Re: What is Huperzine A?

Amanda, 
It seems that you have picked a very interesting topic for your science 
project – one that is under active scientific study by many researchers 
worldwide.

Huperzine A is a chemical that has been isolated from the extracts of a 
traditional Chinese medicinal plant.  It is currently being investigated 
as a possible treatment for diseases characterized by neurodegeneration – 
particularly Alzheimer’s disease.  

One of the major symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is a deterioration of 
memory and other cognitive functions.  This is primarily due to a decrease 
in the amount of the neurotransmitter called acetylcholine within the 
brain.  Current pharmaceutical drugs prescribed for Alzheimer’s patients 
fall into a class of drugs called “acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.”  
Essentially what they do is block the body’s natural method of recycling 
acetylcholine, so that the low levels of acetylcholine become restored to 
a normal level.  This has the effect of improving the short term memory 
for those that have memory problems associated with the disease.  
Huperzine A has been found to work in exactly the same manner.

Preliminary clinical trials in China have shown that huperzine A is 
comparably effective to the drugs currently on the market, and may even be 
a bit safer in terms of side effects.  But at this time there doesn’t 
appear to be any clear evidence that huperzine A can be of benefit to 
healthy people.

There seems to be much written about huperzine A on the internet, but I 
would caution you about trusting much of it.  Since huperzine A is a 
natural chemical, the government does not regulate its sale.  
Consequently, there are many exaggerated claims being made on the internet 
by companies that are trying to increase their sales of this chemical.  
Trustworthy material may be hard to find.

If you wish to learn more about the scientific study of this compound, 
here are a few review articles describing current research that can help 
you get started (you will most likely have to go to a university library 
to find them.)

Bai, D. L.; Tang, X. C.; He, X. C.  “Huperzine A, a potential therapeutic 
agent for treatment of Alzheimer's disease.”    Current Medicinal 
Chemistry , 2000,  vol. 7, iss. 3,  p. 355-374.  

Tang, X. C.; He, X. C.; Bai, D. L.  “Huperzine A: a novel 
acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.”   Drugs of the Future, 1999,  vol. 24, 
iss 6,  p. 647-663.  

Kozikowski, Alan P.; Tueckmantel, Werner.  “Chemistry, Pharmacology, and 
Clinical Efficacy of the Chinese Nootropic Agent Huperzine A.”    Accounts 
of Chemical Research, 1999,  vol 32, iss 8,  p. 641-650.