ReviewDiabetology & metabolic syndrome2025
Preclinical evidence of the effect of icariin on diabetic nephropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Review in Diabetology & metabolic syndrome, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Icariin-loaded liposomal nanoparticles alleviate streptozotocin-induced diabetic hepatopathy associated with modulation of ferroptosis-related and inflammatory signaling.BMC pharmacology & toxicology · 2026Article
- KAN-PROSPECT: a Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks-integrated framework for predicting the effects and adverse reactions of natural products via transfer learning.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Molecular immunopharmacology of traditional Chinese medicine-derived compounds in membranous nephropathy: mechanistic insights into immune aging and kidney essence deficiency.Frontiers in immunology · 2026Review
- Osteogenic action of the natural plant material icariin and its potential use in biomedical tissue engineering.American journal of translational research · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundIcariin (ICA), a bioactive flavonoid derived from Epimedium species, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties in preclinical studies, suggesting potential therapeutic effects on diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, systematic evaluation of its efficacy remains unclear.
objectiveThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Icariin on DN by preclinical evidence and meta-analysis. Meanwhile, the main possible action mechanisms of Icariin against DN were also summarized.
methodsAs of October 1, 2024, we conducted a systematic search across seven prominent Chinese and English databases (CNKI, Wanfang, CBM, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science) to identify studies investigating the therapeutic effects of icariin on DN. PROSPERO has released a summary protocol (registration number: CRD42024564001).
resultsThis meta-analysis encompassed nine studies, involving a total of 308 animals, and revealed that icariin significantly reduced blood glucose, SCR, BUN, 24 h UP, 24 h UV, KI, MDA, and IL-1β levels, while augmenting antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and GPX). Furthermore, ICA lowered TG and TC, indicative of its potential in mitigating risk factors. However, direct comparisons between ICA and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) yielded no statistically significant differences in DN treatment outcomes (p > 0.05). The greatest effects were recorded in high-dose (> 30 mg/kg/day) groups rather than in low-dose (< 30 mg/kg/day) groups. For time-response effects, subgroup analysis indicated that intervention duration of ICA can influence the treatment effect, and more beneficial effects were observed when studies had a drug administration time of < 8 weeks.
conclusionBased on an analysis of existing experimental evidence, icariin displays promise in slowing the progression of diabetic nephropathy. To validate its anti-diabetic nephropathy efficacy with greater precision and ensure its readiness for clinical translation, further confirmatory animal studies are warranted.
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