Can Asthishrunkhala Heal Broken Bones? What Human Studies of Cissus quadrangularis Actually Show

Cissus quadrangularis, a succulent vine widely used in traditional Indian medicine, is commonly known as Asthishrunkhala or Hadjod — names that roughly translate to “bone-setter” or “bone-knitter.” For generations, parts of the plant have been used in traditional preparations associated with fracture recovery and joint health. That history of traditional use is well documented, but traditional use is not the same as proven clinical effect. A growing body of human research has tried to test the plant’s claimed bone-related benefits directly, and the picture that emerges from that research is considerably more cautious than the folklore surrounding it.

A 2025 Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis pooled data from seven randomized controlled trials covering 354 participants. The analysis focused on biochemical markers of bone metabolism, specifically serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase levels, which are commonly used in research as indirect indicators of bone turnover and formation.

Across the pooled data, the meta-analysis found no statistically significant changes in calcium, phosphorus, or alkaline phosphatase levels attributable to Cissus quadrangularis supplementation compared with controls. Just as important, the authors rated the overall certainty of this evidence as very low and flagged concerns about bias across the included trials. In practical terms, this means the available RCT evidence does not currently support a measurable effect on these specific bone biomarkers, and the quality of the underlying studies limits how much confidence can be placed in any conclusion drawn from them, positive or negative.

A 2022 Placebo-Controlled Trial on Bone Mineral Density

A separate and more direct test of bone health came from a 2022 placebo-controlled trial that measured bone mineral density (BMD), a standard clinical metric used to diagnose osteoporosis and track bone strength over time. The trial enrolled 134 participants, of whom 108 completed the full 24-week study period.

At the end of 24 weeks, the trial found no difference in bone mineral density between the group receiving Cissus quadrangularis and the group receiving a placebo.

A 2026 Trial Involving Cissus and Boswellia Together

The most recent entry in this research line is a 2026 open-label trial conducted in patients recovering from distal radius fractures. This study is structurally different from the two above and needs to be read carefully. It had a small sample size of 50 participants, was open-label (meaning both patients and researchers knew who was receiving which treatment, a design that carries a higher risk of bias than blinded trials), and it tested a combination of Cissus quadrangularis and Boswellia serrata, given alongside standard fracture treatment rather than in place of it.

Because the intervention combined two different herbal agents on top of conventional care, this trial cannot isolate what role, if any, Cissus quadrangularis played on its own. Any outcomes reported in this study reflect the combination plus standard treatment as a whole, not the effect of Cissus quadrangularis in isolation. Open-label design and small participant numbers further limit how much weight this single trial can carry compared with blinded, placebo-controlled research.

What This Body of Evidence Adds Up To

Taken together, these three pieces of human research point in a consistent direction: a long tradition of use, paired with modest and so far unconvincing clinical evidence. The 2025 meta-analysis of seven RCTs and the 2022 24-week BMD trial found no significant effect on bone biomarkers or bone density compared with placebo. The 2026 distal radius fracture trial, while conducted in a clinically relevant population, mixed Cissus quadrangularis with another herb and standard care, making it impossible to credit any observed outcome to Cissus quadrangularis specifically.

None of this research supports using Cissus quadrangularis, or any traditional remedy marketed under names like Asthishrunkhala, as a substitute for medical treatment of a broken bone. A suspected fracture requires prompt evaluation by a medical professional, typically involving imaging and a treatment plan appropriate to the injury. Traditional remedies associated with bone healing may be part of long-standing cultural practice, but the clinical trial evidence reviewed here does not establish that Cissus quadrangularis changes bone biochemistry, bone density, or fracture outcomes in humans. Anyone dealing with a fracture or bone health concern should rely on standard medical care and discuss any supplement use with a qualified healthcare provider rather than treating herbal preparations as a replacement for that care.