Icariin Explained

Icariin should not be confused with Icaridin.

Icariin is a chemical compound classified as a prenylated flavonol glycoside, a type of flavonoid. It is the 8-prenyl derivative of kaempferol 3,7-O-diglucoside. The compound has been isolated from several species of plant belonging to the genus Epimedium which are commonly known as horny goat weed, Yin Yang Huo,^[1] and Herba epimedii.^[2] Extracts from these plants produce aphrodisiac effects, and are used in traditional Chinese medicine to enhance erectile function.^[3] However, clinical trial data are lacking to support these claims.^{[4] [5]}

Notes and References

1. Liu JJ, Li SP, Wang YT . Optimization for quantitative determination of four flavonoids in Epimedium by capillary zone electrophoresis coupled with diode array detection using central composite design . . 1103 . 2 . 344–349 . 2006 . 16337210 . 10.1016/j.chroma.2005.11.036 .
2. Cai WJ, Huang JH, Zhang SQ, Wu B, Kapahi P, Zhang XM, Shen ZY. Icariin and its derivative icariside II extend healthspan via insulin/IGF-1 pathway in C. elegans . PLOS ONE . 6 . 12 . 2011 . e28835 . 22216122 . 3244416 . free . 10.1371/journal.pone.0028835 . Blagosklonny MV . 2011PLoSO...628835C .
3. Makarova MN, Pozharitskaya ON, Shikov AN, Tesakova SV, Makarov VG, Tikhonov VP . Effect of lipid-based suspension of Epimedium koreanum Nakai extract on sexual behavior in rats . . 114 . 3 . 412–416 . 2007 . 17890032 . 10.1016/j.jep.2007.08.021 .
4. Web site: Horny Goat Weed. August 5, 2019. November 7, 2019. Drugs.com.
5. Fang . Jian . Zhang . Yongjun . 2017-10-12 . Icariin, an Anti-atherosclerotic Drug from Chinese Medicinal Herb Horny Goat Weed . Frontiers in Pharmacology . 8 . 734 . 10.3389/fphar.2017.00734 . free . 1663-9812 . 5644024 . 29075193.