Huperzine A supplement
benefit and side effects, safety, dosage by
Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Huperzine A is discussed in
Mind Boosters, a
guide to natural supplements that enhance memory and mood
Huperzine A is an extract from a club moss (Huperzia serrata) that has been
used for centuries in Chinese folk medicine. Huperzine's action has been attributed to its
ability to strongly inhibit acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down
acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft. Acetylcholine is involved in memory
and learning. By inhibiting the enzyme that breaks it down, more acetylcholine becomes
available to stimulate neurons.
Alzheimer’s disease is a condition where there’s
a relative shortage of acetylcholine.
Several studies have been done over the past
few years with huperzine A both in China and the United States. These studies have shown
that Huperzine A is many times more effective and selective than tacrine (a
cholinesterase-inhibiting pharmaceutical drug) in inhibiting cholinesterase (Cheng 1996).
Huperzine A has also been found to be beneficial in patients with Alzheimer’s
disease. Scientists at Zhejiang Medical University, in Hangzhou, China administered 200
mcg
of huperzine A to fifty patients with Alzheimer’s disease for a period of eight weeks
and compared the results to a group who received placebo pills (Xu 1995). The study was
done in a double blind, placebo controlled and randomized manner. The results showed 58
percent of the patients treated with huperzine A had improvements in memory, cognition,
and behavioral functions whereas only 36 percent of those on placebo improved. No severe
side effects were found. Blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram,
electroencephalogram, liver and urine tests did not show any major abnormalities. The
researchers say, "Huperzine A is a promising drug for symptomatic treatment of
Alzheimer's disease."
Huperzine A, 50 mcg dosage
Life Enhancement
Huperzine A is a phytonutrient that helps maintain proper memory function. It
accomplishes this by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a process that
accelerates with aging. Acetylcholine plays a vital role in the cognitive
function of the mind by enabling the delivery of messages from neuron to neuron
in your brain.
Huperzine A Supplement Facts:
Huperzine A - 50 mcg*
Suggested Use: For adults only. Take half or 1 huperzine capsule in the morning, or as
directed by your physician. Do not take more than one week without medical
supervision. We recommend frequent breaks since it can accumulate in the body.
* Huperzine A daily value not established
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research as it becomes available.
Mind Power Rx - Formulated by Ray
Sahelian, M.D.
Mind Power Rx is a sophisticated cognitive formula. It combines a delicate
balance of brain circulation agents and neurotransmitter precursors with
powerful natural brain chemicals that support:
• Memory
• Mental clarity
• Concentration
• Alertness & Focus
The herbs in Mind Power Rx include: Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Fo-Ti,
Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng, Gotu kola, Mucuna pruriens, Reishi, and
Rhodiola. The nutrients and
vitamins in Mind Power Rx include Acetyl-l-carnitine, Carnitine, Carnosine,
Choline, DMAE, Inositol, Methylcobalamin, Pantothenic acid, Trimethylglycine,
Tyrosine, and Vinpocetine.
Mind Power Rx does not have huperzine A
Potency of Huperzine A
I was surprised to come across a study on rat brain that showed huperzine
A to be several times more potent than other acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
drugs such as donepezil and
rivastigmine
currently available on the market for the treatment of Alzheimer's
disease.
Benefits
Huperzine A may benefit those with Alzheimer's disease and perhaps also benefit
older individuals with dementia. The role of huperzine as a mind booster in young
individuals is not clear at this time.
Huperzine A caution, side effect, safety
Continuous use of high doses of huperzine A --such as 100 mcg or more-- may be toxic. Due to its strong anticholinesterase
activity, huperzine a could cause a cholinergic reaction. Huperzine side effects could include
sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and cramps.
Huperzine A dosage and
frequency of breaks
Q. If I take Huperzine A supplement for a week, how long of a break should
I give myself before restarting it? You said it builds up in the body. Are we
talking about the liver, kidneys? During the break, should I take something to
build up or cleanse the liver? Can Huperzine A be taken at the same time as Mind
Power Rx?
A. The best way to determine the ideal dosage for any one person is
to take Huperzine A over a few days and determine what effects you notice. Then
you can tell whether you need to take a break or not. If you get some of the
huperzine A supplement side effects such as nausea, sweating, dizziness, etc,
then it is time to take a break. Rather than taking another supplement to
counteract the side effects from this herbal extract, it is best to take a break
from it. We suggest not taking Mind Power Rx the same day as a huperzine a pill.
Huperzine A and
cholinesterase inhibitors Aricept, Reminyl or Exelon.
Many people who take the cholinesterase inhibitors Aricept, Reminyl
or Exelon want to know if they can combine these meds with Huperzine A
supplements
Q. Is is generally considered appropriate or safe to take Hyperzine A
whilst also taking a cholinesterase inhibitor (either Aricept, Reminyl or
Exelon)?
A. We don't suggest taking them the same day. It is best to try
each one separately for a couple of weeks to determine the benefits and
side effects of the medication and the benefits and side effects of
Huperzine A. Once a person has a full understanding of how each of these
drugs works and how the Huperzine A supplement works, then it is possible,
under medical supervision, to combine them in very low dosages. It is not
possible to predict what dosages will turn out to be appropriate. Another
option is to alternate their use.
Huperzine A Research studies
Huperzine A.
Drugs R D. 2004;5(1):44-5.
Huperzine A, an alkaloid isolated from Huperzia serrata, is a putative
nootropic agent developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Huperzine A is
currently in phase III trials in China for the treatment of patients with
Alzheimer's disease. The mechanism of action of huperzine A is suggested to be
facilitated through the slow reversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase.
Marco Hi-Tech Joint Venture has exclusive worldwide marketing and distribution
rights to huperzine A. Marco Hi-Tech Joint Venture is a corporation principally
owned by Hi-Tech Pharmacal and Marco International, a global trading and finance
firm formed to import huperzine A from China. Marco Hi-Tech Joint Venture also
has rights to synthetic analogues of huperzine A. In July 2003, Savient
Pharmaceuticals acquired the exclusive rights from Marco Hi-Tech to market
huperzine A in Europe and the US. Clinical trials of huperzine A in elderly
patients with age-associated memory loss are underway in the US, and a phase II
study funded by an NCI grant is being planned.
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 Jul 25;82(14):941-4.
To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of huperzine Alpha in
treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease (AD). METHODS: Two
hundred and two patients with the diagnosis of possible or probable AD from 15
centers the nationwide were randomly divided into two groups: huperzine Alpha
group (n = 100, given huperzine Alpha 400 micro g/day for 12 weeks) and placebo
group (n = 102 ). Different scales were used to evaluate the cognitive function,
activity of daily life (ADL), non-cognitive disorders, and overall clinical
efficacy. Safety evaluation was conducted every 6 weeks. In comparison
with the baseline data, there was an improvement of 4.6 points in cognition
assessed by ADAS-Cog (P = 0.000); an improvement of 2.7 points by MMSE, an improvement of 1.5 points in behavior and mood by ADAS-non-Cog with 59% of the patients being on the mend clinically; and an
improvement of 2.4 points by ADL with the capacity of ADL improved
by at least 10% among 32% of the patients. 70% of the patients in huperzine
Alpha group scored 1 approximately 3 points, and 28% of them scored 1
approximately 2 points by CIBIC-plus. The proportions of patients with an
improvement of >/= 4 points by ADAS-Cog were 56.1% and 12% in the huperzine
Alpha group and placebo group respectively. The proportions of
patients with an improvement of >/= 4 points by MMSE were 38% and 10% in the huperzine Alpha group and placebo group respectively. The
proportions of patients with an improvement of 1 approximately 3 points in
global rating by CIBIC-plus were 59.2% and 40.6% in the huperzine Alpha group
and placebo group respectively. The proportions of patients with an
improvement of >/= 10% points by ADL were 32% and 17% in the huperzine Alpha
group and placebo group respectively. The proportions of patients
with an improvement of > 0 points by ADS-non-C0g were 70% and 36% in the huperzine Alpha group and placebo group respectively. Mild and
transient adverse events (edema of bilateral ankles and insomnia) were observed
in 3% of huperzine Alpha treated patients. A safe and effective
medicine, huperzine Alpha remarkably improves the cognition, behavior, ADL, and
mood of AD patients.
Huperzine A Animal Studies
Comparative effects of huperzine A, donepezil and rivastigmine on
cortical acetylcholine level and acetylcholinesterase activity in rats.
Neurosci Lett. 2004 May 6;361(1-3):56-9.
The cholinesterase inhibitors huperzine A, donepezil and rivastigmine were
compared for their effects on extracellular acetylcholine concentration and
acetylcholinesterase activity in the rat cortex. After i.p. injection, huperzine
A (0.25-0.75 micromol/kg), donepezil (2-6 micromol/kg) and rivastigmine
(0.75-1.5 micromol/kg) dose-dependently elevated the concentration of
acetylcholine. The duration of huperzine A was longest. The time courses of
cortical acetylcholinesterase inhibition with middle doses of these agents
mirrored the increases of acetylcholine at the same doses. However,
acetylcholinesterase inhibition was disproportionately greater after middle dose
of rivastigmine than doses of huperzine A and donepezil that increased
acetylcholine to a similar extent. Muscle fasciculation appeared only after
donepezil with a dose-dependent incidence and intensity. In molar terms,
huperzine A was 8- and 2-fold more potent than donepezil and rivastigmine,
respectively, in increasing cortical acetylcholine levels, with a longer-lasting
effect.
Huperzine A
supplement emails
Q. Is
Huperzine's effect cumulative?
A. Since huperzine has a long half life, my best guess is that the
effects are cumulative.
Q. Two years ago I lost my memory...(no Alzheimer's in our
family!)I am 56 and have been menopausal for ten years now and have been using homeopathic
remedies only...My life has been filled with many sources of stress which seemed to make
it even more difficult. I seem to have lost my short term memory these past two years and
was in a fog when trying to 'pull up' information...I took phosphatidyl serene for two
years with little results and stumbled on a site on Huperzine.( I no longer take the PPS
)I have been taking Huperzine for about three months...50 mcg a day and noticed quite an
improvement but I was BY NO MEANS back to my old self. I would have to rely on notes to my
self which I would forget I wrote. My life has been changed since I found a site that
offered that I need to take 200 mcg twice a day. I AM NOW BACK TO MY OLD SELF......I
certainly hope this is not too much !
A. Little research is available on the long term use of huperzine, it would be best to be
monitored by a medical professional.