Icariin : by Ray Sahelian, M.D., icariin for erectile function

Icariin by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Health benefits of icariin extract from horny goat weed herb

Icariin, a flavonol glycoside, is an interesting substance found in certain herbs, particularly horny goat weed. known as the botanical name epimedium. Icariin has been studied as a substance that dilates blood vessels and can potentially be helpful in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
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Horny Goat Weed with icariin, 400 mg, 90 Capsules - formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Horny goat weed is one of the most valued tonics of Chinese herbalism. In China it is especially used for supporting healthy sexual activity - thus its name, Horny Goat Weed. Horny Goat Weed 400 mg has epimedium extract (standardized to 10% flavonoids as icariin).

Each Horny Goat Weed pill contains:
Epimedium Sagittatum - 400 mg Standardized Leaf Extract (10% flavonoids as icariin)

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Icariin and erections
Icariin appears to have some properties similar to Viagra. Icariin is a cGMP-specific PDE5 inhibitor that may have potential in treating erectile dysfunction.

Effects of icariin on intracavernosal pressure and systematic arterial blood pressure of rat
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2004 Jan;84(2):142-5.
We tested the effect of icariin on erectile function of the penis. Icariin, sidenafil and papaverine increased the intracavernous pressure in a dose-depended manner. Icariin increases intracavernous pressure.

Effects of icariin on cGMP-specific PDE5 and cAMP-specific PDE4 activities.
Asian J Androl. 2003 Mar;5(1):15-8.
We evaluated the therapeutic action of icariin on erectile dysfunction. PDE5 was isolated from human platelet and PDE4 from the rat liver tissue. The inhibitory effects of icariin on PDE5 and PDE4 activities were investigated. Papaverine served as the control drug. Icariin and papaverine showed dose-dependent inhibitory effects on PDE5 and PDE4 activities. Icariin is a cGMP-specific PDE5 inhibitor that may be developed into an oral effective agent for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

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Icariin side effects
Icariin side effects have not been mentioned in the medical literature. Since icariin is not sold by itself as a supplement, we have not tested it ourselves to see if it has side effects. At present you can only find icariin as part of a horny goat weed herbal supplement. As such, the horny goat weed supplement will have many other substances within it, therefore it would be difficult to determine what role icariin would have in the horny goat weed side effect profile. Side effects of high dose horny goat weed herb include rapid heart beat and insomnia.

Icariin extracts
Epimedium is sold in various extract potencies, including various percentages of icariin and epimediosides. for instance you can find epimedium sagitattum sold by herb and ingredient suppliers as 5 percent icariin, 10 percent icariin, 20 percent icariin, 30 percent icariin, 60 percent icariin and even 90 percent icariin. Hardly any human research has been done on these various extract concentrations to determine which are the best options for use as sexual enhancers.

Icariin research as anti cancer agent
In laboratory studies, icariin appears to have anti-cancer abilities. Icariin also helps protect the liver from toxicity.

Experimental studies of icariin on anticancer mechanism
Zhong Yao Cai. 2000 Sep;23(9):554-6.
Icariin is a biological response modifier and differentiational agent. In order to further elucidate the reversion of malignant phenotypes of tumor cells and the mechanism of its action, highly metastatic human lung cancer cells (PG) were treated with Icariin in vitro. The results showed that icariin could influence the distribution of PG cells cycle and reduce S phase. Moreover, Icariin increased the level of cAMP in PG cells, reduced the level of cGMP and increased the cAMP/cGMP ratio. These data demonstrate that Icariin maybe a type of effective anticancer drug.

some people misspell icariin as icarrin or icarin

This icariin page was last updated in January 2008.