Cissus quadrangularis plant extract enhances the development of cortical bone and trabeculae in the fetal femur

Traditional recipes for treatment of physical and mental ailments exist in all major ancient civilizations of the world. One such recipe popular in the Indian subcontinent involves the use of the extract of Cissus quadrangularis plant. Cissus quadrangularis is a shrub, with thick and fleshy quadrangular stem. The roots and stem are most useful for healing of fracture of the bones. The question whether the plant Cissus quadrangularis, which is proved to contain phyto-estrogens will increase the bone mass during fetal growth is not addressed. Accordingly the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of alcoholic extract of Cissus quadrangularis on the intrauterine growth of trabeculae in the long bones in rats. Pregnant rats were administered with Ethanol extract of Cissus quadrangularis (CQ), orally, at the dose of 750, mg/kg body weight from 9th day of gestation till delivery. Femur bone of the newborn pups were collected, decalcified and processed for paraffin sectioning. Thickness of cortical bone at mid shaft level, thickness of individual trabeculae were measured using a calibrated ocular micrometer. Results showed a significantly increase in thickness of the cortical bone at mid shaft level compared to control rats. The thickness of individual trabecula was increased significantly. The present study demonstrates enhanced bone formation during fetal growth by CQ, which may be related to rich content of calcium, phosphorus and phytoestrogenic property of the plant.