Icariin is a PDE5 inhibitor. It is the active component of the Chinese medicinal plant E. brevicornum. It can induce differentiation of cardiomyocytes and upregulates the expression of cardiac genes. Icariin increase the proliferation and differentiation of cultured human osteoblasts, which appears to be mediated in part by upregulating bone morphogenetic protein 2 mRNA.

≥97% by HPLC

Icariin inhibits human recombinant PDE5 with an IC50 value of 5.9 µM.

Soluble in DMSO and DMF, purged with an inert gas. Solubility in DMSO and DMF is ~20 mg/ml. For maximum solubility, dissolve in DMSO and then dilute with the aqueous buffer of choice.

A crystalline solid.

Store at or below –20°C. Solid form is stable at least 12 months from date of receipt, when stored as directed. Do not store aqueous solutions for more than one day.

1. Dell’Agli, M, et al., J. Nat. Prod. 2008;71(9):1513-1517.
2. Chen, Y., et al., Pharm Res. 2008;25(9):2190-2199.
3. Ding, L., et al., Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2007;28(10):1541-1549.
4. Yin, X., et al., Chin Med J. 2007;120(3):204-210.

PDE

Inhibitor