Research update of Epimedium Extract.Horny Goat Weed Extract.Icariin.total flavonoids related.

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   Phytochemical info of Epimedium Extract.Horny Goat Weed Extract.:

 Product Name:
 Synonym:
 Definition:Flavonoids from Epimedium Extract.Horny Goat Weed Extract are majorly composed of .
 Chemical information disclosed as following table:


   Horny Goat Weed Research and case study:


  Experimental study on antagonizing action of herba Epimedii on side effects induced by glucocorticoids.:

 The experimental result has shown that the water extract of Herba Epimedii (Epimedium sagittalum) works very well in preventing and curing the side effects induced by long-term use of glucocorticoids in rats, especially in antagonizing adrenocortical atrophy and osteoporosis.
 PMID: 9812684

  The testosterone mimetic properties of icariin.:

 AIM: To evaluate the testosterone mimetic properties of icariin.
 METHODS: Forty-eight healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats at the age of 15 months were randomly divided into four groups with 12 rats each: the control group (C), the model group (M), the icariin group (ICA) and the testosterone group (T). The reproductive system was damaged by cyclophosphamide (intraperitoneal injection, 20 mg/kg x day) for 5 consecutive days for groups M, ICA and T, at the sixth day, ICA (gastric gavage, 200 mg/kg x day) for the ICA group and sterandryl (subcutaneous injection, 5 mg/rat . day) for the T group for 7 consecutive days, respectively. The levels of serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), serum bone Gla-protein (BGP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity in serum (StrACP) were determined. The histological changes of the testis and the penis were observed by microscope with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP-X nick end labeling (TUNEL), respectively. RESULTS: (1) Icariin improved the condition of reproductive organs and increased the circulating levels of testosterone. (2) Icariin treatment also improved the steady-state serum BGP and might have promoted bone formation. At the same time, it decreased the serum levels of StrACP and might have reduced the bone resorption. (3) Icarrin suppressed the extent of apoptosis of penile cavernosal smooth muscle cells.
 CONCLUSION: Icariin has testosterone mimetic properties and has therapeutic potential in the management of hypoandrogenism.
 PMID: 16751992

  Epimedium-derived phytoestrogen exert beneficial effect on preventing steroid-associated osteonecrosis in rabbits with inhibition of both thrombosis and lipid-deposition.:

 Objectives: This study tested the effect of Epimedium-derived phytoestrogen (PE) on preventing steroid-associated osteonecrosis (ON) in rabbit model.
 Methods: Thirty 28-week-old male New-Zealand white rabbits were divided into control group (CON; n=14) and PE group (PE; n=16; 5 mg/kg body weight/day) after receiving an established inductive protocol for inducing steroid-associated ON. Before and after inductive protocol, Dynamic-MRI was employed on bilateral femora for local intra-osseous perfusion, blood samples were examined for coagulation, fibrinolysis and lipid-transportation, and marrow samples were quantified for adipogenesis-gene mRNA expression. Six weeks later, bilateral femora were dissected for Micro-CT-based micro-angiography, and then ON lesion, intravascular thrombosis and extravascular fat-cell-size were examined histopathologically. RESULTS: The incidence of ON in the PE group (31%) was significantly lower than that in the CON group (93%). Compared to the CON group, local intra-osseous perfusion was maintained in the PE group. Blocked trunk vessels were seldom found in micro-angiography of the PE-treated rabbits. Thrombosis incidence and fat-cell-size were both significantly lower in the PE group than those in the CON group. During the early period after induction, indicator of coagulation, fibrinolysis, lipid-transportation and adipogenesis-gene expression were found with significantly changing pattern in the PE group compared to the CON group. CONCLUSION: PE was able to exert beneficial effect on preventing steroid-associated ON in rabbits with inhibition of both thrombosis and lipid deposition.
 PMID: 17188589

  Identification of Epimedium Koreanum Nakai by Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy.:

 The herbal plant Epimedium Koreanum Nakai is a native herb growing in the Changbai Mountain region, Jilin province of China, and is used as a tonic, anti-rheumatic and aphrodisiac in traditional Chinese medicine. The analytical method existing for the identification of Epimedium Koreanum Nakai is time-consuming, and can not be used for fast, in situ and nondestructive analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to identify wilding and planting Epimedium Koreanum Nakai. The spectra of 18 samples were analyzed. They show some differences in the intensity and the shape of absorption peaks in the range of 1,800-1,200 cm(-1). The absorption intensity of the spectra changed regularly with the producing area. So FTIR spectra could be used for the identification of Epimedium koreanum Nakai.
 PMID: 16836121


  Structure identification of a prenylflavonol glycoside from Epimedium koreanum by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.:

 A novel prenylflavonol glycoside, named acetylicariin, has been isolated from the aerial parts of Epimedium koreanum Nakai. The structure has been identified by electrospray ionization multi-stage tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn) and other chemical evidence, which has been elucidated as 8-prenylkaempferol-4'-methoxyl-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-7-O-beta-D-(2"-O-acetyl)glucopyranoside.
 PMID: 16733321

  Effect of Herba Epimedii flavone on the osteoblasts metabolism in vitro.:

 OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Herba Epimedii flavone (HEF) on the osteoblast metabolism in vitro. METHOD: Osteoblast were obtained from new born rat calvaria by digestive enzymes. MTF, PNPP and RT-PCR were used to observe the proliferation, activity of ALP and mRNA expression of OPG and RANKL of cultured osteoblasts in vitro. RESULT: It was found that HEF had the effect on stimulating cell proliferation, activity of ALP and the mRNA expression of OPG of cultured osteoblasts (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HEF can promote the proliferation, the differentiation and the expression of OPG mRNA of the osteoblasts cultured in vitro.
 PMID: 16722381

  Effect of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim extract on elicitation of penile erection in the rat.:

 OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect and mechanism of a Chinese medicine (Epimedium brevicornum Maxim [EbM]) on elicitation of penile erection in the rat.
 METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The penile intracavernous pressure (ICP) was monitored. Intracavernous administration of different doses (30, 100, 300, 1000, 3000, 6500, and 10,000 microg/0.1 mL) of EbM extract and saline 0.1 mL was done. Intracavernous NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (120 microg) was administered, followed by EbM extract 300 microg 10 minutes later. EbM extract (20, 10, and 10 microg) was stereotaxically delivered into the intracerebral ventricle, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and hippocampus, respectively.
 RESULTS: After intracavernous administration of 30 or 100 microg EbM extract, no significant change in ICP was noted. All other doses (300 to 10,000 microg) of EbM extract elicited a significant increase in ICP, with the greatest peak at 99.7 +/- 0.3 mm Hg (resting 7.8 +/- 1.0 mm Hg) after application of 6500 microg EbM extract. No change in ICP occurred with administration of L-NAME followed by EbM extract. Furthermore, intracavernous saline or administration of EbM extract into the intracerebral ventricle, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, or hippocampus was ineffective in inducing a significant change in ICP. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that intracavernous administration of EbM extract may elicit penile erection in the rat. Nitric oxide may be involved in this penile erection-inducing effect. No central neural effect of EbM extract may exist in the elicitation of penile erection.
 

  Epimedium brevicornum Maxim extract relaxes rabbit corpus cavernosum through multitargets on nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate signaling pathway.:

 Epimedium brevicornum Maxim (EbM) has been reputed to have sexual stimulation effects on males. The study is aimed to test the hypothesis that EbM extracts relaxed the corpus cavernosum (CC) smooth muscle through activation of multitargets on nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway. Water extract of EbM and its subfraction (EP-20) were prepared and standardized by high-performance liquid chromatography. Isolated rabbit CC strips were mounted in organ baths and isometric tension was recorded in the presence or absence of specific inhibitors related to NO/cGMP signaling such as L-N(G)-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor) or phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE 5) inhibitors. cGMP level was determined in EP-20-treated CC strips. The results showed that EP-20 enriched the content of L-arginine in the process of purification and relaxed the CC smooth muscle precontracted with phenylephrine (PE, 1 microM) in a concentration-dependent manner. Besides, EP-20 increased the amount of cGMP production in rabbit CC tissues. Coincubation with EP-20 and L-NAME or ODQ significantly decreased EP-20-induced relaxation whereas EP-20 increased sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation in PE-precontracted CC strips. Besides, EP-20 increased the potency and the duration of the relaxation effects caused by electrical field stimulation. Finally, EP-20 could potentiate PDE 5 inhibitors in relaxation of PE-precontracted CC strips. We concluded that extract of EbM relax the CC smooth muscle through multitargets in NO/cGMP/PDE 5 pathway and might bring into perspective the treatment strategy for those patients with erectile dysfunction.
 


  Antidepressant-like effect of icariin and its possible mechanism in mice.Pan Y, Kong L, Xia X, Zhang W, Xia Z, Jiang F.:

 The behavioral, neurochemical and neuroendocrine effects of icariin isolated from Epimedium brevicornum were investigated in behavioral despair models of KunMing strain of male mice. Icariin was found to significantly shorten immobility time in the forced swimming test (FST) after orally administration for 21 consecutive days. Icarrin also produced a marked reduction in immobility time in the tail suspension test (TST) when administered for at least 7 consecutive days. The preferable antidepressant action by icariin was obtained at 17.5 and 35 mg/kg in the present study. Moreover, it was observed that the stress of FST exposure induced increases in brain monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B activities, serum corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) levels, as well as decreases in brain monoamine neurotransmitter levels. Treatment of icariin for 21 consecutive days mainly reversed the above effects in the mouse FST. These results suggested that icarrin possessed potent antidepressant-like properties that were mediated via neurochemical and neuroendocrine systems.
 PMID: 16380159

  Study on extraction total flavonoids in Epimedium koreanum using high pressure technology.:

 OBJECTIVE: To provide a modern method for extraction and separation total flavonoids in Epimedium koreanum. METHOD: Using high pressure technology extracts total flavonoids in E. koreanum, and comparing with counter-current extraction with reflux. The total flavonoids contents is determined by UV-VIS. RESULT: The extraction efficiency is 9.67% and taking 5 min by high pressure method, using reflux, is 6.14% and 4 h respectively. CONCLUSION: The method of high pressure is high efficiency and saving time, which have extensive application in the extraction of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
 PMID: 16335820

  Effects on secretory function of rat gonad by Erxian decoction and its disassembled prescriptions.:

 OBJECTIVE: To explain functions, differences and coordination of three divided combinations of the "Erxian decoction", the famous traditional Chinese formula, on the effective sites of gonad gland at the cell level.
 METHOD: The effects of Erxian decoction and its main disassembled prescriptions, "Kidney Warming", "Yin Nourishing" and "Chong-ren Adjusting", on the level of testosterone (T) progesterone (P) estradiol (E2), respectively secreted by the primary culture Leydig cell, luteal cell and granulosa cell, were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULT: (1) Erxian decoction could stimulate the T secretion while its three main disassembled prescriptions would seem no individual promoting effect on the secretion of T. (2) Erxian decoction and the "Kidney Warming" had the stimulating effect on P secretion, and the action of the whole formula being better than that of the "Kidney Warming". (3) Erxian decoction and its main disassembled prescriptions had the stimulating effect on E2 secretion, especially the whole formula.
 CONCLUSION: Erxian decoction can stimulate the secretion of T of the Leydig cell, P of luteal cell and E2 of granulosa cell. It can be seen that the effect of the whole formula is better than that of its main disassembled prescriptions.
 PMID: 16161435

  Study on water extraction process of Herba epimedii with microwave technology.:

 OBJECTIVE: To study, the high polar media-water extraction process of Herba epimedii with the microwave technology. METHOD: The single parameters of extraction process was investigated with dry extract yield and extraction efficiency of icariin as content index. RESULT: Through studying the single parameter, the optimal conditions are as follows: 70% ethanol as wetting solvent, volume of solvent to weight of material equal to 6:1 in wetting, 30 min wetting time, 2.5 min microwave irradiation time, volume of solvent to weight of material equal to 50:1 in extraction process, 10 min microwave-assisted extraction time. CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional methods, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) after Microwave Pretreament (MP) of raw material was higher extraction efficiency and time-saving.
 PMID: 15714811


  Estrogenic activity of a polyphenolic extract of the leaves of Epimedium brevicornum.:

 The estrogenic activity of a polyphenolic extract of the leaves of Epimedium brevicornum and five fractions obtained by solid-phase extraction were investigated using estrogen-responsive bioassays, a yeast cell assay and the Ishikawa Var-I assay. The extract was found to exhibit significant estrogenic activity in both assays. Furthermore, bioassay-guided fractionation led to localisation of the estrogenicity in the relatively non-polar fractions of the polyphenolic extract.
 PMID: 15664460

  Determination of epimedin C and icariin in Herba Epimedii by HPLC.:

 OBJECTIVE: To establish a RP-HPLC method for the determination of epimedin C and icariin in Herba Epimedii. METHOD: Chromatographic conditions: Hypersil BDS-C18 column, acetonitrice and water containing 0.05% phosphoric acid as gradient eluents, G1315A photodiode array detector at 272 nm.
 RESULT: The average recovery rate of epimedin C was 99.7%, RSD 1.5% (n = 9), icariin 102.5%, RSD 1.1% (n=9). CONCLUSION: The method is reliable, stable and well repeatable. It provides the useful information for quality evaluation.
 PMID: 15615406

  Comment on main species of herba epimedii.:

 OBJECTIVE: To comment on main resource species of Herba Epimedii.
 METHOD: Taxonomy, resource investigation and quality evaluation of flavonoid contents were made. RESULT: 7 species of Herba Epimedii having broad distribution were summarized. According the area of their distribution, they were named Epimedium sagittatum, E. brevicornu, E. acuminatum, E. koreanum, E. pubescens, E. leptorrhizum and E. wushanense. Each distribution in detail and icariin and likewise compounds contents of these 7 species were provided. Other 8 Epimedium species much used were proposed. Medicinal characters 15 species were provided in this paper.
 CONCLUTION: On the basis of distribution character, resource quantity and growing with other species mingled, it is suggested that 4 main production or purchasing districts in China be divided. The most important district is northeastern district, where only E. koreanum grows there, with the best guality. Northwestern and northern district is the second one, where E. brevicornu, mainly grows with much stable guality. Then it is eastern and southern district, where E. sagittatum grows with the largest quantity but unstable quality. Southwestern district is the last one, mingle species complex and identification important. In Sichuan province, E. acuminatum and E. pubescens are main species, with other 12 species growing there. In Guizhou province, E. acuminatum, E. leptorrhizum and E. wushanense are main species, other 7 species growing there and E. leptorrhizum with poor quality. It is suggested that E. acuminatum be recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
 PMID: 15139134

  The influence of the different components of nourishing kidney herbs on osteoporosis rats:

 OBJECTIVE: To observe the influent of the different components of nourishing kidney herbs on the main items of bone metabolism in osteoporosis rats induced with Dexamethasona(DXM).
 METHOD: Models of three-month old SD female rats with osteoporosis here made by being fed with low calcium diet (containing calcium 0.2%) and distilled water, and injected with DXM 0.1 mg/100 g weight intramuscularly, twice a week. Then the osteoporosis rats were treated with different components of nourishing kidney herbs, and the change of calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase(ALP), calcitonin(CT), PTH, CT/PTH, estrogen(E2), testosterone(T), T/E2 and bone section and bone quantitative morphology in these osteoporosis rats were observed.
 RESULT: The total components of nourishing kidney herbs could improve the general condition of osteoporosis rats, decrease PTH, increase CT, estrogen, testosterone, CT/PTH and T/E2. The total components of nourishing kidney herbs could improve osteoporotic state, promote bone formation, and inhibite bone resorption. But no effect of the A, B, C, D components of nourishing kidney herbs on the main items of bone metabolism in osteoporosis rats induced with DXM was found. CONCLUSION: It is possible that the purification and separation of these herbs weaken or destroy the integrative effect of nourishing kidney herbs or destroy effective components of nourishing kidney herbs during the process of purification and separation.
 PMID: 15015317


  Effect of wolfberry fruit and epimedium on DNA synthesis of the aging-youth 2BS fusion cells.:

 OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of water extracts of Wolfberry fruit (WB) and Epimedium (EM) on DNA synthesis of the aging-youth 2BS fusion cells.
 METHODS: Human embryonic lung diploid fibroblasts 2BS national standard strain, were used as an aging model. Cell denucleation and cell fusion techniques were applied to observe the effect of WB and EM on DNA synthesis of 2BS fusion cells.
 RESULTS: In the 0.025 (V/V) WB or EM water extract containing media, 2BS cells could be continuously cultured for 61.0 +/- 2.9 passages and 56.0 +/- 2.6 passages respectively, while in the control group it was only 49.0 +/- 2.6 passages (P < 0.01). After treatment with WB and EM separately for 2 hrs, the aging 2BS cells were denucleated and fused with young 2BS cells. The [3H]TdR incorporation percentage in these treated cells was significantly higher than that in the untreated control cells (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Both WB and EM can accelerate the DNA synthesis rate of the aging youth 2BS fusion cells and prolong the life span of 2BS cells.
 PMID: 14714367

  Effects of epimedium total flavonoids phytosomes on preventing and treating bone-loss of ovariectomized rats.:

 OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Epimedium total Flavonoids Phytosomes on preventing and treating bone-loss of the castrate osteoporosis rat model.
 METHOD: The osteoporosis model was established with 4-month-odl panther's rats, their ovaries on both sides castrated. Dual energy X-ray scanning was used to determine the bone density, and immunity and ELASA were used to assay concentration of estradiol and IL-6 in serum respectively, then determine their effect. RESULT: The BMP and E2 of high dosage group nilestriol group and normal group are higher than those of model group (P < 0.01), while their content of IL-6 is apparently lower than that of model group(P < 0.01).
 CONCLUSION: The osteoporosis model was established successfully and the using of EFP can improve the bone density, enhance E2 level and decrease the IL-6 concentration in serum.
 PMID: 12774407

  Purification of icariin from the extract of Epimedium segittatum using high-speed counter-current chromatography.:

 Icariin was purified from the extract of Epimedium segittatum by high-speed counter-current chromatography with a two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane-n-butanol-methanol-water (1:4:2:6, v/v). We used two multilayer coil planet centrifuges with different capacities. A 300 mg amount of the extract was separated using a semipreparative instrument equipped with a 230-ml capacity column to yield 103 mg of icariin at 86.2% purity. An 8 g amount of the extract was separated with a large preparative instrument equipped with a 2460-ml capacity column to produce 2.45 g of icariin at 85.7% purity. From these fractions over 98% pure icariin was obtained by recrystallization with water.
 PMID: 12198968

  Chemical constituents from the aerial part of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim.:

 Six flavonoids were isolated from the aerial part of Epimedium brevicornum and identified as baohuo side I, 2"' O-rhamnosyl icariside II, sagittatoside B, baohuoside II, ikarisoside F and ikarisoside C by means of UV, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and FAB-MS spectral analysis, they were isolated from this plant for the first time.
 PMID: 9388935


  Effect of improving memory and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity by invigorating-qi and warming-yang recipe.:

 Invigorating-Qi and Warming-Yang (IQWY) had a good curative effect to some senile diseases such as senile dementia, senile hypomnesia etc. This experiment was designed for probing into the therapeutical mechanism of IQWY recipe. BALB/C pure bred mice were divided into five groups. Group I was taken per os of invigorating Qi (IQ), Group II warming Yang (WY), Group III IQWY drugs, Group IV was dysmnesia model, and Group V blank control group injected with normal saline only. All groups except Group V were injected scopolamine (5mg/kg) intraperitoneally to induce dysmnesia model after medication. IQ drug consisted of Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, Poria cocos, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, WY drug of Cynomorium songoricum, Epimedium brevicornum and Cuscuta chinensis, while IQWY recipe consisted of both IQ and WY drugs. The results showed that IQ, WY and IQWY had an evident antagonistic action to Scopolamine induced dysmnesia mice, and could improve their memory. The erroneous times of the animal's reaction in Group I, II and III were less than those in Group IV, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity in the mice could be inhibited by IQ, WY and IQWY also. The activity in Group I, II and III was less than that in Group IV and V, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. The therapeutic mechanism of IQWY was in connection with its effect to M-cholinergic transmitters of central nervous system.
 PMID: 8155947

  Effects of icariin on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis action and cytokine levels in stressed Sprague-Dawley rats.:

 Icariin is one of the major active flavonoids constituents of Epimedium brevicornum MAXIM (Berberidaceae). Icariin and E. brevicornum have a wide range of pharmacological activities. Abnormality in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is considered to be a key neurobilogical factor in major depression, and cytokines have a close relationship with the activation of the HPA axis. In the present study, the aim was to determine whether icariin possesses an antidepressant-like activity, and to explore the effects of icariin on the HPA axis and cytokine levels in chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression in Sprague-Dawley rats. Icariin significantly increased the sucrose intake of CMS-treated rats from week 3. It not only attenuated the CMS-induced increases in serum corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and cortisol levels, but also reversed the abnormal levels of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor-necrosis-factor alpha (TNF-alpha) to the normal in the stressed rats. These results suggested that icariin possessed an antidepressant-like property that was at least in part mediated by neuroendocrine and immune systems.
 PMID: 17142971

  Effect of icariin on cyclic GMP levels and on the mRNA expression of cGMP-binding cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE5) in penile cavernosum.:

 To further investigate the mechanisms of action of icariin (ICA), we assessed the effects of ICA on the in vitro formation of cGMP and cAMP in isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum. Isolated segments of rabbit corpus cavernosum were exposed to increasing concentrations of ICA and the dose-dependent accumulation of cGMP and cAMP was determined in the tissues samples by means of 125I radioimmunoassay. Responses of the isolated tissues preparations to ICA were compared with those obtained with the reference compounds sildenafil (Sild). Furthermore, the effects of ICA on the mRNA expression of specific cGMP-binding phosphodiesterase type V (PDE5) in rat penis were also observed. After incubation with ICA for 6 h or 14 h respectively, the levels of PDE5 mRNA were examined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that ICA increased cGMP concentrations directly (P < 0.05), but there was no significant effect on cAMP concentrations (P > 0.05). In the presence of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a stimulatory agent of cGMP, both ICA and Sild increased cGMP concentrations with increasing dose (P < 0.01). Their EC50 was 4.62 (ICA) and 0.42 (Sild) micromol/L respectively. Under the same condition, ICA and Sild unaltered cAMP level significantly (P > 0.05). There were PDE5A1 and PDE5A2 mRNA expressions in rat corpus cavernosum with PDE5A2 being the dominant isoform. ICA could obviously inhibit these two isoforms mRNA expression in rat penis, and decrease PDE5A1 more pronouncedly (P < 0.01). The present study indicated that the aphrodisiac mechanisms of icariin involved the NO-cGMP signal transduction pathway, with increasing cGMP levels in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. The inhibitory effect of icariin on PDE5 mRNA expression, especially on PDE5A1, might account for its molecular mechanisms for its long-term activity.
 PMID: 17120748


  Scientific References:

  1.Bencao Gangmu (by Li Shizhen; 1596)
  2.Narrative History and Mythology of Icariin,Chapter3,Lover and Imagination of Inter-subjectivity.
  3.What is icariin or Horny Goat Weed Extract?Does Horny Goat Weed and Icariin Work for Erection?How does icariin mime testosterone?
  4.Spectrology or Spectrum analysis of Things under name of Epimedium Extract.Horny Goat Weed Extract.Icariin.
  5.Research update of Epimedium Extract.Horny Goat Weed Extract.Icariin.total flavonoids related.