Deer antler extract: Pharmacology, rehabilitation and sports medicine applications

Background: Deer antler extract (DAE) has been used for thousands of years in Asian countries for health and wellness due to its potential for immune enhancement, anti-aging, bone health, and anti-cancer. Here we reviewed previous and recent advances in deer antler extracts’ compositions and their roles in health. Methods: Databases such as the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), PubMed, and Google Scholar were used for search of literature by keywords such as “deer antler extract”, “DAE chemical compounds”, “deer antler immunomodulator”, and “DAE regeneration” and so on, and articles were selected according to their novelty, impact, and credibility by sources and then reviewed. Results: With ongoing more studies, the deer antler constituents were revealed. Recent findings indicate that deer antler extracts may be effective in anti-microbe, anti-inflammation, immune enhancing, suppressing tumor growth, and supporting wellness. Conclusion: Pharmacology research and more clinical trials result may provide more accurate information on the benefit of the antler extract and its side effects.