Body weight and body mass index decreased significantly in the 2 obese groups. Over 8 weeks, the placebo group lost 2.3.kg, the overweight group lost 3.7 kg, and the 2 obese groups lost 6.6 and 8.1 kg of body weight. Plasma total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol decreased significantly in the 3 treatment groups, and HDL cholesterol increased significantly in the 2 obese groups. Triglyceride, C-reactive protein, and glucose concentrations also decreased significantly in the 3 treatment groups. Some adverse effects were reported; however, the incidence of all reported side effects was higher in the placebo than in the treatment groups; thus, the authors concluded that the side effects were not associated with C. quadrangularis treatment.

The results help support the authors' hypothesis that the use of a C. quadrangularis formulation is efficacious in the management of weight loss, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and the metabolic syndrome. Treatment with C. quadrangularis for 8 weeks resulted in weight reduction, total cholesterol reduction, LDL cholesterol reduction, and improvements in the symptoms of the metabolic syndrome. The drastic reduction in waist circumference after 8 week of C. quadrangularis use in both the dietary intervention and nondietary intervention groups was a particularly important finding because waist circumference is the major criterion used to diagnose obesity and the metabolic syndrome. The authors suggest that C. quadrangularis "may also have applications in other metabolic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus."

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One of the problems with cissus is that many studies are in Indian, and Pubmed doesn't translate and archive them. Here are some old ones, without the abstract due to language. Maybe someone here can dig em up.

Chopra SS, Patel MR, Awadhiya RP.
Related Articles, Links
No Abstract Studies of Cissus quadrangularis in experimental fracture repair : a histopathological study.
Indian J Med Res. 1976 Sep;64(9):1365-8. No abstract available.
PMID: 1010630 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
48:
Chopra SS, Patel MR, Gupta LP, Datta IC.
Related Articles, Links
No Abstract Studies on Cissus quadrangularis in experimental fracture repair: effect on chemical parameters in blood.
Indian J Med Res. 1975 Jun;63(6):824-8. No abstract available.
PMID: 1213779 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
49:
UDUPA KN, PRASAD G.
Related Articles, Links
No Abstract BIOMECHANICAL AND CALCIUM-45 STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF CISSUS QUADRANGULARIS IN FRACTURE REPAIR.
Indian J Med Res. 1964 May;52:480-7. No abstract available.
PMID: 14175605 [PubMed - OLDMEDLINE]
50:
DAS PK, SANYAL AK.
Related Articles, Links
No Abstract STUDIES ON CISSUS QUADRANGULARIS LINN. I. ACETYLCHOLINE LIKE ACTION OF THE TOTAL EXTRACT.
Indian J Med Res. 1964 Jan;52:63-7. No abstract available.
PMID: 14112165 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
51:
UDUPA KN, PRASAD GC.
Related Articles, Links
No Abstract FURTHER STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF CISSUS QUADRANGULARIS IN ACCELERATING FRACTURE HEALING.
Indian J Med Res. 1964 Jan;52:26-35. No abstract available.
PMID: 14112159 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
52:
PRASAD GC, UDUPA KN.
Related Articles, Links
No Abstract EFFECT OF CISSUS QUADRANGULARIS ON THE HEALING OF CORTISONE TREATED FRACTURES.
Indian J Med Res. 1963 Jul;51:667-76. No abstract available.
PMID: 14073618 [PubMed - OLDMEDLINE]
53:
SINGH LM, UDUPA KN.
Related Articles, Links
No Abstract Studies on "Cissus Quadrangularis" in fracture by using phosphorus 32. III.
Indian J Med Sci. 1962 Nov;16:926-31. No abstract available.
PMID: 13977656 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
54:
UDUPA KN, PRASAD GC.
Related Articles, Links
No Abstract Cissus quadrangularis in healing of fractures. A clinical study.
J Indian Med Assoc. 1962 Jun 1;38:590-3. No abstract available.
PMID: 13923449 [PubMed - OLDMEDLINE]
55:
UDUPA KN, ARNIKAR HJ, SINGH LM.
Related Articles, Links
No Abstract Experimental studies of the use of 'cissus quadrangularis' in healing of fractures. II.
Indian J Med Sci. 1961 Jul;15:551-7. No abstract available.
PMID: 13778943 [PubMed - OLDMEDLINE]


Kind of old, but very new by Ayurvedic standards. :D Anyway, I was reading the 'punches to the chest' thread, and thinking how cissus would benefit that guy a lot.