Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT · ES · DE · FR

← All supplements
Limited evidenceWeight management

Cissus Quadrangularis

Almost all human data on Cissus come from a small cluster of trials testing proprietary multi-ingredient products, so the eye-catching weight-loss numbers cannot be credited to Cissus itself. Its popular use for tendon and joint pain has virtually no trial support.

View on iHerb Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

What the science says

  • Weight and metabolic benefits, but only from combination products Limited evidence

    A systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 RCTs in 1,108 patients found Cissus-containing formulations beat placebo for body weight (-5.19 kg, 95% CI -8.82 to -1.55), LDL (-14.4 mg/dL), triglycerides (-37.5 mg/dL), total cholesterol (-50.5 mg/dL) and fasting glucose (-10.4 mg/dL). The authors emphasized that only combination products were pooled, so the active ingredient is unidentified, and called for higher-quality studies.

  • The main obesity trial is a single-group, proprietary-blend study Limited evidence

    In 123 overweight and obese adults over 8 weeks, a Cissus formulation produced significant net reductions in weight, central obesity, fasting glucose, total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and CRP, with or without calorie restriction. The magnitude exceeds anything achieved by approved anti-obesity supplements, it used a proprietary blend, and it has not been replicated by an independent group.

  • Joint, tendon and bone healing Limited evidence

    The lifter-favorite use for tendon and joint pain rests on rodent fracture-healing studies and traditional use. The meta-analysis graded the bone and fracture evidence as low quality, found no benefit over comparators for hemorrhoid symptoms, and no adequate RCT has tested Cissus for exercise-related joint pain.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseDoses from 300 to 3,200 mg/day of extract have been used. The weight-loss trials used proprietary blends, often around 300 mg of standardized extract twice daily alongside other ingredients, so there is no clean dose-response for Cissus on its own.
SafetyShort-term trials reported no serious adverse effects; mild GI upset, headache, dry mouth, gas and insomnia have been described. Long-term safety is untested. It may lower blood glucose, so monitor if you are diabetic or on glucose-lowering drugs. Commercial Cissus products are frequently combined with stimulants and other fat-burner ingredients that carry their own risks - read the full label. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding for lack of data.

How to take it

TimingTiming does not matter.
With food?With food to limit the mild GI upset and dry mouth people report.
Worth knowingRead the full ingredient panel — most Cissus products on sale are stimulant fat-burner blends, and the stimulants, not the Cissus, carry the real risk.

Interactions

With medications

  • insulin and other glucose-lowering drugs

    Cissus may lower blood glucose additively monitor blood glucose if you are diabetic and starting it

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does Cissus quadrangularis help with weight loss?

The evidence is limited: the weight-loss trials tested proprietary multi-ingredient products, so the results cannot be credited to Cissus quadrangularis itself. The main obesity trial used a proprietary blend and has not been replicated by an independent group.

Does Cissus help joint and tendon pain?

No adequate trial has tested Cissus quadrangularis for exercise-related joint or tendon pain. The popular lifter use rests on rodent fracture-healing studies and traditional use.

Is Cissus quadrangularis safe?

Short-term trials of Cissus quadrangularis reported no serious adverse effects, only mild GI upset, headache, dry mouth, gas and insomnia, but long-term safety is untested. Many Cissus products are stimulant fat-burner blends, and the stimulants carry the real risk, so read the full label.

Scientific references

Where to buy

Double Wood Supplements, Cissus Extract, 150 Capsules (500 mg per Capsule)

View on iHerb

Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

Referral link — this site may earn a commission on purchases.

Related in Weight management