Herba Epimedii: anti-oxidative properties and its medical implications.
Herba Epimedii is a Chinese herbal medicine with proven efficacy in treating cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis, and in improving sexual and neurological functions. This efficacy is found to be related to the potent anti-oxidative ability of Herba Epimedii and its flavonoid components, with icarrin as the main effective constituent, along with polysaccharides and vitamin C. These ingredients have been proven to be effective against oxidative-stress related pathologies (cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease and inflammation) in animal rodent models and in vitro studies. Their anti-oxidative properties are found to be related to an inductive effect on endogenous free-radical scavenging enzymes such as catalase and glutathione peroxidase and the inherent electron-donating ability of flavonoids.
School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 10 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China. stephens@hku.hk
Stephen Cho Wing
SC
Sze
Yao
Y
Tong
Tzi Bun
TB
Ng
Chris Lok Yin
CL
Cheng
Ho Pan
HP
Cheung
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D002477:Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D034181:Epimedium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology
D000975:Antioxidants; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005419:Flavonoids; D011134:Polysaccharides; D001205:Ascorbic Acid