Clinical evaluation of Cissus quadrangularis as osteogenic agent in maxillofacial fracture: A pilot study

INTRODUCTION: Cissus quadrangularis Linn. is an indigenous medicinal plant, grown in India, which helps to increase healing process of fractured bone. Fracture of maxillofacial skeletal takes reasonably long time to heal. Many attempts have been made till today to reduce the healing period of 6–8 weeks, by means of improved surgical technology or by inhibiting the physiological mechanism of bone healing. AIM: To evaluate the effect of C. quadrangularis in healing process of maxillofacial fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the patients were treated by open reduction internal fixation method and in postoperative management, antibiotics, and analgesics. Patients were divided into two groups. In Group 1, one capsule of C. quadrangularis (500 mg) thrice a day for 6 weeks was administered (n = 5), and in Group 2 (control group), no supplementary medication was administered (n = 4). Pain, swelling, fragment mobility, serum calcium, and serum phosphorus were evaluated pre- and post-operatively on day-1, -21, and -45. RESULTS: Pain, swelling, and fragment mobility were low in Group 1 compared to Group 2. Serum calcium and serum phosphorus were also high, and healing of bone was clearly seen in Group 1 on day 21 as compared to control group. CONCLUSION: C. quadrangularis helps in reducing pain, swelling, and fracture mobility and accelerate the healing of fracture jaw bones.