Horny Goat Weed (active ingredient: icariin) = Herbal Viagra / natural PDE5 inhibitor

Therapeutic Efforts Supplements & Lifestyle
#1

[i][b]NOTE: Icariin is the active ingredient in Horny Goat Weed.

HGW is also a natural PDE-5 inhibitor, like Viagra, but much weaker and thus, far less chance for side effects.[/b][/i]

The testosterone mimetic properties of icariin

ABSTRACT: blackwell-synergy.com/doi/ab … lCode=ajan

Aim: To evaluate the testosterone mimetic properties of icariin.

Methods: Forty-eight healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats at the age of 15 months were randomly divided into four groups with 12 rats each: the control group ©, the model group (M), the icariin group (ICA) and the testosterone group (T).

The reproductive system was damaged by cyclophosphamide (intraperitoneal injection, 20 mg/kg·day) for 5 consecutive days for groups M, ICA and T, at the sixth day, ICA (gastric gavage, 200 mg/kg·day) for the ICA group and sterandryl (subcutaneous injection, 5 mg/rat·day) for the T group for 7 consecutive days, respectively.

The levels of serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), serum bone Gla-protein (BGP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity in serum (StrACP) were determined. The histological changes of the testis and the penis were observed by microscope with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP-X nick end labeling (TUNEL), respectively.

[b]Results: (1) Icariin improved the condition of reproductive organs and increased the circulating levels of testosterone. /b Icariin treatment also improved the steady-state serum BGP and might have promoted bone formation. At the same time, it decreased the serum levels of StrACP and might have reduced the bone resorption. (3) Icarrin suppressed the extent of apoptosis of penile cavernosal smooth muscle cells.

Conclusion: Icariin has testosterone mimetic properties and has therapeutic potential in the management of hypoandrogenism.

#2

canada.com/vancouversun/news … 0e0f952615

NEWS ARTICLE:

‘Horny goat weed’ tested as Viagra alternative
Sharon Kirkey, Canwest News Service
Published: Monday, September 29, 2008

Italian researchers are testing a promising alternative to Viagra that they’re calling 3,7-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-icaritin – or more simply put, “horny goat weed.”

In lab experiments, a semi-synthetic derivative of the active compound in Epimedium brevicornum, an ancient Chinese herbal remedy for impotence, performed as well as Viagra but with the potential for fewer side effects, the researchers say.

It’s an ironic finding: Health Canada has issued a string of warnings on Chinese herbal products for erectile dysfunction because they contain undeclared sildenafil – the active ingredient in Viagra.

Now, a Chinese aphrodisiac may outperform the blockbuster drug.

The study is scheduled for the Oct. 24 issue of the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Natural Products.

“The inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual function is an increasing problem with a considerable impact on interpersonal relationships and quality of life for men,” the researchers write.

During sexual arousal, a chemical called cyclic GMP causes smooth muscle to relax, increasing blood flow to the penis. Viagra works by blocking an enzyme that normally breaks down this chemical. This allows more blood to flow to and be trapped in the penis, resulting in an erection.

But, “sildenafil (Viagra) shows a lot of side effects including headache, facial flushing and visual disturbances,” says lead author Mario Dell-Agli, from the department of pharmacological sciences at Milan University. “So it is important to search for new alternatives to Viagra.”

His group studied medicinal plants that had a reputation in the literature for their aphrodisiac effects. They tested four. Only one, “horny goat weed,” was strongly active against the enzyme that inhibits blood flow to the penis. But it needed improvement to match Viagra’s potency.

When the researchers chemically modified the active compound, they came up with something “as potent as sildenafil on the enzyme,” Dell-Agli says. And because it targeted the enzyme more precisely, it could have fewer side effects, he says.

It hasn’t been tested in humans. But, “this molecule, in my opinion, can be considered a candidate worthy of further studies,” Dell-Agli says.

The study is scheduled for the Oct. 24 issue of the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Natural Products.

#3

asiaandro.com/1008-682X/5/15.htm

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

Conclusion: In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of icariin on PDE5 and PDE4 with papaverine as the control drug. Icariin and papaverine had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on PDE4 and PDE5. Our previous studies showed that icariin significantly increased the cGMP levels of penile and clitoral CC in rabbits [20, 21]. In conclusion, icariin has a selective inhibitory effect on cGMP-specific PDE5 compared to cAMP-specific PDE4 and may be developed into an oral effective agent useful for the treatment of ED.

#4

www3.interscience.wiley.com/jour … 6/abstract

Effects of icariin on erectile function and expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in castrated rats

Aim: To investigate the effect of icariin on erectile function and the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in castrated rats.

Methods: Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into one sham-operated group (A) and three castrated groups (B, C and D). One week after surgery, rats were treated with normal saline (groups A and B) or oral icariin (1 mg/[kg·day] for group C and 5 mg/[kg·day] for group D) for 4 weeks.

One week after treatment, the erectile function of the rats was assessed by measuring intracavernosal pressure (ICP) during electrostimulation of the cavernosal nerve.

The serum testosterone (ST) levels, the percent of smooth muscle (PSM) in trabecular tissue, and the expression of mRNA and proteins of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and phosphodiesterase V (PDE5) in corpus cavernosum (CC) were also evaluated.

Results: ICP, PSM, ST and the expression of nNOS, iNOS, eNOS and PDE5 were significantly decreased in group B compared with those in group A (P < 0.01). [b]However, ICP, PSM and the expression of nNOS and iNOS were increased in groups C and D compared with those in group B (P <0> 0.05) in groups C and D compared with those in group B.

Conclusion:Oral treatment with icariin (> 98.6 % purity) for 4 weeks potentially improves erectile function. This effect is correlated with an increase in PSM and the expression of certain NOS in the CC of castrated rats. These results suggest that icariin may have a therapeutic effect on erectile dysfunction.[/b]

#5

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15329286

Effects of icariin on the erectile function and expression of nitrogen oxide synthase isoforms in corpus cavernosum of arterigenic erectile dysfunction rat model

OBJECTIVE: The study the effects of oral administered icariin on intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and on expression of the nitrogen oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in corpus cavernosum (CC) of arteriogenic erectile dysfunction (A-ED) rat model.

METHODS: Forty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 10 rats: shame operated group (group A) and three A-ED model groups (group B, C and D). The internal pudendal arteries were isolated and ligated with 7-O nylon thread at both the main trunk and the penile branches to establish the A-ED model. ICP were tested after the operation to make sure the successful model establishment. The groups A and B were treated with saline: and the groups C and D were treated with icariin (5 mg/kg/day and 10mg/kg/day respectively) orally for 30 days. Then the ICP was measured again. The tissues of corpus cavernosum were taken and RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of nNOS, iNOS and eNOS in CC, and Western-blot was used to detect the protein expression of these NOS isoforms.

RESULTS: The ICP in the group B was significantly decreased compared to the group A (P < 0.01), but the ICP values in the groups C and D were both increased compared to those in the group B (both P < 0.01). The expressions of the mRNA and protein of nNOS, iNOS, and eNOS were all decreased in the group B, however, the mRNA and protein expressions of eNOS were increased a in the groups C and D. In the group C, iNOS also increased. The expression of nNOS showed no obvious changes in the group C and group D.

CONCLUSION: Chronic oral treatment with Icariin increases the erectile function (ICP) and restores the eNOS expression in CC of A-ED rats. Icariin may have a long-term therapeutic effect on ischemia/hypoxia induced ED.

#6

Having experimented with HGW for the past number of months, I can say that this supplement does in fact aid with bloodflow to the penis and therefore may assist with increasing erection strength and rigidity.

That said – it’s not a magic bullet and does nothing for libido. My penis still feels numb/atrophied/fibrotic irregardless.

Brand
I get mine from a local compounding pharmacy… $30 for 90 capsules, 320mg each, standardized to 10% icariin extract. There are various brands out there, but would rather get the pure stuff straight from a pharmacy than some bodybuilding supplement knockoff that may or may not contain the real thing.

Effects
As it takes effect within an hour, I notice my ears start “ringing” slightly, like the sound of hearing your nervous system in a sound proofed room. Also notice a slight pressure in and around my eyes, and my heart starts pounding a bit harder than normal. As it takes effect, penis begins to feel warm.

Dosage
Bottle says 1-4 capsules; I’ve found 2-4 works well, but even one capsule can have an effect.

Best results
Usually obtained on an empty stomach, taken with carbohydrate drink (grapejuice) 1-2 hrs before sexual activity.

Side Effects
Other than slight ear ringing, eye pressure and an increased heart rate/slight changes in blood pressure, the only negative side effect I’ve had is a minor headache after use (very rarely).

Thought I’d share my experience, feel free to give it a shot and see if it helps you. I have to say it is not a guarantee of anything, simply an enhancer.

#7

Mew, I tried to get Icariin twice today from different compounding pharmacies. Both said they can order it but I need a prescription. I haven’t read that this a regulated substance anywhere. ?

#8

Icariin is the active ingredient in HGW. The substance itself might require a prescription, but HGW does not.

There are compounding pharmacies that sell their own HGW (not icariin itself) to consumers.

#9

HORNY GOAT WEED

Does anyone have recommendations for a reliable brand and distributer? These are the best three I’ve come up with searching on google but am not sold yet:

  1. Source Natuarals: one 600 MG and one 1000 MG, 10% flavenoids extract as icariin

  2. Starwest Botanicals, this company sells it in bulk powder or capsules, capsules are 500 MG no extract

  3. Natures Way, same extract as Source Naturals in 500 MG capsules

EDIT: I went with Source Naturals and had a good response for about a week. The effects went away I believe because I overused it (every night) and missed my L-Arginine supplement. Since I have not used it for almost a month. I’m going to try again soon and will update this post.

#10

I have tried four different HGW extracts. One of them improved my ed symptoms dramatically, but also made me very grumpy.
HGW increases the kidney yang, or heat in body according to chinese herbal medicine guides. I definitely felt the heat. I got angered much more easily and was thirsty all the time.

I wanted to try if pure icariin would do the trick without the ‘heat’. No supplement company sells pure icariin or even 70-80% extarcts as they are much more expensive than low % extracts.
So I bought 100g of horny goat weed extract with 98,3% Icariin straight from a large reputable herbal extract supplier that usually sells extracts in kg’s.

I have taken it for four days without any dramatic results. So far have tried daily doses of: 100,200,300,and 500mg.
Not much heat, not much wood.
I dunno what I’m going to do with all this icariin if I don’t respond.

#11

Hey mate,

This helped me out alot

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protodioscin

#12

read this: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5879&p=47718&hilit=Protodioscin#p47718

Also, eucommia is currently helping me tremendously. I hope I don’t build a tolerance.