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Huperzine A is a substance purified from a plant called Chinese club moss. Although the makers of huperzine A start with a plant, their product is the result of a lot of laboratory manipulation. It is a highly purified drug, unlike herbs that typically contain hundreds of chemical ingredients. As a result, some people regard huperzine A as a drug, and they argue that it stretches the guidelines of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA).
Huperzine A is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene alkaloid compound found in the firmoss Huperzia serrata. and in varying quantities in other Huperzia species, including H. elmeri, H. carinat, and H. aqualupian.
Huperzine A is also an Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, which has a mechanism of action similar to donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine. A pro-drug form of Huperzine A (ZT-1) is under development as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
In the US, Huperzine A is sold as a dietary supplement for memory support. The botanical has been used in China for centuries for the treatment of swelling, fever and blood disorders. Clinical trials in China have shown it to be effective in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and enhancing memory in students.