ABSTRACT
Icaritin is one of the major bioactive compounds of Epimedii Folium. In recent years, scientific and pharmacological studies have shown that icaritin possesses broad therapeutic effects, especially in anti-tumor, enhancing osteoprotective, cardioprotective, neuro-protective function. However, its clinical application was limited by poor water solubility, poor oral absorption and low bioavailability. New drug delivery system has great application prospect in improving solubility of icaritin, oral absorption and bioavailability. Therefore, the current review paper aims to summarize the pharmacological effects of icaritin and briefly introduce some new drug delivery of icaritin, to provide theoretical basis for its clinical application and new drug development.
ABSTRACT
Icariin (ICA) is one of the main active ingredient,isolated from Herba epimedii of Chinese medicine plant.It is generally used to treat osteoporosis,kidney dificiency and others.In this paper,the pharmacological effects of Icariin were summarized in the fields of anti-osteoporosis,antitumor,immunomodulation,improving reproduction,lowering blood sugar and protecting nervous system in the literatures.This paper provides a basic understanding of icariin for future studies.