Description
Icaritin is a flavonoid compound found in Epimedium that exhibits anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidepressant activities; it also acts as a phytoestrogen. Icaritin may act through corticosteroid signaling, as it increases glucocorticoid receptor and BDNF mRNA in the hippocampus. In animal models of stress, icaritin prevents development of social avoidance. This compound decreases levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α as well as PPARγ, GSK-3β, MCP-1, p38 JNK, c-myc, p-ERK, and p-Akt, inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Additionally, icaritin shows benefit as a potential treatment for bone disease, at it stimulates osteogenic differentiation and inhibits adipogenesis in vitro.
References
Wu X, Wu J, Xia S, et al. Icaritin opposes the development of social aversion after defeat stress via increases of GR mRNA and BDNF mRNA in mice. Behav Brain Res. 2013 Sep 21;256C:602-608. PMID: 24064280.
Sheng H, Rui XF, Sheng CJ, et al. A novel semisynthetic molecule icaritin stimulates osteogenic differentiation and inhibits adipogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells. Int J Med Sci. 2013 Apr 23;10(6):782-9. PMID: 23630444.
Lai X, Ye Y, Sun C, et al. Icaritin exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in the mouse peritoneal macrophages and peritonitis model. Int Immunopharmacol. 2013 May;16(1):41-9. PMID: 23566810.
Li Q, Huai L, Zhang C, et al. Icaritin induces AML cell apoptosis via the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signal pathways. Int J Hematol. 2013 May;97(5):617-23. PMID: 23550021.
