Pharmacological effects of icariin

Adv Pharmacol. 2020:87:179-203. doi: 10.1016/bs.apha.2019.10.004. Epub 2020 Jan 13.

Abstract

Icariin (ICA) is a principal active component from traditional Chinese medicine Epimedium grandiflorum. To explain its traditional medical usages by modern science, a variety of pharmacological effects have been studied for ICA. In this review, we summarized the pharmacokinetics of ICA as well as its pharmacological mechanisms in neurodegenerative disease, cardiovascular disease, anti-osteoporosis, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress, anti-depression and anti-tumors.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Icariin; Neurodegenerative disease; Pharmacokinetics; Pharmacology; Traditional Chinese medicine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Cardiotonic Agents / pharmacology
  • Flavonoids / chemistry
  • Flavonoids / pharmacokinetics
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Flavonoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / drug therapy
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Cardiotonic Agents
  • Flavonoids
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • icariin