Icariin stimulates osteogenic differentiation and suppresses adipogenic differentiation of rBMSCs via estrogen receptor signaling

Icariin (ICA) is a major active ingredient in Herba epimedii, which is commonly used as a Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of osteoporosis. Previous studies have revealed that ICA exerted a protective effect against bone loss and increased bone regeneration; however, the association between ICA and estrogen receptor (ER) signaling remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of ICA on rat bone marrow stromal...