title: Huperzine A (shuangyiping): a promising drug for Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: Hup A, a novel alkaloid isolated from Chineses herb Huperzia serrata, is a potent and selective inhibitor of AChE, with a rapid absorption and penetration into the brain in experimental animals. The inhibition is reversible with a longer duration of action. Hup A exhibited memory-enhancing activities in a broad range of animal cognitive model. Compared to Phy, Tac, and Gal, Hup A has better therapeutic indices, and peripheral cholinergic side effects are minimal at therapeutic doses. These findings suggest that Hup A is a promising candidate for clinical development as a symptomatic treatment for AD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
authors.forename: X C
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C050426:huperzine A