A comprehensive review on Cissus L. species (family Vitaceae)

Medicinal plants, specifically, have attracted considerable attention because of their widespread use and relatively limited occurrence of adverse effects. Cissus L. (family Vitaceae) consists of 13 genera and over 800 species, all of which are found in tropical regions with some also growing in the temperate zone. The Cissus species mainly climbing plants with tendrils and shrubs, and they have considerable medicinal importance. Our objective was to examine Cissus species to present an outline of the current understanding of their chemical components. The plants contain a variety of beneficial compounds such as flavonoids, vitamins, triterpenoids, saponins, stilbenes, iridoids, steroids, glycosides, and alkaloids. Overall, Cissus species represent a promising group of herbal medicines with significant health benefits, meriting further scientific exploration to translate traditional knowledge into modern medical applications.