2023-10-06 00:30:03
New meta-analyses added
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We added a few meta-analyses to our database and update the clinical effects accordingly.
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Horny Goat Weed
•Last Updated: October 6, 2023
Horny goat weed, scientifically known as Epimedium, is a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is claimed to be a natural aphrodisiac. The flavonoids and other active compounds in horny goat weed may also be beneficial for cardiovascular health and brain health.
Horny Goat Weed is most often used for
Last Updated:October 6, 2023
Horny goat weed, or Epimedium, is a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine for its tonic, aphrodisiac, and antirheumatic properties, and icariin is its most studied bioactive compound. It is believed to have various health benefits, including antiatherogenic and anti-inflammatory effects, although most research has been conducted in animals and in vitro.
Horny goat weed is commonly found in testosterone-boosting and erectile dysfunction supplements, but it lacks strong human evidence for these benefits. However, it has shown potential in improving bone mineral density, reducing cholesterol, and exhibiting neuroprotective properties, and further research is needed to confirm these effects in humans.
Although horny goat weed appears to be generally safe, with minor side effects like abdominal discomfort and nausea, it can interact with blood pressure and anticoagulant medications, which potentially leads to unwanted effects. Also, it may increase estrogen levels in women.
Horny goat weed may help with erectile dysfunction by inhibiting phosphodiesterase-5, which increases cyclic GMP levels, enhancing blood flow and promoting erections. Additionally, it may have cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects through various mechanisms, including reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
Note that Horny Goat Weed is also known as:
- Yinyanghuo
- Fairy Wings
- Rowdy Lamb Herb
- Epimedium
- Herba Epimedii
- Barrenwort
- Bishop's Hat
Horny Goat Weed should not be confused with:
- Icariin (active ingredient)
Testosterone boosting effects in rats have been noted at a dosage of 200mg/kg of a 40% extract (80mg/kg Icariin), and based on body weight conversions from rats to humans[1] this results in an estimated human dose of:
- 900mg Icariin for a 150lb person
- 1,200mg Icariin for a 200lb person
- 1,500mg Icariin for a 250lb person
Studies that use a lower dosage of Icariin (1-10mg/kg) are approximately equal to:
- 11-110mg Icariin for a 150lb person
- 15-150mg Icariin for a 200lb person
- 18-180mg Icariin for a 250lb person
The human study on postmenopausal women and bone health noted that 60mg Icariin daily was active, and might serve as the lowest active dose currently known. It also appears to fall within the above range of lower active dosages which show benefits in rats.
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2023-07-26 16:56:13
Small FAQ and database update
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We added one new study to the FAQs and database.
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The information in this section is slated for renovation — it will soon be transformed into a more usable (and readable!) form in the coming months. As such, the text in this section may be out of date and not up to Examine’s current standards for writing style.
- ^Guidance for Industry: Estimating the Maximum safe starting dose in Initial Clinical Trials for Therapeutics in Adult Healthy Volunteers
- ^Horny Goat Weed.LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury.(2012)
- ^Manish Kuchakulla, Manish Narasimman, Yash Soni, Joon Yau Leong, Premal Patel, Ranjith RamasamyA systematic review and evidence-based analysis of ingredients in popular male testosterone and erectile dysfunction supplementsInt J Impot Res.(2021 Apr)
- ^Shindel AW, Xin ZC, Lin G, Fandel TM, Huang YC, Banie L, Breyer BN, Garcia MM, Lin CS, Lue TFErectogenic and neurotrophic effects of icariin, a purified extract of horny goat weed (Epimedium spp.) in vitro and in vivo.J Sex Med.(2010-Apr)
- ^Liu WJ, Xin ZC, Xin H, Yuan YM, Tian L, Guo YLEffects of icariin on erectile function and expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in castrated rats.Asian J Androl.(2005-Dec)
- ^Tian L, Xin ZC, Liu WJ, Yang YM, Liu G, Chen L, Fu J, Wang LLEffects of icariin on the erectile function and expression of nitrogen oxide synthase isoforms in corpus cavernosum of arterigenic erectile dysfunction rat model.Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi.(2004-Jun-02)
- ^Yan FF, Liu Y, Liu YF, Zhao YXHerba Epimedii water extract elevates estrogen level and improves lipid metabolism in postmenopausal women.Phytother Res.(2008-Sep)
- ^Shi S, Wang F, Huang Y, Chen B, Pei C, Huang D, Wang X, Wang Y, Kou S, Li W, Ma T, Wu Y, Wang ZEpimedium for Osteoporosis Based on Western and Eastern Medicine: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Front Pharmacol.(2022)
- ^Fang J, Zhang YIcariin, an Anti-atherosclerotic Drug from Chinese Medicinal Herb Horny Goat Weed.Front Pharmacol.(2017)
- ^Wang S, Ma J, Zeng Y, Zhou G, Wang Y, Zhou W, Sun X, Wu MIcariin, an Up-and-Coming Bioactive Compound Against Neurological Diseases: Network Pharmacology-Based Study and Literature Review.Drug Des Devel Ther.(2021)
- ^Partin JF, Pushkin YRTachyarrhythmia and hypomania with horny goat weed.Psychosomatics.(2004)
- ^Metz D, Weston P, Barker DCase report of vasculitic rash induced by Ginkgo biloba and/or Horny Goat Weed.BMJ Case Rep.(2009)
- ^Cao YF, He RR, Cao J, Chen JX, Huang T, Liu YDrug-Drug Interactions Potential of Icariin and Its Intestinal Metabolites via Inhibition of Intestinal UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2012)
- ^Ning H, Xin ZC, Lin G, Banie L, Lue TF, Lin CSEffects of icariin on phosphodiesterase-5 activity in vitro and cyclic guanosine monophosphate level in cavernous smooth muscle cells.Urology.(2006-Dec)
- ^Chung BH, Kim JD, Kim CK, Kim JH, Won MH, Lee HS, Dong MS, Ha KS, Kwon YG, Kim YMIcariin stimulates angiogenesis by activating the MEK/ERK- and PI3K/Akt/eNOS-dependent signal pathways in human endothelial cells.Biochem Biophys Res Commun.(2008-Nov-14)
- ^Xu HB, Huang ZQIcariin enhances endothelial nitric-oxide synthase expression on human endothelial cells in vitro.Vascul Pharmacol.(2007-Jul)
- ^He XL, Zhou WQ, Bi MG, Du GHNeuroprotective effects of icariin on memory impairment and neurochemical deficits in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice.Brain Res.(2010-Jun-02)
- ^Li WW, Gao XM, Wang XM, Guo H, Zhang BLIcariin inhibits hydrogen peroxide-induced toxicity through inhibition of phosphorylation of JNK/p38 MAPK and p53 activity.Mutat Res.(2011-Mar-15)
- ^Liu B, Zhang H, Xu C, Yang G, Tao J, Huang J, Wu J, Duan X, Cao Y, Dong JNeuroprotective effects of icariin on corticosterone-induced apoptosis in primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons.Brain Res.(2011-Feb-23)
- Estrogen - J Li, L Lee, Y Gong, P Shen, S P Wong, Stephen D Wise, E L YongBioassays for estrogenic activity: development and validation of estrogen receptor (ERalpha/ERbeta) and breast cancer proliferation bioassays to measure serum estrogenic activity in clinical studiesAssay Drug Dev Technol.(2009 Feb)
- Bone Mineral Density - Zhang G, Qin L, Shi YEpimedium-derived phytoestrogen flavonoids exert beneficial effect on preventing bone loss in late postmenopausal women: a 24-month randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trialJ Bone Miner Res.(2007 Jul)
- Bone Mineral Density - Shi S, Wang F, Huang Y, Chen B, Pei C, Huang D, Wang X, Wang Y, Kou S, Li W, Ma T, Wu Y, Wang ZEpimedium for Osteoporosis Based on Western and Eastern Medicine: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Front Pharmacol.(2022)