Natural Viagra? 'Horny goat weed' shows promise in lab studies

Move over, Viagra! Researchers in Italy report that an ancient Chinese herbal remedy known as "horny goat weed" shows potential in lab studies as source for new future drugs to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). The study, which provides scientific evidence supporting the herb's well-known use as a natural aphrodisiac, is scheduled for the October 24 issue of ACS' Journal of Natural Products.

In the new study, Mario Dell'Agli and colleagues point out that Viagra (sildenafil) and several other prescription drugs are now available for ED, or male impotence. ED affects an estimated 18 million men in the United States alone. Studies show, however, that these drugs may cause side effects such as headache, facial flushing, stomach upset, and visual disturbances.

To find better treatments, the scientists studied herbal extracts reputed to improve sexual performance. Scientists exposed the substances to an enzyme that controls blood flow to the penis and whose inhibition results in an erection. Of the extracts tested, "horny goat weed" was the most potent inhibitor of the enzyme. By chemical modification of icariin, the active ingredient purified from the extract, the scientists obtained a derivative with activity similar to Viagra and a potential for fewer side effects because it targeted the protein more precisely than sildenafil.

Article: "Potent Inhibition of Human Phosphodiesterase-5 by Icariin Derivatives"; http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/np800049y

Source: ACS

   

• Bob_B - Sep 29, 2008
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  Viagra and those others should all be sued for selling drugs to people that don't need it. It is impossible that there are that many people that NEED the drug for male impotence. If the men suffering with this problem don't know about there choices then their doctor should be sued. Instead we are marketing drugs for sex to folks that don't need it.
  
  Talk about absurd drug laws. Wait til you see your co-worker running to the restroom because his 'drug' just kicked in, totally hilarious. The sounds coming from the restroom sure don't seem like that 'special moment' the commercials suggest.
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• Truth - Sep 29, 2008
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  I agree, Bob! 3 years ago, out of pure curiosity, I tried it by lying to my doctor and telling him I needed it. Used it for two months and ABSOLUTELY got addicted it it. Would go nowhere without it. My doctor eventually saw through the lie and ordered me to STOP taking it because I didn't need it. It took all my willpower to stop and you know what, he was right. To this day I don't use it and all is just fine. Viagra, to those who don't need it, is as addictive as heroine. Think about that. Addiction is something they leave out of the ads.
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• DGBEACH - Sep 30, 2008
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  Studies show, however, that these drugs may cause side effects such as...visual disturbances.

  ...thus increasing the chances that really ugly women will actually get laid -:)
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• Oderfla - Sep 30, 2008
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  They forgot to mention death as a potential side effect. ;p
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• gardoglee - Sep 30, 2008
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  While I would disagree that this is overprescribed, one of the major inhibitors on taking it is the fact that most insurance companies don't cover any part of the cost, so each tablet can be quite expensive. Add to that the side effects, which seem both more common and more severe than any of the ads would suggest (the headache I got after each dose was like having my head in a vise for the next 12-15 hours), and you start to question whether the drug is really worth taking. If there is a potential derivative from natural sources which has fewer side effecdts, that would be great.
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