Huperzine A (HUP) is derived from Chinese Club Moss (Huperia serrata). It’s a natural acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor. AChE is the enzyme that destroys acetylcholine in the synapse before it’s effectively used to help you form your thoughts, feelings and memories.

HUP helps keep your acetylcholine levels up, so your synapses can fire fast and efficiently. HUP has been shown to improve memory in young and old brains. and help protect brain cells from free radical and calcium overload. HUP also stimulates the acetylcholine receptors making them more sensitive to existing levels of ACh. HUP may also act as a brain metabolic enhancer.

References:

Sun, Q Q : Xu, S S : Pan, J L : Guo, H M : Cao, WQ. Huperzine-A capsules enhance memory and learning performance in 34 pairs of matched adolescent students. Zhongguo-Yao-Li-Xue-Bao. 1999 Jul; 20(7): 601-3

Zhou, J : Fu, Y : Tang, X C. Huperzine A and donepezil protect rat pheochromocytoma cells against oxygen-glucose deprivation. Neurosci-Lett. 2001 Jun 22; 306(1-2): 53-6

Zhou, J : Zhang, H Y : Tang, X C. Huperzine A attenuates cognitive deficits and hippocampal neuronal damage after transient global ischemia in gerbils. Neurosci-Lett. 2001 Nov 9; 313(3): 137-40

Gordon, R K : Nigam, S V : Weitz, J A : Dave, J R : Doctor, B P : Ved, H S. The NMDA receptor ion channel: a site for binding of Huperzine A. J-Appl-Toxicol. 2001 Dec; 21 Suppl 1: S47-51

Wang, R : Xiao, X Q : Tang, X C. Huperzine A attenuates hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis by regulating expression of apoptosis-related genes in rat PC12 cells. Neuroreport. 2001 Aug 28; 12(12): 2629-34

Wang, L M : Han, Y F : Tang, X C. Huperzine A improves cognitive deficits caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats. Eur-J-Pharmacol. 2000 Jun 9; 398(1): 65-72

Shang, Y Z : Ye, J W : Tang, X C. Improving effects of huperzine A on abnormal lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase in aged rats. Zhongguo-Yao-Li-Xue-Bao. 1999 Sep; 20(9): 824-8

Wang, X D : Zhang, J M : Yang, H H : Hu, G Y. Modulation of NMDA receptor by huperzine A in rat cerebral cortex. Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao. 1999 Jan;20(1):31-5

Ye, J W : Cai, J X : Wang, L M : Tang, X C. Improving effects of huperzine A on spatial working memory in aged monkeys and young adult monkeys with experimental cognitive impairment. -Pharmacol-Exp-Ther. 1999 Feb; 288(2): 814-9.