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Epimedium sagittatum Sieb. et Zucc. Scientific name: Epimedium sagittatum Sieb. et Zucc. Family: Berberidaceae Genus: Epimedium Species: sagittatum Synonyms: Aceranthus sagittatus Siebold. & Zucc, Epimedium sinense Siebold. ex Hance. Common name: Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat, Fairy Wings, Horny Goatweed Part of plant: Leaves Plant Description: The perennial plant grows to about 0.5 m by 0.4 m. The leaf is in the shape of an arrowhead, thus the word "sagittatum," which means arrowhead shaped. It is in flower from May to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). The plant can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It requires dry or moist soil.Horny Goat Weed is a low growing, deciduous perennial with leathery leaves (up to 1 foot long) spreading by underground stems. The flowers of this plant are 1 to 2 inches wide, resemble a bishop's hat (pendent-shaped), have long spurs, and come in various colors (purple, pink, yellow or white). Chemical constituents: Epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C and baohuoside,Iicariin, along with prenylatedflavonol glycosides sagittasine A-C, acylatedflavonol glycosides such as kaempferol, together with flavonolignans, 2-phenoxychromones, a lignan, and aromatic acid derivatives.

Structures of isolated chemical constituents of E. sagittatum

Icariin Epimedin A

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Epimedin B Epimedin C

Baohuoside Kaempferol Mechanism of Action: E. sagittatumcan inhibit an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE). AChE rapidly stops neurotransmission at cholinergic synapses like those found in the brain and at neuromuscular junctions, which are needed for speedy responses in the neuromuscular system. Action of herb: Anti-rheumatic, aphrodisiac, carminative, expectorant, ophthalmic, tonic and vasodilator, anti-proliferative, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, Uses: Used as a kidney tonic, it also treats sterility and barrenness. It is taken internally in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, cold or numb extremities, arthritis, lumbago, impotence, involuntary and premature ejaculation, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction and absentmindedness. It should be used with some caution since in excess it can cause vomiting, dizziness, thirst and nosebleeds. The plant is harvested in the growing season and dried for later use. Side effects & toxicity: Dizziness, dry mouth, thirst or vomiting when taking E. sagittatum. Very high doses might cause dilated pupils, muscle spasms and cramps, rapid heartbeat, palpitations, hyperactivity and respiratory depression. An allergic reaction to E. sagittatum is possible, with signs of a rash, hives, itching, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and facial, mouth or throat swelling. Contraindications: Young children, pregnancy and lactation. Contra-indicated in patients with hormone related cancers, low blood pressure, cardiovascular conditions; liver or kidney diseases. Dosages: A typical dose of horny goat weed is 250-1,000 mg daily.

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Drug interactions: It is possible that Epimedium could interact with prescription stimulant drugs, anti-depressants Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, heart medications, blood pressure medications, and erectile dysfunction medicines such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. Caution is advised when mixing herbal remedies with prescription medications. Horny goat weed seems to decrease blood pressure. Taking horny goat weed along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others. Horny goat weed might slow blood clotting. Taking horny goat weed along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others. High Performance Liquid Chromatography of E. sagittatum In HPLC study carried out by following peaks were observed in the chromatogram: Kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside, hexandraside F, epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C, icariin, epimedoside C, baohuoside II, caohuoside C, baohuoside VII, sagittatoside A, sagittatoside B, 2”-O-rhamnosyl icariside II, baohuoside I.

Figure: HPLC Chromatogram of E. sagittatum

DNA Sequence Assembly and Composition of E. sagittatum DNA sequencing was carried out by Liu et al. (2013). See the table below.

Table: Details of the sequence composition of nuclear DNA sequences

Liu D, Zeng SH, Chen JJ, Zhang YJ, Xiao G, Zhu LY, Wang Y. 2013.First insights into the large genome of

Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb.et Zucc.) Maxim, a chinese traditional medicinal plant. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 14: 13559-13576.

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Analysis of chromosomal number of E. sagittatum E. sagittatum cells chromosome counts of metaphase revealed a chromosome number of 2n = 2x = 12.

Figure: Root-tip mitotic metaphase chromosomes of E. sagittatum 2n = 2x = 12 are shown. Scale bar = 5µm.

Liu D, Zeng SH, Chen JJ, Zhang YJ, Xiao G, Zhu LY, Wang Y. 2013.First insights into the large genome of Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb.et Zucc.) Maxim, a chinese traditional medicinal plant. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 14: 13559-

13576. Anti-osteoporosis activity of E. sagittatum Nian et al. (2006) research work revealed that ovariectomy rats developed bone changes similar to those observed in estrogen deficient osteoporotic women most evidently a decrease in bone density. E. sagittatum was found to be effective in preventing bone loss and estrogen deficiency for treatment of osteoporosis. Neuro-protective effect of E. sagittatum Neuro-protective effects of icaritin, an active constituent of E. sagittatum was studied by Wand et al. (2007) against beta amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultured rat neuronal cells via estrogen-dependent pathway. Effects of E. sagittatum on male sex characteristics Makarova et al. (2007) studied the effect of hydroalcholic extract of E. sagittatum which is believed to produce aphrodisiac effects and is commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine to enhance erectile function. References: Chen KK, Chiu JH. Effect of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim extract on elicitation of penile erection in the rat.

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Chen X, Zhou M, Wang J et al. Effect of Epimedium sagittatum on soluble IL-2 receptor and IL-6 levels in patients undergoing hemodialysis [in Chinese]. Zhonghua Nei KeZaZhi . 1995;34:102-104.

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Chiu JH, Chen KK, Chien TM, Chiou WF, Chen CC, Wang JY, Lui WY, Wu CW. Epimedium brevicornum Maxim extract relaxes rabbit cEC50orpus cavernosum through multitargets on nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate signaling pathway.Int J Impot Res. 2006 Jul-Aug;18(4):335-42. Epub 2006 Jan 5. PMID: 16395327

Jiang Z, Hu B, Wang J, Tang Q, Tan Y, Xiang J, Liu J. et al. Effect of icariin on cyclic GMP levels and on the mRNA expression of cGMP-binding c GMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE5) in penile cavernosum. Journal of Huazhong University Scientific Technology Medical Science.(2006);26(4):460-2.

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Liao HJ, Chen XM, Li WG, et al. Effect of Epimedium sagittatum on quality of life and cellular immunity in patients of hemodialysis maintenance [in Chinese]. ZhongguoZhong Xi Yi Jie He ZaZhi . 1995;15:202-4.

Lin CC, Ng LT, Hsu FF, et al. Cytotoxic effects of Coptischinensis and Epimedium sagittatum extracts and their major constituents (berberine, coptisine and icariin) on hepatoma and leukaemia cell growth. ClinExpPharmacolPhysiol . 2004;31:65-69.

Liu F, Ding G, Li J, et al. Effects of Epimedium sagittatum Maxim.polysaccharides on DNA synthesis of bone marrow cells of "yang deficiency" animal model caused by hydroxyurea [in Chinese]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao ZaZhi . 1992;16:620-622, inside back cover.

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Meng FH, Li YB, Xiong ZL, et al. Osteoblastic proliferative activity of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim. Phytomedicine . 2005;12:189-193.

Nian H, Xu LL, Ma MH, Qin LP, Zheng HC, Zhang QY. 2006. Prevention of bone loss by aqueous extract of Epimedii sagittatumin an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis. J Chin Integr Med; 4(6): 628-633.

Ning H, Xin ZC, Lin G, Banie L, Lue TF, Lin CS. 2006. Effects of icariin on phosphodiesterase-5 activity in vitro and cyclic guanosine monophosphate level in cavernous smooth muscle cells. Urology. 68(6): 1350–1354.

Ning, H., Xin, Z., Lin, G., Banie, L., Lue, T.F., Lin, C., et al. Effects of icariin on phosphodiesterase-5 activity in vitro and cyclic guanosine monophosphate level in cavernous smooth muscle cells. Urology,(2006) 68(6), 1350-4.

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Yap SP, Shen P, Butler MS, et al. New estrogenic prenylflavone from Epimedium brevicornum inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells. PlantaMed . 2005;71:114-119.

Zhang CZ, Wang SX, Zhang Y, et al. In vitro estrogenic activities of Chinese medicinal plants traditionally used for the management of menopausal symptoms. J Ethnopharmacol . 2005;98:295-300.

Zhang G, Qin L, Shi Y. Epimedium-derived phytoestrogen flavonoids exert beneficial effect on preventing bone loss in late postmenopausal women: a 24-month randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. J Bone Miner Res .2007 Apr 9 [Epub ahead of print].