- Huperzine A is a chemical compound known as an alkaloid. It is derived from the club moss Huperzia serrata, which is a member of the Lycopodium genus. It was first isolated in the 1940s.
- In China, huperzine A is popular for its role in maintaining and enhancing memory. In traditional health practices, it has been brewed into teas and used for the treatment of fevers, inflammation, swelling, and various mental disorders, such as schizophrenia.
- Currently, huperzine A is available in China as a prescription drug for Alzheimer's disease. In the West, huperzine A has not been widely developed as a drug due to its declining natural sources and legal property protection by Chinese scientists. In the United States and Europe, huperzine A is marketed as a nonprescription diet supplement to aid memory.
- Early research in humans has shown promising results for the use of huperzine A for Alzheimer's disease. In China, human research is currently being conducted in this area. Further research in humans is being funded by the National Institute of Health in the United States.
- Limited research also suggests that huperzine A may play a role in protecting neurons against vascular injury and organophosphate nerve gas. However, further research is needed in these areas.
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Huperzinea
Contents
- Chow TW. Review: insufficient evidence on huperzine A for Alzheimer's. Evid Based Ment Health 2008;11(4):112. View Abstract
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- Zhang HY, Tang XC. Neuroprotective effects of huperzine A: new therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative disease. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2006;27(12):619-625. View Abstract
- Zhang HY, Yan H, Tang XC. Non-cholinergic effects of huperzine A: beyond inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2008;28(2):173-183. View Abstract
- Zhang ZJ, Tong Y, Wang XY, et al. Huperzine A as add-on therapy in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia: an open-labeled trial. Schizophr Res 2007;92(1-3):273-275. View Abstract
- Zhang Z, Wang X, Chen Q, et al. [Clinical efficacy and safety of huperzine alpha in treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer disease, a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial]. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2002;82(14):941-944. View Abstract
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