Hadjod (Cissus Quadrangularis): Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More!

Introduction

Cissus quadrangularis, commonly known as ‘Hadjod’ in Hindi, is a fleshy plant belonging to the Vitaceae family¹. It is known by numerous vernacular names depending on the region. In Bangladesh, it is known as Hathisur in Sri Lanka, it is known as Heeressa in West Africa, it is known as Treebine, Zarnazaru, Banddiagra, Oongoonujaara in Thailand, it is known as Khankho, phet sangkhaat, san cha khuat and in India, it is known as Bonesetter, Adamant creeper, Veldt-grape, Hadjod, Hadsanka and Asthisamadhani. Hadjod, also known as Asthisamharaka, is a luscious herb found in India’s warmest regions. It can grow up to 500 meters above sea level in plain coastal areas, forests, and wastelands. Stem cuttings are used to propagate the herb. From June to December, the herb blooms. It is a climbing herb that turns leafless as it ages. It is a shrubby climber that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall. The plant blossoms small greenish-white flowers. The leaves are 2.5-5 cm long, broadly ovate or kidney-shaped leaves. The calyx is cup-shaped, short, and deciduous. There are 4-5 petals on each flower. The fruits are obovoid, very acrid, one-seeded, and dark purple to black. The stem is smooth, branched, glabrous, subangular, and fibrous and found to be buff colored with a greenish tinge. The stems measure 8–10 cm in length and 1–1.5 cm in width². Iridoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, stilbene derivatives, sterols, triterpenes, fatty acids, methyl esters, and other phytochemicals have been found in the hadjod. The presence of five well-known chemicals on leaves was discovered, including Tetratriacotanol, Ecosyl eicosanoate, Tetratriacontanoic acid, α,β-amyrin, β-sitosterol. Polyphenols such as Daidezein, Quercetin, and Genistein were also reported in the leaves¹. 

Nutritional Value of Hadjod

The nutritional content fount in hadjod root powder/100 gm is: 

• Carbohydrates: 68.89 ± 1.16 mg
• Proteins: 7.5 ± 0.17 mg
• Fibres: 5.97 ± 0.10 mg
• Potassium: 67.5 mg
• Calcium: 39.5 mg
• Zinc: 3 mg
• Sodium: 22.5 mg
• Iron: 7.5 mg
• Lead: 3.5 mg
• Cadmium: 39.5 mg
• Copper: 0.5 mg
• Magnesium: 1.15 mg

Uses of Hadjod

• Hadjod stems: It is used to treat various medical conditions. Furthermore, it is one of the most regularly utilized food supplements in southern India². 
• Hadjod leaves: The plant’s young shoots are considered stomachic¹. 
• Hadjod leaves powder: It is used to treat stomach problems¹. 
• Hadjod juice: For the union of fractured bones, it is given both internally and applied externally¹. 
• Hadjod shoot juice: When sprayed into the nostrils, the juice helps with epistaxis (nose bleeding). It is also used as an eardrop for otorrhea and irregular menstruation¹. 
• Hadjod shoot ash powder: The powder shoot ash is taken internally to treat dyspepsia¹. 
• Hadjod root powder: It is used to union bone fractures and is also used to treat constipation and gout¹. 

Hadjod might be your ally in dental problems! Yes, you read it right Recent studies have revealed that the use of Hadjod may help in alleviating dental cavities when they start due to its anti-bacterial nature⁵.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Benefits of Hadjod

1. Benefits of Hadjod for Pain

Traditional Hadjod folklore is that it is used to relieve pain. Animal models that are widely accepted worldwide were used to test its analgesic potential. Hadjod’s effects were shown to be effective even at low doses, indicating that the herb has high potency in simulating central and peripheral pain. The phytosterols β-sitosterol and β-sitosterol glycoside, terpenoids, and phenolic substances such as resveratrol, quercetin, quercitrin, and kaempferol found in hadjod are thought to have analgesic properties².

2. Benefits of Hadjod for Ulcer

The presence of phytochemicals like polyphenols, glycosides, vitamin C, and β-sitosterol in hadjod may contribute to antiulcer potential or accelerate ulcer healing by releasing polyamines and transforming growth factor-α. Hadjod displayed cytoprotection by increasing potassium, hexosamine, bicarbonate, and the carbohydrate, protein ratio while lowering pepsin, proteins, and acid secretion in the stomach².

3. Benefits of Hadjod for Infections

Traditional literature mentions the use of hadjod in treating a variety of bacterial and viral infections. The steroids and flavonoids present in a partially purified extract of the hadjod stem were found to have excellent antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus types I and II². In an antibacterial study, six different extracts of hadjod stem were tested against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. As a result, methanol extract was found to have superior antibacterial activity against S. pyogenes, B. subtilis, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and S. typhi, among other bacteria². The antifungal activity of hadjod extract was determined by comparing it to the standard medication fluconazole. The diameter of the zone of inhibition generated on the surface of Petri dishes was used to determine antifungal activity. The study found that hadjod extract had promising antifungal efficacy against Aspergillus flavus¹. 

4. Benefits of Hadjod for Worm Infections

On the Haemonchus contortus worm, the anthelmintic activity of hadjod extract was investigated. The presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and phenols in the extract may contribute to its anthelmintic effect². 

5. Benefits of Hadjod for Cancer

Hadjod has shown anticancer and antitumor activity in a variety of cancer cell lines, including breast cancer, osteosarcoma, leukaemia, Dalton’s ascitic lymphoma, and Erlich ascitic-induced carcinoma. The extract of hadjod at various doses has been investigated to protect rats from breast cancer. All biochemical and haematological changes caused by 7,12-Dimethylben (a) anthracene were reversed when rats were given hadjod extract². 

6. Benefits of Hadjod for Inflammation

Ear oedema was used to test hadjod’s anti-inflammatory activity in rats. Hadjod can reduce swelling, relieve pain, treat allied illnesses associated with fractures, and aid in healing fractures. The inclusion of Beta-sitosterol and luteolin flavonoids in hadjod is responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties. Hadjod inhibits many inflammatory mediators that increase vascular permeability, support vasodilation, and cause oedema development³. 

7. Benefits of Hadjod for Obesity

In hyperlipidemia models in rats, hadjod extract significantly reduced the total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and atherogenic index while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Hadjod’s antihyperlipidemic properties are thought to be related to phytosterols, including stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, ketosteroid, and flavonoids like kaemferol, quercetin, and daidzein. Phytosterols may lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels or diminish intestinal cholesterol absorption by increasing faecal cholesterol excretion². 

8. Benefits of Hadjod for Fertility

In rats, an extract of hadjod stem restored significant abnormalities caused by lead acetate. The use of hadjod extract on rats increases total sperm count. Antioxidant deficiency harms sperm viability and motility in males. Hadjod’s anti-infertility effect is attributed to its antioxidant enzymes restorative capacity or pregnancy abruption, implantation inhibition, and abortion induction². 

9. Benefits of Hadjod for Diabetes

In diabetic rats, the injection of hadjod extract at various doses considerably lowers blood glucose levels. Furthermore, hadjod extract caused a rise in plasma insulin levels and restored liver antioxidant enzymes and histology in diabetic mice. Improvements in glycemic metabolism and regulation, free radical elimination, cholesterol reduction, insulin secretion, and microcirculation can contribute to hadjod’s antidiabetic action². 

10. Benefits of Hadjod for Haemorrhoids

Hadjod extract’s anti-hemorrhoids activity was tested on an isolated human umbilical vein, which caused contraction of vascular smooth muscles of the vein. Hadjod extract was found to have a vasoconstrictive impact on the intact inner lining of the vein². In clinical research, taking a tablet of hadjod reduced piles symptoms in patients. Flavonoids, which are significant phytochemicals, are thought to help treat haemorrhoidal diseases by reducing localized bleeding, itching, and discomfort, potentially by improving capillary resistance and venous tonicity by lowering capillary permeability². 

11. Benefits of Hadjod for Immunomodulation

Hadjod’s extract significantly increased blood carbon clearance, blood immunoglobulin levels, and a delayed type of hypersensitive response to sheep red blood cells. In another study, hadjod extract nanoparticles corrected immunosuppression in immunosuppressive animals using sheep red blood cells. The findings suggested that hadjod had immunomodulatory properties in both cellular and humoral immunity.

12. Benefits of Hadjod for Arthritis

Hadjod has been shown to have antiarthritic potential in various animal models. Hadjod extract was found to have an antiarthritic effect by reducing bone and cartilage degeneration, excessive paw inflammation, and associated biochemical and haematological changes². 

13. Benefits of Hadjod for Bone Function

Hadjod’s antiosteoporotic potential has been demonstrated in various animal models by several authors. An osteoporotic rat model of ovariectomy, closed fracture by bending the radius-ulna in rats and dogs was used to test the antiarthritic activity of hadjod extract. The work was carried out in vitro using cell lines. Few clinical studies have shown that hadjod, combined with Zingiber officinale, can reduce joint swelling, discomfort, and soreness in osteoporotic and fractured patients. Hadjod’s bone protective activity is thought to be due to its steroidal content, which functions as phytoestrogens to prevent or minimise bone loss and suppress bone reabsorption caused by oestrogen deficiency². 

14. Benefits of Hadjod as an Antioxidant Activity

Various research has already assessed the antioxidant activity of hadjod utilizing different antioxidant assays and procedures. By lowering serum enzyme levels and boosting antioxidant enzyme levels, the antioxidant activity of hadjod extract was examined on liver protective activity². 

I recently read an article that says Hadjod may be used as a diuretic. Hadjod is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties⁶.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

How to Use Hadjod?

• Hadjod tablets² 
• Hadjod capsule²
• Hadjod powder²
• Hadjod drops²

Your Ayurvedic physician will guide you for the appropriate dose and frequency of medication as per your condition. Avoid self-medication.  

Also Read: Kachnar (Bauhinia Variegata): Uses, Benefits, Nutritional Value & More!

Side Effects of Hadjod

Various studies demonstrate that hadjod extracts are safe and free of side effects at commonly used doses. The reported side effects of hadjod extract are lack of appetite, staggering, dyspnoea, and diarrhoea in a limited case⁴. 

Also Read: Akarkara (Pellitory): Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Mukherjee T, Saha N, Palbag S. Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of ayurvedic plant hadjod-Cissus quadrangularis L. Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 2016; 7(4): 78-83. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305356131_ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY_PHYTOCHEMISTRY_AND_PHARMACOLOGY_OF_AYURVEDIC_PLANT_HADJOD_CISSUS_QUADRANGULARIS_L
2. Bafna PS, Patil PH, Maru SK, Mutha RE. Cissus quadrangularis L: A comprehensive multidisciplinary review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2021; 279: 114355. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34181958/
3. Ravi L. A review on Cissus quadrangularis L. as herbal medicine. Ind J Natural Products Resources. 2020; 11(3): 155-164. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360411730_A_review_on_Cissus_quadrangularis_L_as_herbal_medicine
4. A Systemic Review on the Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological and Clinical aspects of Edible stemmed vine, Cissus quadrangularis L. Am J Clin Res Rev; 2020; 4:18. Available from: https://escipub.com/Articles/AJCRR/AJCRR-2020-07-1705.pdf
5. Shingare P. Cissus Quadrangularis–Potential Dental Biomaterial. Saudi J Oral Dent Res. 2021;6(2):97-101. doi:10.36348/sjodr.2021.v06i02.003. Available from: https://saudijournals.com/media/articles/SJODR_62_97-101_FT.pdf
6. Sundaran J, Begum R, Vasanthi M, Kamalapathy M, Bupesh G, Sahoo U. A short review on pharmacological activity of Cissus quadrangularis. Bioinformation. 2020 Aug 31;16(8):579-585. doi: 10.6026/97320630016579. PMID: 33214745; PMCID: PMC7649020. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7649020/

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