Pharmacological effects and pharmacokinetic properties of icariin, the major bioactive component in Herba Epimedii
2015; Elsevier BV; Volume: 126; Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/j.lfs.2015.01.006
ISSN1879-0631
AutoresChenrui Li, Qiang Li, Qibing Mei, Tingli Lu,
Tópico(s)Bone Metabolism and Diseases
ResumoHerba Epimedii is an important medicinal plant which has been used in various traditional Chinese formulations for thousands of years as well as in modern proprietary traditional Chinese medicine products. It has extensive clinical indications, especially for the treatment of sexual dysfunction and osteoporosis. There have been more than 260 chemical moieties identified in the genus Epimedium most of which belong to flavonoids. Icariin is the most abundant constituent in Herba Epimedii. Icariin is pharmacologically bioactive and demonstrates extensive therapeutic capacities such as osteoprotective effect, neuroprotective effect, cardiovascular protective effect, anti-cancer effect, anti-inflammation effect, immunoprotective effect and reproductive function. Particularly, the significant osteogenic effect of icariin made it a promising drug candidate in bone tissue engineering. The current review paper aims to summarize the literatures reporting the pharmacological effects of icariin. The pharmacokinetic properties of bioactive ingredients in Herba Epimedii have also been discussed.
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