Cissus Quadrangularis Clinical Evidence
Lipids in Health and Disease
Topic:
How do Cissus quadrangularis(CQ) and a proprietary form of the plant perform when used for weight loss and improvement of cardiovascular health markers?
Background:
Obesity is associated with dysfunction in lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. Can CQ, a member of the grape family native to India and Sri Lanka, improve these markers?
Study Type:
Human clinical intervention trial
Study Design:
Double-blind, placebo-controlled. Researchers tested the antioxidant capacity of each substance in vitro in the first phase of the study. Next, subjects took CQ-300, CORE, or a placebo and researchers measured their body weight, body fat, lipids, and fasting blood sugar levels.
Dosage:
300 mg (CQ-300) or 1,028 mg (CORE)/day in 2 doses
Subjects:
168 overweight and obese subjects, ages 19–54, 153 completed
Results:
Both forms of CQ resulted in significant reductions in weight, body fat, total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and fasting blood sugar levels. At the same time, there were significant increases in HDL cholesterol, plasma 5-HT (serotonin), and creatine (a naturally occurring acid in the body that helps supply energy to cells).
Conclusions:
“CQR-300 (300 mg daily) and CORE (1,028 mg daily) brought about significant reductions in weight and blood glucose levels, while decreasing serum lipids, thus improving cardiovascular risk factors. The increase in plasma 5-HT and creatine for both groups hypothesizes a mechanism of controlling appetite and promoting the increase of lean muscle mass by Cissus quadrangularis, thereby supporting the clinical data for weight loss and improving cardiovascular health.”