Huperzine A Research
40 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7.5/10
Huperzine A for Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Xing SH et al. • Phytomedicine (2022)
Huperzine A significantly improved cognitive function scores in patients with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
- Significant improvement in MMSE scores compared to placebo (WMD: 2.27)
- Benefits observed in both Alzheimer's and vascular dementia
- Favorable safety profile with fewer side effects than conventional AChE inhibitors
The treatment of cognitive dysfunction in dementia: a multiple treatments meta-analysis
Perng CH et al. • Psychopharmacology (2018)
The most effective intervention for dementia available is symptomatic treatment for vascular dementia.
- The pooled standardized mean difference of the treatment effects on cognitive dysfunction was 0.439 (95% confidence interval 0.374, 0.504).
- The most effective intervention for dementia available is symptomatic treatment for vascular dementia.
- Antipsychotic treatment for dementia alleviates cognitive dysfunction less effectively than does symptomatic treatment.
Traditional Chinese herbal medicine for vascular dementia
Chan ES et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2018)
We found moderate- to very low-quality evidence of benefit and harm of TCHMs for VaD.
- Two TCHMs (NaoMaiTai and TongXinLuo) had a 5% or more increased risk of AEs compared to the 'no Treatment' control, but the quality of this evidence was poor.
- We found moderate- to very low-quality evidence of benefit and harm of TCHMs for VaD.
- Methodological inadequacies need to be addressed by better conducted and reported trials.
Huperzine A for Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Yang G et al. • PloS one (2013)
Huperzine A appears to have beneficial effects on improvement of cognitive function, daily living activity, and global clinical assessment in participants with Alzheimer's disease.
- Huperzine A appears to have beneficial effects on improvement of cognitive function, daily living activity, and global clinical assessment in participants with Alzheimer's disease.
- However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the poor methodological quality of the included trials.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Evaluating computational and experimental approaches in early-stage Alzheimer's drug discovery: a systematic review
Azmal M et al. • Journal of computer-aided molecular design (2025)
The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
- Computational approaches significantly expedite the identification and optimization of AD drug candidates by enabling the rapid screening of extensive compound libraries.
- These methods, when combined with experimental validations, offer deeper molecular-level insights into drug interactions and mechanisms.
- However, challenges such as predictive accuracy and data quality remain, necessitating further advancements in computational models and data integration to improve the predictability and effectiveness of AD therapeutics.© 2025.
The Chemistry and Biology of Lycopodium Alkaloids
Zhang ZJ et al. • Chemistry & biodiversity (2024)
This review is the first time covered the biological activity of the all LAs.© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Because the total amount of LAs is nearly five times that of 1994, the classification and group allocation of some newly isolated LAs is often challenging and not unambiguous by Ayer's simple classification.
- This review makes a more systematic and detailed classification for it and provides extensive coverage of naturally occurring LAs discovered from 1881 to December 2023.
- Until now, there is no comprehensively summary of biological activity of the LAs.
Efficacy and Safety of Huperzine A in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: An Updated Meta-Analysis
Wang BS et al. • Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (2020)
Huperzine A produced clinically meaningful cognitive improvements with a favorable risk-benefit profile.
- Statistically significant improvements in ADAS-Cog scores
- Dose of 300-500mcg daily showed optimal results
- GI side effects were the most common but generally mild and transient
The Efficacy and Safety of Alzheimer's Disease Therapies: An Updated Umbrella Review
Fan F et al. • Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD (2022)
Our study demonstrated that AChE inhibitors, Ginkgo biloba, and cerebrolysin are the optimum cognitive and activities of daily living medication for patients with AD.
- Our study demonstrated that AChE inhibitors, Ginkgo biloba, and cerebrolysin are the optimum cognitive and activities of daily living medication for patients with AD.
- Published in Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD (2022)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Interventions to delay functional decline in people with dementia: a systematic review of systematic reviews
Laver K et al. • BMJ open (2016)
Healthcare professionals should ensure that people with dementia are encouraged to exercise and that primary carers are trained and supported to provide safe and effective care for the person with dementia.
- The quality of the reviews varied; however most (65%) scored 8/11 or more on the AMSTAR tool, indicating high quality.
- Healthcare professionals should ensure that people with dementia are encouraged to exercise and that primary carers are trained and supported to provide safe and effective care for the person with dementia.
- Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or memantine should be trialled unless contraindicated.
Over the Counter Supplements for Memory: A Review of Available Evidence
Hersant H et al. • CNS drugs (2023)
The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
- More rigorous studies are needed relative to the long-term use of these supplements in homogenous populations with standardized measurements of cognition.
- Health care providers need to be aware of any and all supplements their older adult patients may be consuming and be educated about their side effects and interactions with prescription medications.
- Lastly, the FDA needs to take an active position relative to monitoring marketed supplements regarding safety, purity and claims of efficacy.© 2023.
Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease: An Updated Overview Focusing on Emerging Pharmaceutical Treatment Approaches
Degirmenci Y et al. • Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) (2023)
Finally, we aim to provide additional insights and propose new ideas for investigation that may be feasible and effective for the spectrum of PD-related cognitive impairment.
- In this updated overview, we aim to cover the clinical aspects of the spectrum of PD-related cognitive impairment and discuss recent evidence on emerging treatment approaches that are under investigation at a preclinical and clinical level.
- Published in Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) (2023)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Ginkgolides and Huperzine A for complementary treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Villegas C et al. • IUBMB life (2022)
The purpose of this review is to expose the positive results of intervention with EGb 761® and Huperzine in patients with mild to moderate AD in the last 10 years, highlighting the pharmacological functions that justify their use in AD therapy.© 2022 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
- Currently, there is no successful pharmacological treatment for AD.
- The few approved drugs are mainly aimed at treating the symptoms; however, due to the increasing discovery of etiopathological factors, there are great efforts to find new multifunctional molecules to slow down the course of this neurodegenerative disease.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Dietary Nutrients and Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease
Chauhan PS et al. • CNS & neurological disorders drug targets (2022)
This review discusses the therapeutical potential of several key nutrients that have been researched for treating AD treatment and the method of their neuroprotective intervention.Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.
- These elements promote cell health, regeneration, and the anti-aging process that specifically interrupt the pathogenic pathways in AD development.
- Fortunately, incorporating changes in the nutritional content is inexpensive, easy, acceptable, safe, effective, and in most cases, free from major adverse events.
- Many nutritional phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids are still being evaluated in the hope of identifying a successful therapy for AD.
Huperzine A and Its Neuroprotective Molecular Signaling in Alzheimer's Disease
Friedli MJ et al. • Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2021)
Our goal is to provide an integrated overview of the molecular mechanisms through which HupA affects AD.
- The effects of this alkaloid have been attributed to its ability to inhibit the cholinergic enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), acting as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI).
- The biological functions of HupA have been studied both in vitro and in vivo, and its role in neuroprotection appears to be a good therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer´s disease (AD).
- Our goal is to provide an integrated overview of the molecular mechanisms through which HupA affects AD.
The effect of anti-dementia drugs on Alzheimer disease-induced cognitive impairment: A network meta-analysis
Cui CC et al. • Medicine (2019)
Evaluation of the clinically common anti-dementia drugs using NMA affirmed the utility of cholinesterase inhibitors, especially donepezil, in alleviating cognitive dysfunction of patients with AD.
- Evaluation of the clinically common anti-dementia drugs using NMA affirmed the utility of cholinesterase inhibitors, especially donepezil, in alleviating cognitive dysfunction of patients with AD.
- This study may therefore help to inform the clinical selection of pharmacotherapeutic interventions addressing cognitive dysfunction in patients with AD.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Recent Updates in Imperative Natural Compounds for Healthy Brain and Nerve Function: A Systematic Review of Implications for Multiple Sclerosis
Sanadgol N et al. • Current drug targets (2017)
Further studies with a focus on the molecular mechanisms of the protective natural compounds are needed to decrease possible side effects and to develop new medicines for MS.
- Further studies with a focus on the molecular mechanisms of the protective natural compounds are needed to decrease possible side effects and to develop new medicines for MS.
- Apigenin, chrysin, baicalein, cyanidin, flavone glycoside, daidzein, coumestrol, sulforaphane, bee venom and huperzine A are the candidates for more prospective investigations.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Huperzine A for mild cognitive impairment
Yue J et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2012)
The currently available evidence is insufficient to assess the potential for huperzine A in the treatment of MCI.
- The currently available evidence is insufficient to assess the potential for huperzine A in the treatment of MCI.
- Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trials are needed.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
[Efficacy and safety of huperzine A in treating patients with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and Meta-analysis]
Huang P et al. • Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (2019)
Due to the low quality of original studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify its efficacy.
- The Meta-analysis results showed that compared with placebo, Huperzine significantly increased the scores of memory quotient(MQ) and mini-mental state examination(MMSE).
- However, there was no statistical difference between oral tablet and capsule.
- Compared with placebo, huperzine A was superior in the scores of MQ and MMSE.
Identification of the optimal cognitive drugs among Alzheimer's disease: a Bayesian meta-analytic review
Liang J et al. • Clinical interventions in aging (2018)
As the first NMA comparing the major drugs in market for AD, our study suggests that memantine might have a more significant benefit on cognition than other five drugs available.
- As the first NMA comparing the major drugs in market for AD, our study suggests that memantine might have a more significant benefit on cognition than other five drugs available.
- Published in Clinical interventions in aging (2018)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Pharmacotherapy for Vascular Cognitive Impairment
Farooq MU et al. • CNS drugs (2017)
However, there is a need for more robust clinical trials focusing on executive function and other cognitive measures and incorporation of newer imaging modalities to provide additional evidence about the utility of these strategies in patients with VCI.
- The benefits of other drugs such as rivastigmine, memantine, nimodipine, and piracetam are not clear.
- Some other supplements and herbal therapies, such as citicoline, actovegin, huperzine A, and vinpocetine, have also been studied in patients with VaD, but their beneficial effects are not well established.
- Non-drug therapies and lifestyle modifications such as diet, exercise, and vascular risk factor control are important in the management of VCI and should not be ignored.