Epimedium brevicornu. Epimedium brevicornum, E. sagittatum, E. pubescens  淫 羊 藿 Yín yáng huò Horny goat weed, Barrenwort   Family: Berberidaceae    
PART USED: Leaves
Nature: Warm   FLAVOR: Pungent, pleasant  CHANNELS: Liver, Kidney
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Tonic- Tonify Yang
1. Warms the Kidneys and strengthens the Yang element (virility), removes excess moisture and flatulence.[1]
2. Tone up Kidneys Yang, stengthen tendons and bone.[2]
3. Expel Wind and Dampness.[2]
INDICATIONS
1. Impotency, weakness in back and knees.[1]
2. Neurasthenia.[1]
3. Rheumatoid numbness and pain, insensitivity.[1]
4. Impotence, sore loins, weak knees, numbness of four limbs, fatigue, forgetfullness.[2]
PATENT COMBINATIONS
PREPARATIONS: Decoction. Leaves 15 g for each dose. Can also be steeped in white wine.[1] Dry plant above ground 3-9 g.[2]
    

HABITAT: Found growing on hillsides, in damp shady bamboo groves or in cliff crevices.
DESCRIPTION: Perennial evergreen herb. Rhizomes creeping, in nodular formation. Basal leaves 1-3, 3 parted compound: central leaflet oval to ovate-lanceolate, apexes acuminate, bases cordate: leaflets on both sides. Flowers: in spring, light yellow terminal flowers appear to form racemose or panicle inflorescences. Fruit: an ovoid-rounded follicle.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Research

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Epimedium brevicornu Maxim Ethanol Extract.
Huang S, Meng N, Chang B, Quan X, Yuan R, Li B.
Abstract
Epimedium brevicornu Maxim has been used as a traditional herbal drug in China. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of E. brevicornu Maxim ethanol extract (EBME) were investigated in RAW264.7 macrophages and mice challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results showed that EBME attenuated inflammation by decreasing the production of several proinflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG) E2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2, in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. EBME increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and promoted the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2. The inhibitory effects of EBME on LPS-stimulated NO and PGE2 expression were partially reversed by HO-1 inhibitor. EBME also elicited an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the production of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in LPS-induced peritonitis. Therefore, EBME exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo.
PMID: 29620952 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2017.4088 J Med Food. 2018 Jul;21(7):726-733. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2017.4088. Epub 2018 Apr 5. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim extract on elicitation of penile erection in the rat.
Chen KK, Chiu JH.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effect and mechanism of a Chinese medicine (Epimedium brevicornum Maxim [EbM]) on elicitation of penile erection in the rat.
METHODS:
Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The penile intracavernous pressure (ICP) was monitored. Intracavernous administration of different doses (30, 100, 300, 1000, 3000, 6500, and 10,000 microg/0.1 mL) of EbM extract and saline 0.1 mL was done. Intracavernous NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (120 microg) was administered, followed by EbM extract 300 microg 10 minutes later. EbM extract (20, 10, and 10 microg) was stereotaxically delivered into the intracerebral ventricle, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and hippocampus, respectively.
RESULTS:
After intracavernous administration of 30 or 100 microg EbM extract, no significant change in ICP was noted. All other doses (300 to 10,000 microg) of EbM extract elicited a significant increase in ICP, with the greatest peak at 99.7 +/- 0.3 mm Hg (resting 7.8 +/- 1.0 mm Hg) after application of 6500 microg EbM extract. No change in ICP occurred with administration of L-NAME followed by EbM extract. Furthermore, intracavernous saline or administration of EbM extract into the intracerebral ventricle, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, or hippocampus was ineffective in inducing a significant change in ICP.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results suggest that intracavernous administration of EbM extract may elicit penile erection in the rat. Nitric oxide may be involved in this penile erection-inducing effect. No central neural effect of EbM extract may exist in the elicitation of penile erection.
PMID: 16527595 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2005.09.051 Urology. 2006 Mar;67(3):631-5. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Icariin from Epimedium brevicornum Maxim promotes the biosynthesis of estrogen by aromatase (CYP19).
Yang L, Lu D, Guo J, Meng X, Zhang G, Wang F.
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, and Ligustrum 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.
PMID: 23261485 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.11.031 J Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Feb 13;145(3):715-21. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.11.031. Epub 2012 Dec 20. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Epimedium brevicornum Maxim extract relaxes rabbit corpus cavernosum through multitargets on nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate signaling pathway.
Chiu JH, Chen KK, Chien TM, Chiou WF, Chen CC, Wang JY, Lui WY, Wu CW.
Abstract
Epimedium brevicornum Maxim (EbM) has been reputed to have sexual stimulation effects on males. The study is aimed to test the hypothesis that EbM extracts relaxed the corpus cavernosum (CC) smooth muscle through activation of multitargets on nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway. Water extract of EbM and its subfraction (EP-20) were prepared and standardized by high-performance liquid chromatography. Isolated rabbit CC strips were mounted in organ baths and isometric tension was recorded in the presence or absence of specific inhibitors related to NO/cGMP signaling such as L-N(G)-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor) or phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE 5) inhibitors. cGMP level was determined in EP-20-treated CC strips. The results showed that EP-20 enriched the content of L-arginine in the process of purification and relaxed the CC smooth muscle precontracted with phenylephrine (PE, 1 microM) in a concentration-dependent manner. Besides, EP-20 increased the amount of cGMP production in rabbit CC tissues. Coincubation with EP-20 and L-NAME or ODQ significantly decreased EP-20-induced relaxation whereas EP-20 increased sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation in PE-precontracted CC strips. Besides, EP-20 increased the potency and the duration of the relaxation effects caused by electrical field stimulation. Finally, EP-20 could potentiate PDE 5 inhibitors in relaxation of PE-precontracted CC strips. We concluded that extract of EbM relax the CC smooth muscle through multitargets in NO/cGMP/PDE 5 pathway and might bring into perspective the treatment strategy for those patients with erectile dysfunction.
PMID: 16395327 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ijir.3901437 Int J Impot Res. 2006 Jul-Aug;18(4):335-42. Epub 2006 Jan 5. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prenylated flavonoids and dihydrophenanthrenes from the leaves of Epimedium brevicornu and their cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells (Carcinoma).
Pang X, Yin SS, Yu HY, Zhang Y, Wang T, Hu LM, Han LF.
Author information
Abstract
Phytochemical study on the leaves of Epimedium brevicornu finally led to the isolation of four prenylated flavonoids (1-4) and three dihydrophenanthrenes (5-7), of which 1, 2, 5 and 7 were new compounds. The structures of these compounds were established mainly by spectroscopic techniques, including NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. These isolates exhibited the cytotoxic activities against HepG2 cells with the IC50 values of 32.8-87.3 μM.
PMID: 29172686 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2017.1405410 Nat Prod Res. 2017 Nov 26:1-7. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2017.1405410. [Epub ahead of print] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Flavonoid glycosides isolated from Epimedium brevicornum and their estrogen biosynthesis-promoting effects
Fu Li, Bao-Wen Du, Dan-Feng Lu, Wen-Xuan Wu, Kanjana Wongkrajang, Lun Wang, Wen-Chen Pu, Chang-Lu Liu, Han-Wei Liu, Ming-Kui Wang & Fei Wang
Abstract
Epimedium brevicornum Maxim has a long history of use in the treatment of estrogen deficiency-related diseases. However, the chemical constituents and mechanism of action of this medicinal plant are not fully understood. In the present study, we isolated four new isoprenylated flavonoid glycosides, as well as 16 known flavonoids (13 isoprenylated flavonoids), from this plant. The chemical structures of the new flavonoid glycosides were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. The new compounds 1–4 were potent promoters of estrogen biosynthesis in human ovarian granulosa-like KGN cells. ZW1, an isoprenylated flavonoid analogue and a specific inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), was synthesized and used to explore the mechanism of the isoprenylated analogues on estrogen biosynthesis. ZW1 treatment increased estrogen production by upregulation of aromatase mRNA and protein expression. ZW1 increased the phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). Further study showed that the inhibition of PDE5 by ZW1 increased estrogen biosynthesis partly through suppression of phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3). Our results suggested that the isoprenylated flavonoids from E. brevicornum may produce beneficial health effects through the promotion of estrogen biosynthesis. PDE5 warrants further investigation as a new therapeutic target for estrogen biosynthesis in the prevention and treatment of estrogen-deficiency related diseases.
Scientific Reportsvolume 7, Article number: 7760 (2017) nature.com