Research

Icariin (Horny Goat Weed)

12 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.

3
Meta-analyses
1
Systematic reviews
3
RCTs
5
Other studies
Meta-analyses (25%)
Systematic reviews (8%)
RCTs (25%)

Studies

Sorted by quality and recency

2026·European journal of pharmacology·Jingdong Cui, Rui Huang, Xiaoyu Dong

Efficacy and mechanisms of Icariin in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of a preclinical study.

Meta-analysisBrain Health

Systematic review and meta-analysis of 31 preclinical studies on icariin's effects in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. Icariin significantly improved cognitive dysfunction through mechanisms like resistance to neurotoxic substances, inhibition of oxidative stress, and promotion of nerve regeneration. 68 mg/kg was identified as the most effective dose for improving cognition.

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2021·Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology·Eu-Leong Yong, Wei Fun Cheong, Zhongwei Huang, et al

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to examine the safety, pharmacokinetics and effects of Epimedium prenylflavonoids, on bone specific alkaline phosphatase and the osteoclast adaptor protein TRAF6 in post-menopausal women.

RCTn = 58Joint Bone Health

RCT of 58 postmenopausal women examining the safety and pharmacokinetics of Epimedium prenylflavonoids. The study found that EP prenylflavonoids were safe and associated with higher levels of bone specific alkaline phosphatase, suggesting potential therapeutic value for post-menopausal osteoporosis.

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2017·Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)·Yu Liu, Haojiang Zuo, Xuewei Liu, et al

The antiosteoporosis effect of icariin in ovariectomized rats: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Meta-analysisJoint Bone Health

Systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the efficacy of icariin against osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. Results showed that icariin-treated rats had significantly higher bone mineral density and improved bone histomorphometric parameters compared to controls, suggesting a substantial antiosteoporosis effect.

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2016·Menopause (New York, N.Y.)·Jin-Hai Xu, Min Yao, Jie Ye, et al

Bone mass improved effect of icariin for postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomy-induced rats: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Meta-analysisn = 169Joint Bone Health

Meta-analysis and systematic review of icariin's effect on bone mass in ovariectomy-induced rat models of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Icariin significantly improved bone mass as assessed by bone mineral density compared to control, with no significant difference compared to estrogen.

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2013·Die Pharmazie·Yuan-Kun Zhai, Xin Guo, Ya-Lei Pan, et al

A systematic review of the efficacy and pharmacological profile of Herba Epimedii in osteoporosis therapy.

Systematic reviewJoint Bone Health

Systematic review assessing the efficacy and pharmacological profiles of Herba Epimedii in osteoporosis therapy. The review highlights the bone-strengthening activity of Herba Epimedii and its active compounds, such as total flavonoids and icariin, and summarizes studies on their osteoprotective effects.

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2007·Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research·Ge Zhang, Ling Qin, Yinyu Shi

Epimedium-derived phytoestrogen flavonoids exert beneficial effect on preventing bone loss in late postmenopausal women: a 24-month randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial.

RCTn = 100Joint Bone Health

A 24-month randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effect of Epimedium-derived phytoestrogen flavonoids on bone mineral density (BMD) in late postmenopausal women. The EPF treatment group maintained BMD, while the placebo group showed a decrease. EPF intervention significantly decreased levels of deoxypyridinoline, a bone turnover marker, without affecting serum estradiol or endometrial thickness.

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2018·Planta medica·Yi Ling Teo, Wei Fun Cheong, Amaury Cazenave-Gassiot, et al

Pharmacokinetics of Prenylflavonoids following Oral Ingestion of Standardized Epimedium Extract in Humans.

RCTn = 30

This study investigated the pharmacokinetics and safety of prenylflavonoids from a standardized Epimedium extract in 30 healthy male subjects. The extract was well tolerated, and the main metabolites detected were icariside II and desmethylicaritin. The study suggests potential anti-osteoporotic effects, warranting further research.

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2022·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·R. Szabó, C. Rácz, F. Dulf

Bioavailability Improvement Strategies for Icariin and Its Derivates: A Review

Review

This review discusses strategies to improve the bioavailability of icariin and its derivates, icariside II and icaritin, which have potential applications in preventing cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and treating erectile dysfunction. The paper gathers the latest knowledge on pharmaceutical technologies, structural transformations, and absorption enhancers to enhance the efficacy of these flavonoids.

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2017·Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan·Hailong Wang, Quan Jiang, Xinghua Feng

Effect of Icariin on apoptosis and expression of Fas, Fas ligand, B cell lymphoma, and Bcl-2-associated X protein in CD4+ T lymphocytes from patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

In vitro

The study investigated the effects of icariin on apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-related proteins in CD4+ T lymphocytes from patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Icariin increased the expression of Fas and activity of caspase 8 and caspase 3, while decreasing Bcl-2 expression, indicating a proapoptotic effect that was dose-dependent.

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2016·The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse·Heather Xiao, Nicholas Wignall, E Sherwood Brown

An open-label pilot study of icariin for co-morbid bipolar and alcohol use disorder.

Studyn = 10Mood Mental Clarity

Open-label pilot study of icariin in 10 participants with bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse or dependence. Significant decreases were observed in depression and anxiety scores, as well as in heavy drinking days and standard drinks. Icariin was well tolerated with no withdrawals due to side-effects.

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2014·BMC veterinary research·Wen Xiong, Yun Chen, Yu Wang, et al

Roles of the antioxidant properties of icariin and its phosphorylated derivative in the protection against duck virus hepatitis.

Animal studyImmunity Inflammation

The study investigated the antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects of icariin and its phosphorylated derivative against duck viral hepatitis. Administration of icariin or p-icariin improved survival rates and attenuated liver injury and oxidative stress in ducklings, with p-icariin showing better outcomes.

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1995·Arzneimittel-Forschung·W He, H Sun, B Yang, et al

Immunoregulatory effects of the herba Epimediia glycoside icariin.

In vitroImmunity

In vitro study of icariin, a Chinese herbal extract, on human immune responses. Icariin induced proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, increased LAK and NK cell activity, and stimulated TNF-alpha production, suggesting potential for adoptive immunotherapy.

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