MAXIMUM MEMORY SUPPORT

The following discussion represents a theory of action based on existing, published science. 

It is not intended as substantiation for any structure/function claims.

General

Huperzine A is an herbal extract of club moss and is an example of a natural product that has demonstrated an excellent potential for memory support as related to benign senescent amnesia and, more importantly, Alzhemier's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is believed to be attributed to aging and, as the population lives longer, it is becoming a common ailment among the elderly. Ten percent of the US population between the ages of 80 and 85 reportedly suffer from Alzheimer's with the percentage increasing to 25% for those over 85 years of age. Alzheimer's is a chronic and progressively degenerative neurological disorder characterized by dementia and behavioral symptoms that severely reduces the quality of life of both the victim and the immediate family.

It has been shown that a severe deficiency of acetylcholine transferase and a decrease in the synthesis of acetylcholine represent the most prominent neurochemical changes that occur with Alzheimer's. The concentration of acetylcholine, however, can be increased by inhibiting the production of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), thus relieving certain symptoms such as cognition. A number of such inhibitors have been developed. Two of which, tacrine (Cognex) and donepezil (E2020; Aricept), are FDA approved for the symptomatic treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease in the US.

Supporting Research

Research in China has revealed that Huperzine-A is a potent reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase. Further studies at Weizmann Institute of Sciences in Rehovol, Israel and Georgetown University in Washington suggest that Huperzine-A is even more potent than either tacrine or donepezil. As reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association on March 12, 1997, Huperzine-A appears to be more selective and possibly less toxic that either of the FDA approved drugs. Compared to tacrine and donepezil, Huperzine-A has a longer half-life and the AChE-HupA complex has a slower rate of dissociation, which may make it a more effective therapeutic agent.

Reports from China, where an estimated 100,000 people have been treated with Huperzine-A, further support the contention that the extract has low toxicity. In fact, since the herb is a traditional Chinese medication and used for generations, it may be reasonably believed to be safe without excessive application and marketed as a dietary supplement under DSHEA.

Purity

High quality Huperzine A is available in powder form with a minimum purity of 98%. The high purity product is normally triturated (uniformly diluted) by spraying onto an inert substrate such as calcium carbonate to give a finished concentration of 1% or 0.1%. This is necessary in order for the dietary supplement formulator to get accurate finished fill weights of Huperzine A in their pill or capsule.

Low quality Huperzine A is also sold as 1% and 5% crude extracts. It is important to note that these crude extracts have not been purified and contain other alkaloids and chemicals with unknown biochemical properties.

Dosage

The literature reports that the effective daily dosage of Huperzine A to be in the 200 to 400 microgram range. Most dietary supplement manufacturers are formulating capsules and tablets containing 50 to 100 micrograms.

Safety

Acute toxicity testing on mice and long term toxicity testing on dogs, showed Huperzine A (98% minimum purity) to be well tolerated at the recommended dosage levels. Human testing at daily dosages ranging from 200 to 600 micrograms per day for a five week period, showed no statistically significant side effects. Laboratory tests before and after treatment showed no differences with respect to Hemoglobin, white blood cell count, liver function, electrocardiogram, and electroencephalogram.

Technical Information

HUPERZINE A
Toxicity & Side Effects

The following information has been supplied by the pharmaceutical manufacturer and is representative of 98% Huperzine A:

1. Mouse Acute Toxicity Test (1993)

a. LD5O(ip) = 3.0 +/-0.6 mg/kg of body weight
b. LD5O(Oral) = 3.5 +/-0.7 mg/kg of body weight

2. Dog Long Term Toxicity Test

a. After 14 days of HupA oral feeding, the results showed that there was no side effects found at low dosage (0.03 mg/kg body weight). At medium dosage (0.12 mg/kg) and high dosage (0.2 mg/kg), the test animals showed different degrees of slobbering, muscle quiver, myosis, diarrhea, and decreased CHE activity. There was, however, no cumulative toxicity found and the animals were judged Huperzine A tolerant. Before and after lab testing showed that the three dosage treatments did not cause any change in liver or kidney function. There was also no apparent pathologic organ changes observed with respect to heart, liver, kidney, and blood system.

b. After 180 days of Huperzine A treatment, examination and testing of the test animals showed no clear side effects. The dosage used in this test were 45 times higher than the dosage of HupA used to treat myasthenia gravis.

3. Huperzine A Clinical Study (Side Effect Observation & Testing Results)

This study consisted of a total of 212 Alzheimer patients; 131 were treated with Huperzine A and 81 with the Chinese herbal medicine, Nofukang. Individual Huperzine A dosages ranged from 100 to 200 micrograms per dose and were give 2 to 3 times per day. The total daily dosage did not exceed 450 micrograms. The patients were checked during the first week, third week, and last week of the study and the following side effects were observed:

a. Dizziness & Nausea 0.8% - 3.1%
b. Gastroenteric Symptoms 2.3% - 3.1%
c. Depressed Heart rate 0.0% - 2.3%
d. Headaches 0.0% - 0.8%
e. Shortness of Breath 0.0% - 0.8%

There was no difference between these results and those obtained with Nofukang.

Laboratory tests before and after treatment on Hemoglobin, White Blood Cell count, liver function, kidney function, electrocardiogram, and electroencephalogram showed no difference.