An Overview of the Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Therapeutic Potential of Epimedium spp.

Friș, Ariana-Simina; Lazarova, Irina; Georgieva, Maya; Stana, Loredana Gabriela; Folescu, Roxana; Magyari-Pavel, Ioana Zinuca; Munteanu, Melania; Danciu, Corina

doi:10.3390/plants15142114

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An Overview of the Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Therapeutic Potential of Epimedium spp.

by

Ariana-Simina Friș

^1,2,3,

Irina Lazarova

⁴

,

Maya Georgieva

⁵

,

Loredana Gabriela Stana

^6,*,

Roxana Folescu

⁷,

Ioana Zinuca Magyari-Pavel

^1,2

,

Melania Munteanu

⁸

and

Corina Danciu

^1,2

¹

Department of Pharmacognosy-Phytotherapy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania

²

Research and Processing Centre of Medical and Aromatic Plants, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania

³

Doctoral School, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania

⁴

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Sofia, 2 Dunav Str., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria

⁵

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Sofia, 2 Dunav Str., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria

⁶

Department I, Discipline of Anatomy and Embryology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania

⁷

Department of Family Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania

⁸

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Vasile Goldiș” Western University of Arad, 310045 Arad, Romania

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Plants 2026, 15(14), 2114; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15142114

Submission received: 18 May 2026 / Revised: 4 July 2026 / Accepted: 7 July 2026 / Published: 8 July 2026

(This article belongs to the Section Phytochemistry)

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Abstract

The genus Epimedium L. comprises a group of perennial herbs widely distributed across East Asia, with five representative species that include Epimedium grandiflorum C. Morren, Epimedium brevicornu Maxim., Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim., Epimedium koreanum Nakai. and Epimedium pubescens Maxim. For centuries, these species have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for their aphrodisiac, anti-osteoporotic and estrogen-like properties in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and menopausal symptoms. The aim of this review is to present an extensive and updated synthesis of the phytochemistry, biological activities and therapeutic properties of these five species by examining the relationship between the phytochemical composition and their pharmacological properties. Phytochemical analyses indicate that Epimedium spp. are defined by their significant content of prenylated flavonol glycosides, including icariin, icaritin, icariside, baohuoside and epimedin A-C. Recent studies have confirmed that these compounds are responsible for the genus’ therapeutic potential. They possess a variety of effects, ranging from aphrodisiac and antioxidant properties to anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities, as well as neuroprotective, cardioprotective and anticancer benefits. Although preclinical findings are increasingly compelling, robust clinical evidence is still lacking for all five species. Taken together, the data summarized here position Epimedium spp. as a valuable source of bioactive prenylated flavonoids, while underscoring that standardized methodologies and rigorous clinical trials are essential to translate this potential into validated therapeutic applications.

Keywords: Epimedium; horny goat weed; prenylated flavonoids; icariin; pharmacological activity; phytochemistry; antioxidant; anticancer; pharmacokinetics; toxicology

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MDPI and ACS Style

Friș, A.-S.; Lazarova, I.; Georgieva, M.; Stana, L.G.; Folescu, R.; Magyari-Pavel, I.Z.; Munteanu, M.; Danciu, C. An Overview of the Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Therapeutic Potential of Epimedium spp. Plants 2026, 15, 2114. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15142114

AMA Style

Friș A-S, Lazarova I, Georgieva M, Stana LG, Folescu R, Magyari-Pavel IZ, Munteanu M, Danciu C. An Overview of the Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Therapeutic Potential of Epimedium spp. Plants. 2026; 15(14):2114. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15142114

Chicago/Turabian Style

Friș, Ariana-Simina, Irina Lazarova, Maya Georgieva, Loredana Gabriela Stana, Roxana Folescu, Ioana Zinuca Magyari-Pavel, Melania Munteanu, and Corina Danciu. 2026. "An Overview of the Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Therapeutic Potential of Epimedium spp." Plants 15, no. 14: 2114. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15142114

APA Style

Friș, A.-S., Lazarova, I., Georgieva, M., Stana, L. G., Folescu, R., Magyari-Pavel, I. Z., Munteanu, M., & Danciu, C. (2026). An Overview of the Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Therapeutic Potential of Epimedium spp. Plants, 15(14), 2114. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15142114

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An Overview of the Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Therapeutic Potential of Epimedium spp.

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