Epimedium Sagittatum Extract
(Common Name: Horny Goat Weed)

Botanical name: Epimedium sagittatum

Common name: Horny goat weed

Part(s) used: Leaf

Traditional Use of Epimedium

Known also as Epimedium or Yin Yang Huo, horny goat weed was first described in ancient classical Chinese medicinal texts. Today, horny goat weed holds an important place in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is gaining popularity around the world. Used by practitioners for over 2,000 years, horny goat weed is several species of epimedium, a leafy plant which grows in the wild, most abundantly at higher altitudes. The leaves of the plant contain a variety of flavonoids, polysaccharides, sterols and an alkaloid called magnaflorine. And while the exact way that horny goat weed works remains unknown, the plant has long been employed to restore sexual fire, boost erectile function, allay fatigue and alleviate menopausal discomfort.

Benefits of Epimedium

• Boosts libido (sex drive)
• Increases energy levels
• Enhances recovery from exercise (via cortisol-control)
• Enhance Sexual desire

Mechanism of Action for Epimedium

Studies have shown that Epimedium increases sexual activity in animals and humans, improves sperm production and has a moderate androgen-like influence on the testes, prostate gland, and anal muscles, thereby influencing sexual desire and activity.

Research has also shown that Horny Goat Weed can inhibit an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE). AChE rapidly stops neurotransmission at cholinergic synapses like those found in the brain and at neuromuscular junctions, which are needed for speedy responses in the neuromuscular system. By inhibiting AChE, Horny Goat Weed supports higher levels of the key cholinergic neurotransmitters associated with sexual arousal.

Epimedium might have AMO (mono-amine-oxidase-ihibitor) activity. In trials they showed that levels of noradrenaline, adrenaline, serotonin and dopaminelevels were all elevated in animals given Epimedium. High dopamine levels encourage the release of leutenizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. LH in turn stimulates the testes to produce more testosterone; this may help to explain the pro- sexual effects. Epimedium also works by stimulating the sensory nerves throughout the body, particularly in the genital region. Additionally, Epimedium has powerful immune stimulating properties.

Side effects of Epimedium

Very high doses of epimedium can cause side effects of overstimulation, rapid heart beat, and perhaps heart palpitations.

Epimedium Research

Effects of icariin on cGMP-specific PDE5 and cAMP-specific PDE4 activities.

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2004 Jan;84(2):142-5.

To clarify the mechanism of the therapeutic action of icariin on erectile dysfunction. PDE5 was isolated from the human platelet and PDE4 from the rat liver tissue. Icariin and papaverine showed dose-dependent inhibitory effects on PDE5 and PDE4 activities. Icariin is a cGMP-specific PDE5 inhibitor that may be developed into an oral effective agent for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Clinical and experimental research of Epimedium brevicornum in relieving neuroendocrino-immunological effect inhibited by exogenous glucocorticoid

Cai D, Shen S, Chen X.

Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai (200040).

OBJECTIVE: To study protective effect of Epimedium brevicornum (EB) on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-thymus (HPAT) axis inhibited by exogenous glucocorticoid. METHODS: In clinical research, variation of cortisol, adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH), lymphocyte proliferative reaction were observed before and after medication in 65 patients took prednisone, and were randomly divided into Fufang prednisone group (mixture of prednisone and EB) and prednisone group. An experimental model of HPAT axis inhibited by corticosterone (CORT) was established to observe the effect of EB on relevant indices of HPAT axis. RESULTS: The level of ACTH and CORT in plasma decreased and lymphocyte proliferative reaction reduced in patients (P < 0.05). In experimental study, monoaminic transmitters activated in hypothalamus; weight of pituitary, adrenal and thymus decreased; number of CRH positive neurons in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, CRH positive neurofibrilin median eminence and anterior pituitary ACTH positive secretory cells decreased; adrenal fasciculate zone and thymus cortex atrophies; NK cell cytotoxicity and the level of IL-2 and gamma-IFN which were produced by lymphocytes reduced in CORT-rats (P < 0.05). There were significant difference between Fufang prednisone group (clinical research) or EB group (experimental research) and CORT control groups, P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: EB could relieve neuroendocrino-immunological effect inhibited by exogenous glucocorticoid.