Icariin - the estrogen booster

[nattydisaster]

ScienceDirect.com - Journal of Ethnopharmacology - Icariin from Epimedium brevicornum Maxim promotes the biosynthesis of estrogen by aromatase (CYP19)

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Epimedium brevicornum Maxim has long been used for the treatment of osteoporosis in China and other Asian countries. However, the mechanism behind the antiosteoporotic activity of this medicinal plant is not fully understood.Aim of the study

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of five widely used antiosteoporotic medicinal plants (Epimedium brevicornum, Cuscuta chinensis, Rhizoma drynariae, Polygonum multiflorum, andLigustrum lucidum) on the production of estrogen, and identify the bioactive compounds responsible for the estrogen biosynthesis-promoting effect.Materials and methods

Human ovarian granulosa-like KGN cells were used to evaluate estrogen biosynthesis, and the production of 17β-estradiol was quantified by a magnetic particle-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Further, the mRNA expression of aromatase was determined by a quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the protein expression of aromatase was detected by western blotting. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in rat osteoblastic UMR-106 cells was measured using p-nitrophenyl sodium phosphate assay.Results

Among the 5 antiosteoporotic medicinal plants, the extract of Epimedium brevicornum was found to significantly promote estrogen biosynthesis in KGN cells. Icariin, the major compound in Epimedium brevicornum, was identified to be the active compound for the estrogen biosynthesis-promoting effect. Icariin promoted estrogen biosynthesis in KGN cells in a concentration- and time-dependant manner and enhanced the mRNA and protein expressions of aromatase, which is the only enzyme for the conversion of androgens to estrogens in vertebrates. Further study showed that icariin also promoted estrogen biosynthesis and ALP activity in osteoblastic UMR-106 cells.Conclusions

These results show that the promotion of estrogen biosynthesis is a novel effect of Epimedium brevicornum, and icariin could be utilized for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

[bioman]

I had a lot of estro sides running icariin/HGW for 8 months. There are other studies detailing its downstream conversion to E and E-mimetic compounds.

[hsk]

Nice Post!

What company sells it in an isolated form, I think 60% if anyone happens to know.

There are a small hand full of places on the net that supposedly sell 60% icariin, but there are no real reviews from reputable forum members on any of the major bb/fitness forums. So there is no way to know if it is a scam or the real thing.

I'm not sure of this is allowed or not but here is list of some of the places that supposedly sell 60% Icariin:

1. Icariin 60
2. Buy Horny Goat Weed | Buy 60% icariin | Water-Extracted Horny Goat Weed
3. Amazon.com: Icariin 60 -Strongest Icariin 60% - Bulk Powder 1 Kg: Health & Personal Care
4. Amazon.com: Icariin 60%, Premium Concentrated Blend (1 Kg) Bulk Powder: Health & Personal Care
5. 1 KG Icariin 60 Extract Bulk Powder | eBay
6. Icariin 60 Extract 1 KG Bulk Powder | eBay

I've been eyeing these sellers for a while and so far this is what I know:

Number 1 is a Swiss supplement company and purchased the rights to a specific Indonesian 60% Icariin Extract which they bought from a company called MDA Supplements in Indonesia.

Number 2 buys from Number 1 and is more of a reseller.

Number 3 and number 5 are brands from the same seller called Health Supplement Wholesalers and this seller does business on both Amazon and Ebay. They have listings for smallers amounts.

Number 4 and 6 are a company called Supplement Nexus which pretty much prices everything the same as 4 and 6 (Health Supplement Wholesalers). They have listings for smallers amounts.

I can't remember for sure but I think both companies 3,5 and 4,6 are from the same location in the US so it is possible that 3,4,5,and 6 are all the same parent company selling under different brands on Amazon and Ebay.

So far aside from EBay, there are no real reviews for any of these places, and more specifically, no reviews from reputable forum members from any of the major BB/Fitness forums. So if you have been thinking of buying from these places, I would suggest doing so with caution just to be safe.

[bioman]

I've used Nexus and HSW for noots and they are legit.

[hsk]

I've used Nexus and HSW for noots and they are legit.

Do you happen to know if they are more or less the same company? Also have you tried their Icariin?

[bioman]

I have not tried their icariin nor do I know their affiliation with one another. Their noots were legit and delivered on time. Amazon or Ebay might be willing to provide some info on these sellers.

I've seen higher percentage extracts of Icariin from Chinese suppliers, but can't bring myself to go that route.

[RenegadeRows]

Subbed, great / interesting read.

[USPlabsRep]

I have not tried their icariin nor do I know their affiliation with one another. Their noots were legit and delivered on time. Amazon or Ebay might be willing to provide some info on these sellers.

I've seen higher percentage extracts of Icariin from Chinese suppliers, but can't bring myself to go that route.

Why would you use it again after your initial experience with it?

[USPlabsRep]

ScienceDirect.com - Journal of Ethnopharmacology - Icariin from Epimedium brevicornum Maxim promotes the biosynthesis of estrogen by aromatase (CYP19)

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Epimedium brevicornum Maxim has long been used for the treatment of osteoporosis in China and other Asian countries. However, the mechanism behind the antiosteoporotic activity of this medicinal plant is not fully understood.Aim of the study

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of five widely used antiosteoporotic medicinal plants (Epimedium brevicornum, Cuscuta chinensis, Rhizoma drynariae, Polygonum multiflorum, andLigustrum lucidum) on the production of estrogen, and identify the bioactive compounds responsible for the estrogen biosynthesis-promoting effect.Materials and methods

Human ovarian granulosa-like KGN cells were used to evaluate estrogen biosynthesis, and the production of 17β-estradiol was quantified by a magnetic particle-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Further, the mRNA expression of aromatase was determined by a quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the protein expression of aromatase was detected by western blotting. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in rat osteoblastic UMR-106 cells was measured using p-nitrophenyl sodium phosphate assay.Results

Among the 5 antiosteoporotic medicinal plants, the extract of Epimedium brevicornum was found to significantly promote estrogen biosynthesis in KGN cells. Icariin, the major compound in Epimedium brevicornum, was identified to be the active compound for the estrogen biosynthesis-promoting effect. Icariin promoted estrogen biosynthesis in KGN cells in a concentration- and time-dependant manner and enhanced the mRNA and protein expressions of aromatase, which is the only enzyme for the conversion of androgens to estrogens in vertebrates. Further study showed that icariin also promoted estrogen biosynthesis and ALP activity in osteoblastic UMR-106 cells.Conclusions

These results show that the promotion of estrogen biosynthesis is a novel effect of Epimedium brevicornum, and icariin could be utilized for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

you get a hard on from the assumed vaso properties and emotional at the same time. That is odd scene, banging and crying at the same time.

[bdcc]

you get a hard on from the assumed vaso properties and emotional at the same time. That is odd scene, banging and crying at the same time.

This is when the male starts asking the female if she is ok just to cuddle for a little while afterwards.

[Outside Backer]

you get a hard on from the assumed vaso properties and emotional at the same time. That is odd scene, banging and crying at the same time.

Wait? so she is supposed to be the only one crying during sex? Damn

[mr.cooper69]

I've stated numerous times that HGW is a dirty plant with mixed activity. Icariin, a compound found in the plant, is not estrogenic and elevates testosterone. So go for higher extracts (though not cheap!).

[hsk]

I've stated numerous times that HGW is a dirty plant with mixed activity. Icariin, a compound found in the plant, is not estrogenic and elevates testosterone. So go for higher extracts (though not cheap!).

High extracts of Icariin are very expensive and accordingly, many products that used to be 50% Icariin have downgraded to 40%, and some have even gone down further to 30% and 20%. 10% Icariin is the most common and can still be found easily. What is the minimum percentage extract of Icariin that you would consider high enough before using?

[mr.cooper69]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16751992
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16281085

[mr.cooper69]

High extracts of Icariin are very expensive and accordingly, many products that used to be 50% Icariin have downgraded to 40%, and some have even gone down further to 30% and 20%. 10% Icariin is the most common and can still be found easily. What is the minimum percentage extract of Icariin that you would consider high enough before using?

40%+ for me. The more icariin, the more positives, the less negatives.

[bioman]

Why would you use it again after your initial experience with it?

Don't plan to unless I could find a 60% or higher extract. Even if it were easily obtainable, Anacyclus currently holds my attention.

[AdelV]

I've stated numerous times that HGW is a dirty plant with mixed activity. Icariin, a compound found in the plant, is not estrogenic and elevates testosterone. So go for higher extracts (though not cheap!).

NP 50% bulk use to be unreal!

[bioman]

I've stated numerous times that HGW is a dirty plant with mixed activity. Icariin, a compound found in the plant, is not estrogenic and elevates testosterone. So go for higher extracts (though not cheap!).

I must have been reading about some of the other "dirty" compounds that act as T mimetics but readily aromitize in E mimetics, but its been years since I dabbled in this one. Interesting plant, nonetheless.

Hard to get one (Icariin) without the other(dirty goat estrogens). I ran the 50% for awhile and it was great for the first few months, but then I started bloating up. It was during a period when FDA was raiding all the ancillary labs so I couldnt get an AI. Not fun, but now I am much better versed on natural/alternative AI's.


I used to dream of creating a mix of 95% forskohlin and pure Icariin.

[strategicmove]

This is when the male starts asking the female if she is ok just to cuddle for a little while afterwards.

I knew you would respond to that post!

[PrepNwa23]

I've stated numerous times that HGW is a dirty plant with mixed activity. Icariin, a compound found in the plant, is not estrogenic and elevates testosterone. So go for higher extracts (though not cheap!).

Icariin has always peaked my interests if I can find a high enough extract.