Description
HuperzineA(HupA)isasesquiterpenealkaloidderivedfromthefir-likemossHuperziaserrata;itexhibitsanticonvulsant/antiepileptic,neuromodulatory,cognitionenhancing,neuroprotective,andantinociceptiveactivities.HupAactsasareversIBLe,selectiveacetylcholinesterase(AChE)inhibitorandisbeingexploredinclinicaltrialsasapotentialtreatmentforAlzheimer’sDisease.SeveralstudieshaveshownHupAtoimprovecognition,memory,mood,and/ordailyactivitiesatarangeofdoses.Additionally,HupA’scomparativelylong-lastingbindingofAChEisprotectiveagainstorganophosphate-inducedseizureandstatusepilepticus.Incellularandanimalmodels,thiscompoundexhibitsnon-competitive,reversibleantagoNISTactivityatNMDAreceptors.HupAisalsounderexaminationasapotentialnon-dependence-inducingantinociceptive,asitblockschemical,thermal,andmechanicalpainstimulationinvivo.