{"id":2662,"date":"2023-10-05T02:21:19","date_gmt":"2023-10-05T02:21:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asip1.org\/?p=2662"},"modified":"2023-10-05T21:08:39","modified_gmt":"2023-10-05T21:08:39","slug":"how-much-icariin-equals-viagra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.asip1.org\/how-much-icariin-equals-viagra\/","title":{"rendered":"Find Out How Much Icariin Equals Viagra"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Icariin is an active compound found in the Epimedium genus, also known as horny goat weed. You’ve probably heard icariin has the potential to enhance erectile function and improve a man’s sexual performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since many men consider icariin as the natural alternative for Viagra, it’s impossible not to wonder how much icariin equals Viagra, exactly? Scroll down to learn more about this subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Icariin, which is available in natural products containing horny goat weed, has a simple and straightforward mechanism of action. Before we address how much icariin equals Viagra, it’s crucial to describe how this compound works in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Icariin works by inhibiting the activity of protein phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), an enzyme that negatively affects erectile function (1<\/a>). You see, PDE5 impairs nitric oxide levels and cGMP. To achieve erection, nitric oxide, upon sexual stimulation, signals cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cGMP is a chemical that relaxes smooth muscles to improve blood flow throughout the body, including your genital area. Blood rushes to the penis fills out the chambers, and you get an erection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When PDE5 interferes with nitric oxide and cGMP, the erectile function weakens. Icariin works to inhibit PDE5 from allowing you to improve the strength and rigidity of the erections. In turn, blood vessels dilate, and smooth muscles relax. The blood, then, fills the arteries and three chambers in the penis to give you a rock-hard erection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other words, icariin works just like Viagra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To determine how icariin compares to Viagra, we need to discuss their potencies, i.e., the IC50 value. The term IC50 refers to the half-maximal inhibitory concentration that measures a drug’s effectiveness in inhibiting a certain biological function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other words, IC50 indicates how much of the drug is necessary to cut that process by half. Logically speaking, the smaller the value, the more potent is the medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Icariin has IC50 of 5.9\u00b5M (2<\/a>), whereas sildenafil (Viagra) has IC50 of 74nM (3<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n One \u00b5M (micromolar) is equal to 1000nM (nanomolar). This means that 590nM of icariin is necessary to achieve the effects of 74nM of sildenafil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The natural form of icariin isn’t as powerful as Viagra. That being said, studies show that chemically modifying icariin can bring its IC50 value to 75nM (4<\/a>). Keep in mind that IC50 values may vary from one study to another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although more research on this subject is necessary, it’s evident that icariin can have a similar potency as Viagra after chemical improvement. At this point, it’s not clear how much icariin equals Viagra in terms of standard dosage.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow Much Icariin Equals Viagra?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n