Epimedium Extract powder standardized to icariin by HPLC

Epimedium Extract 5–50% Icariin

Epimedium Extract is a standardized botanical extract powder from Epimedium species in the Berberidaceae family. Commonly traded as Horny Goat Weed Extract, it is characterized by prenylated flavonoids and standardized using icariin as the principal analytical marker for dietary supplement and botanical formulation applications.

Essencefield supplies 5%, 10%, 20%, and 50% icariin grades, quantified by HPLC. The concentration range allows formulators to select an appropriate balance between marker delivery, botanical extract loading, formula space, and finished dosage form. These grades are standardized to single-marker icariin rather than total flavonoids or combined icariins.

Ingredient Profile & Common Uses

Epimedium is a botanical genus containing multiple species used in standardized extract production. Its phytochemical profile is associated with prenylated flavonol glycosides, with icariin serving as a major commercial marker. Standardized Epimedium Extract differs from raw herb powder or simple ratio extracts because the ingredient is defined by a measured marker concentration rather than plant material alone.

The available assay levels serve different formulation needs. A 5% grade retains more non-marker botanical matrix per unit of icariin, while 10% and 20% grades provide greater marker density. The 50% grade reduces the quantity of extract required to deliver the same theoretical icariin amount, which can be useful where finished-product space is limited.

Commercial use is concentrated in standardized botanical supplements and dry nutritional formulations. Conventional extract grades are particularly compatible with capsules, tablets, and powder blends. Because icariin has poor aqueous solubility, clear liquid systems require additional formulation work around wetting, dispersion, sedimentation, and delivery-system selection.

Application Areas

Capsules

Standardized Epimedium Extract can be incorporated into hard-shell capsule formulas requiring defined icariin content. Different assay levels allow formulators to balance capsule fill weight with target marker delivery.

Tablets

Tablet formulas can use higher-assay grades to reduce botanical extract mass. Powder flow, premixing, compression behavior, and content uniformity should be evaluated during product development.

Multi-Botanical Supplements

Epimedium Extract can be combined with other standardized botanical ingredients in multi-component supplement formulas while maintaining a defined contribution of the selected analytical marker.

Powdered Supplement Systems

Dry premixes, sachets, and powdered nutritional products can incorporate the extract where complete aqueous clarity is not required. Blend uniformity becomes especially important at lower inclusion levels.

Functional Botanical Blends

The ingredient can be used in concentrated botanical systems designed around multiple standardized plant extracts, particularly where formulation control depends on defined marker concentrations rather than simple extract ratios.

Typical Specifications

Parameter	Specification / Reference
Product Name	Epimedium Extract
Common Commercial Name	Horny Goat Weed Extract
Botanical Source	Epimedium spp.
Botanical Family	Berberidaceae
Ingredient Type	Standardized botanical extract
Product Form	Extract powder
Standardization Marker	Icariin
Available Standardized Grades	5% · 10% · 20% · 50% Icariin
Assay Method	HPLC
Assay Definition	Single-marker icariin
Primary Commercial Grade	10% Icariin
Major Secondary Grade	20% Icariin
Higher-Assay Grade	50% Icariin
Marker Chemical Class	Prenylated flavonol glycoside
Icariin Reference CAS	489-32-7
Icariin Molecular Formula	C33H40O15
Icariin Molecular Weight	676.7 g/mol
Icariin Water Behavior	Poor aqueous solubility

Marker Compounds & Standardization

Icariin is a characteristic prenylated flavonol glycoside found in Epimedium species. The botanical matrix can also contain related compounds including epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C, icariside derivatives, and icaritin-related constituents.

For procurement and analytical comparison, icariin, icariins, and total flavonoids should be treated as different specification systems.

Icariin refers to an individual marker compound commonly quantified by HPLC.

Icariins may describe a defined combination of related Epimedium flavonoid glycosides.

Total flavonoids represents a broader flavonoid measurement and may use a different analytical method and reference compound.

A material specified as 20% icariin by HPLC is therefore analytically different from one described as 20% total flavonoids or 20% combined icariins. Maintaining both the analyte definition and test method is important when comparing raw materials or transferring formulations between suppliers.

The Essencefield range is based on single-marker icariin standardization by HPLC.

Technical & Quality Considerations

HPLC is particularly relevant for Epimedium standardization because the botanical matrix contains several structurally related flavonoids. Chromatographic separation allows the selected marker to be distinguished from related constituents before quantitative determination. For purchasing and QA review, the stated assay percentage should therefore be evaluated together with the analyte definition and analytical method.

The CAS number 489-32-7, molecular formula C33H40O15, and molecular weight 676.7 g/mol describe icariin as an individual chemical compound. They do not represent the complete chemical identity of Epimedium Extract, which remains a multi-component botanical mixture.

Physical performance also depends on assay strength. Lower-concentration grades contribute more extract matrix to the formulation, whereas higher-assay grades deliver the marker at lower inclusion rates. Because icariin has poor aqueous solubility, conventional powder grades may disperse but should not automatically be treated as truly water-soluble ingredients.

During scale-up, dry formulations should be evaluated for blend uniformity, powder flow, capsule filling, and tablet compression. Higher-assay grades used at low inclusion levels may require more controlled premixing. Liquid development should instead focus on wetting, dispersion, haze, sedimentation, precipitation, and compatibility with the intended delivery system.

Packaging & Commercial Supply

Essencefield supports product evaluation, formulation trials, commercial orders, and ongoing ingredient supply. Packaging, storage, and shipping arrangements are determined by product characteristics, order quantity, stability requirements, and destination-market needs.

Supply Item	General Information
Sample	Available upon request for formulation, testing, and supplier evaluation
Order Quantities	100 g · 1 kg · 5 kg · 25 kg · 100 kg · 500 kg · Bulk
Sample Lead Time	Typically 5–7 days after sample confirmation
Production Lead Time	Typically 15–30 days after order and specification confirmation
Packaging	Suitable protective inner packaging with bags, cartons, drums, or other appropriate outer packaging
Storage	Store in tightly sealed, suitable protective packaging in a cool, dry environment. Protect from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Specific storage conditions follow the approved product specification.
Documentation	COA · Product Specification · TDS · SDS · Applicable declarations (as applicable)

Final order quantities, lead times, packaging, documentation, and shipping arrangements are confirmed according to the selected product and commercial requirements.