Along with AlbumaSoy, Cissus (CQR-300), a standardized, patented extract of the Cissus quadrangularis plant--is a key ingredient in Soy Labs' CardioTrim line of products.

Cissus quadrangularis causes less amount of tissue reaction in the fractured region leading to optimum decalcification in the early stage with minimum of callus formation. Hence deposition of calcium is just enough to join the two broken segments of bone so that it’s remodeling takes much faster. This early completion of calcification process and earlier remodeling phenomenon lead to early recovery of Cissus treated animals. Cissus is also shown to cause early gain in the tensile strength of fractured bones of about 90 per cent of its normal strength at the end of 6 week.

Cissus quadrangularis builds up the chemical composition of the fractured bone namely its mucopolysaccharides, collagen, calcium, phosphorus and others as well as its functional efficiency.

Mucopolysaccharides are a key component of the foundation of connective tissue. In addition, they provide a matrix upon which collagen, the major structural protein of ligaments and tendons, is built. Mucopolysaccharides also add elasticity and resiliency to skin and other connective tissues.

Mucopolysaccharides also play an important role in the healing by supplying raw materials for repairs. Rapid the utilization of these raw materials earlier will be completion of healing process. Cissus quadrangularis causes greater accumulation of mucopolysaccharides.

Cissus quadrangularis is shown to neutralize the anti-anabolic effect of steroids like cortisone in healing of fractures. Anti-anabolic effects of cortisone include inhibition of tissue regeneration and repair, also retarding formation of the specific skeletal structures. In such conditions even if the cartilage tissue is produced, its maturation and ultimate bone replacement do not take place in the normal pattern. It has main inhibitory action on fibroblasts and mast cells, which produce mucopolysaccharides of connective tissue. There have been reports that continuous intake of corticosteroids induces osteoporosis and pseudo fractures in the bone.

Imbalance in the activities of osteoclasts (cells responsible for bone loss) and osteoblasts (cells responsible for bone formation) may lead to osteoporosis and fractures in postmenopausal women. In osteoporosis, the bones begin to deteriorate due to calcium deficiency as a result of the body's efficiency in maintaining mineral balance in the blood at the expense of bone integrity. During menopause the decrease in hormones affects the body's ability to maintain calcium levels resulting in an increased loss of minerals from the bones. Postmenopausal women are at particular risk to osteoporosis because the loss of estrogen associated with the menopause leads to bone loss of much greater magnitude than one would expect on the basis of age alone. Cissus quadrangularis with significant ability to inhibit anti-anabolic effects and bone fracture healing effects is likely to exert some beneficial effects on recovery of bone mineral density in postmenopausal osteoporosis.