We use essential cookies (authentication, your saved goals/stack) by default. With your permission we'll also enable privacy-respecting analytics (Vercel Web Analytics, anonymous load-time metrics) and error-replay diagnostics (Sentry — DOM snapshots only when an error fires) so we can fix bugs faster. Learn more
Hu7.5
Huperzine A Research
Likely helpsModerate safety
40 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Huperzine A appears to help in 5 of 6 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2007–2026 with a typical study size of 177 participants.
Based on 40 studies · 11 meta-analyses · 11 RCTs · 58,997 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
5helped1unclear· 34 more without graded effect data
3Traditional Chinese herbal medicine effects on vascular dementiaSystematic ReviewCited 30×n=3,581 · very large study2018
We found moderate- to very low-quality evidence of benefit and harm of TCHMs for VaD.
Chan ES et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2018)
Two TCHMs (NaoMaiTai and TongXinLuo) had a 5% or more increased risk of AEs compared to the 'no Treatment' control, but the quality of this evidence was poor.
We found moderate- to very low-quality evidence of benefit and harm of TCHMs for VaD.
Methodological inadequacies need to be addressed by better conducted and reported trials.
4Cognitive function improvement with Huperzine AMeta-AnalysisCited 149×n=1,823 · large study2013
Huperzine A appears to have beneficial effects on improvement of cognitive function, daily living activity, and global clinical assessment in participants with Alzheimer's disease.
Yang G et al. · PloS one (2013)
Huperzine A appears to have beneficial effects on improvement of cognitive function, daily living activity, and global clinical assessment in participants with Alzheimer's disease.
However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the poor methodological quality of the included trials.
5Alzheimer's drug discovery approaches evaluationSystematic ReviewCited 3×n=100 · medium study2025
Azmal M et al. · Journal of computer-aided molecular design (2025)
Computational approaches significantly expedite the identification and optimization of AD drug candidates by enabling the rapid screening of extensive compound libraries.
These methods, when combined with experimental validations, offer deeper molecular-level insights into drug interactions and mechanisms.
However, challenges such as predictive accuracy and data quality remain, necessitating further advancements in computational models and data integration to improve the predictability and effectiveness of AD therapeutics.
7Cognitive function and activities of daily living in AD patientsSystematic ReviewCited 37×n=149 · medium study2022
Our study demonstrated that AChE inhibitors, Ginkgo biloba, and cerebrolysin are the optimum cognitive and activities of daily living medication for patients with AD.
Fan F et al. · Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD (2022)
Our study demonstrated that AChE inhibitors, Ginkgo biloba, and cerebrolysin are the optimum cognitive and activities of daily living medication for patients with AD.
8Functional decline delay in dementiaSystematic ReviewCited 103×n=289 · medium study2016
Healthcare professionals should ensure that people with dementia are encouraged to exercise and that primary carers are trained and supported to provide safe and effective care for the person with dementia.
Laver K et al. · BMJ open (2016)
The quality of the reviews varied; however most (65%) scored 8/11 or more on the AMSTAR tool, indicating high quality.
Healthcare professionals should ensure that people with dementia are encouraged to exercise and that primary carers are trained and supported to provide safe and effective care for the person with dementia.
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or memantine should be trialled unless contraindicated.
9Over the counter supplements effects on memorySystematic ReviewCited 12×2023
Hersant H et al. · CNS drugs (2023)
More rigorous studies are needed relative to the long-term use of these supplements in homogenous populations with standardized measurements of cognition.
Health care providers need to be aware of any and all supplements their older adult patients may be consuming and be educated about their side effects and interactions with prescription medications.
Lastly, the FDA needs to take an active position relative to monitoring marketed supplements regarding safety, purity and claims of efficacy.
10Cognitive impairment treatment in Parkinson's diseaseSystematic ReviewCited 32×2023
Finally, we aim to provide additional insights and propose new ideas for investigation that may be feasible and effective for the spectrum of PD-related cognitive impairment.
Degirmenci Y et al. · Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) (2023)
In this updated overview, we aim to cover the clinical aspects of the spectrum of PD-related cognitive impairment and discuss recent evidence on emerging treatment approaches that are under investigation at a preclinical and clinical level.
11Cognitive function in mild to moderate ADSystematic ReviewCited 10×2022
The purpose of this review is to expose the positive results of intervention with EGb 761® and Huperzine in patients with mild to moderate AD in the last 10 years, highlighting the pharmacological functions that justify their use in AD therapy.
Villegas C et al. · IUBMB life (2022)
Currently, there is no successful pharmacological treatment for AD.
The few approved drugs are mainly aimed at treating the symptoms; however, due to the increasing discovery of etiopathological factors, there are great efforts to find new multifunctional molecules to slow down the course of this neurodegenerative disease.
Chauhan PS et al. · CNS & neurological disorders drug targets (2022)
These elements promote cell health, regeneration, and the anti-aging process that specifically interrupt the pathogenic pathways in AD development.
Fortunately, incorporating changes in the nutritional content is inexpensive, easy, acceptable, safe, effective, and in most cases, free from major adverse events.
Many nutritional phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids are still being evaluated in the hope of identifying a successful therapy for AD.
13Neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer's diseaseSystematic ReviewCited 80×2021
Our goal is to provide an integrated overview of the molecular mechanisms through which HupA affects AD.
Friedli MJ et al. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2021)
The effects of this alkaloid have been attributed to its ability to inhibit the cholinergic enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), acting as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI).
The biological functions of HupA have been studied both in vitro and in vivo, and its role in neuroprotection appears to be a good therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer´s disease (AD).
Our goal is to provide an integrated overview of the molecular mechanisms through which HupA affects AD.
14Cognitive dysfunction in patients with ADMeta-AnalysisCited 13×n=33 · small study2019
Evaluation of the clinically common anti-dementia drugs using NMA affirmed the utility of cholinesterase inhibitors, especially donepezil, in alleviating cognitive dysfunction of patients with AD.
Cui CC et al. · Medicine (2019)
Evaluation of the clinically common anti-dementia drugs using NMA affirmed the utility of cholinesterase inhibitors, especially donepezil, in alleviating cognitive dysfunction of patients with AD.
This study may therefore help to inform the clinical selection of pharmacotherapeutic interventions addressing cognitive dysfunction in patients with AD.
Further studies with a focus on the molecular mechanisms of the protective natural compounds are needed to decrease possible side effects and to develop new medicines for MS.
Sanadgol N et al. · Current drug targets (2017)
Further studies with a focus on the molecular mechanisms of the protective natural compounds are needed to decrease possible side effects and to develop new medicines for MS.
Apigenin, chrysin, baicalein, cyanidin, flavone glycoside, daidzein, coumestrol, sulforaphane, bee venom and huperzine A are the candidates for more prospective investigations.
17Memory quotient (MQ) and MMSE scoresMeta-AnalysisCited 4×2019
Due to the low quality of original studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify its efficacy.
Huang P et al. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (2019)
The Meta-analysis results showed that compared with placebo, Huperzine significantly increased the scores of memory quotient(MQ) and mini-mental state examination(MMSE).
However, there was no statistical difference between oral tablet and capsule.
Compared with placebo, huperzine A was superior in the scores of MQ and MMSE.
18Cognitive function in Alzheimer's diseaseMeta-AnalysisCited 14×2018
As the first NMA comparing the major drugs in market for AD, our study suggests that memantine might have a more significant benefit on cognition than other five drugs available.
Liang J et al. · Clinical interventions in aging (2018)
As the first NMA comparing the major drugs in market for AD, our study suggests that memantine might have a more significant benefit on cognition than other five drugs available.
However, there is a need for more robust clinical trials focusing on executive function and other cognitive measures and incorporation of newer imaging modalities to provide additional evidence about the utility of these strategies in patients with VCI.
Farooq MU et al. · CNS drugs (2017)
The benefits of other drugs such as rivastigmine, memantine, nimodipine, and piracetam are not clear.
Some other supplements and herbal therapies, such as citicoline, actovegin, huperzine A, and vinpocetine, have also been studied in patients with VaD, but their beneficial effects are not well established.
Non-drug therapies and lifestyle modifications such as diet, exercise, and vascular risk factor control are important in the management of VCI and should not be ignored.
20Cognitive function improvementMeta-AnalysisCited 7×2016
This review suggests that adjunctive HupA is an effective choice for improving cognitive function for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
Zheng W et al. · Human psychopharmacology (2016)
Large benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
In studies using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (n = 7)/Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (n = 1), the differences in total score were significant (standard mean difference: -0.77; 95%CI: -1.27, -0.27; p = 0.002).
All-cause discontinuation (risk ratio: 0.67; 95%CI: 0.36, 1.24; p = 0.20) and adverse events were similar between groups.
This review suggests that adjunctive HupA is an effective choice for improving cognitive function for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.