Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Huperzine-A is a compound extracted from the Chinese club moss Huperzia serrata and has been investigated for its potential to support or treat Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The rationale for its use is primarily scientific, as it acts as a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, thereby increasing acetylcholine levels in the brain. This mechanism is similar to that of several approved AD drugs (such as donepezil), which are designed to alleviate symptoms by improving cholinergic transmission.

Several small randomized controlled trials (RCTs), mostly conducted in China, have reported modest improvements in cognitive function and daily living activities in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease who were treated with huperzine-A. Meta-analyses of these trials indicate some benefits, but the studies are limited by short durations, small sample sizes, and variable methodological quality. In 2013, a Cochrane review concluded that huperzine-A may have beneficial effects on cognitive function, but emphasized the low quality and heterogeneity of the evidence, and called for more rigorous large-scale studies. International guidelines do not currently recommend huperzine-A due to insufficient evidence and lack of regulatory approval.

In summary, the use of huperzine-A for Alzheimer’s Disease is supported by scientific rationale and some preliminary clinical evidence, but the overall quality and consistency of the data are not sufficient to recommend its use over approved therapies. Its evidence rating is 2 out of 5, pending further research.

More about Huperzine-A
More about Alzheimer's Disease

Other ingredients used for Alzheimer's Disease

acai berry
acetyl l-carnitine
akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
berberine
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium longum
black garlic
black tea
blueberry
broccoli
butyrate triglyceride
caffeine
cannabis sativa oil
caprylic acid
catechins
Chinese salvia root
chokeberry
choline
cinnamon
citicoline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
curcumin
cyclodextrin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fisetin
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
gamma tocopherol
genistein
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
grape
green tea
hemp oil
hesperetin
hesperidin
huperzine A
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
l-serine
l-theanine
lentinula edodes mycelia
lion's mane
lutein
luteolin
lycopene
mackerel
magnesium
marine lipid
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
melatonin
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
naringin
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
oyster mushroom
phenolic acids
phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
pomegranate
pregnenolone
butyric acid
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
selenium
sulforaphane glucosinolate
tocotrienols
trans-pterostilbene
tributyrin
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vinpocetine
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
mulberry
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
gastrodia
tinospora cordifolia
lingzhi
morus
ferulic acid
cistanche
ganoderma
royal jelly
terpene lactones
polyphenols
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
soy isoflavones
2-(carbamimidoyl-methyl-amino) ethoxyphosphonic acid
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Anserine
Avocado
Agmatine
Acetylcholine
Amentoflavone
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
Ampelopsin
Aniracetam
Apocynin
Black Seed
Bilobalide
Butylphthalide
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Bacopin
Baicalein
Benfotiamine
Basidiomycota
Brahmi
Bacopa
Bifidobacteria
bacoside
Baicalin
Caffeic Acid
Centrophenoxine
Camellia sinensis
Caryophyllene
Cinnamomum
Crocin
Carnosine
Catalpol
Cyanidin
Curcuminoid
Curcumen
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Creatine
Curcuma
C-Phycocyanin
Convolvulus prostratus
Crocetin
Cytidine
Carnosic acid
Cannabigerol
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Decursin
Dihydrolipoic Acid
epicatechin
Ellagic Acid
Ergothioneine
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Estrogen
Ecklonia
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Ketone Salts
walnut

Other health conditions supported by Huperzine-A

Alzheimer's Disease
Dementia
Memory and Brain Function
Thinking (cloudy)

Products containing Huperzine-A

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.