Additional benefits of Icariin
In laboratory studies, icariin appears to have anti- cancer abilities. Icariin also helps protect the liver from toxicity.

Icariin and erectile function research
Effects of icariin on intracavernosal pressure and systematic arterial blood pressure of rat
Tian L, Xin ZC, Yuan YM, Fu J, Liu WJ, Wang LL.
Department of Urology, People's Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China.
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2004 Jan;84(2):142-5.
To test the effect of icariin on erectile function of the penis. Our test results indicate cariin increases intracavernous pressure. For more information on impotence in males.

Icariin and osteoporosis
Icaritin and its glycosides enhance osteoblastic, but suppress osteoclastic, differentiation and activity in vitro.
Life Sci. 2007 August. Department of Chemical Biology, Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, PR China.
Icariin, a principal flavonoid glycoside in Herba Epimedii, is hypothesized to possess beneficial effects on bone mass. Icariin is metabolized to icariside II and then to icaritin in vivo. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro effects of icariin, icariside II and icaritin on both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Our findings suggest that icaritin, which was more potent than icariin and icariside II, enhanced the differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts, and facilitated matrix calcification; meanwhile it inhibited osteoclastic differentiation in both osteoblast-preosteoclast coculture and osteoclast progenitor cell culture, and reduced the motility and bone resorption activity of isolated osteoclasts.

Icariin and testosterone
The testosterone mimetic properties of icariin.
Asian J Androl. 2006 Sep;8(5):601-5. Epub 2006 Jun 5. Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China.
To evaluate the testosterone mimetic properties of icariin. Forty-eight healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats at the age of 15 months were randomly divided into four groups with 12 rats each: the control group (C), the model group (M), the icariin group and the testosterone group. Icariin improved the condition of reproductive organs and increased the circulating levels of testosterone. Icariin treatment also improved the steady-state serum bone Gla protein and might have promoted bone formation. At the same time, it decreased the serum levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity in serum, and might have reduced the bone resorption. Icarrin suppressed the extent of apoptosis of penile cavernosal smooth muscle cells. Icariin has testosterone mimetic properties and has therapeutic potential in the management of hypoandrogenism.