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Non-cholinergic Effects of Huperzine A: Beyond Inhibition of Acetylcholinesterase

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Abstract

The use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors to decrease the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine has been the main symptomatic therapy for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s patients, though the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease remains unclear and seems to involve multiple factors. Further evidence has indicated that some of these acetylcholinesterase inhibitors also have non-cholinergic functions on the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease including the formation and deposition of β-amyloid. Huperzine A, a potent and reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase that was initially isolated from a Chinese herb, has been found to improve cognitive deficits in a broad range of animal models and has been used for Alzheimer’s disease treatment in China. The novel neuroprotective effects of huperzine A might yield beneficial effects in Alzheimer’s disease therapy and provide a potential template for the design of new selective and powerful anti-Alzheimer’s drugs. The present paper gives an overview on the neuroprotective effects of huperzine A beyond its acetylcholinesterase inhibition. These effects include regulating β-amyloid precursor protein metabolism, protecting against β-amyloid-mediated oxidative stress and apoptosis. The structure–function relationship of huperzine A is also discussed.

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (G199805110, G1998051115, 2004CB518907) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (39170860, 39770846, 3001161954, 30123005, 30271494 and 30572169).

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  1. State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Rd, Shanghai, 201203, China

    Hai Yan Zhang, Han Yan & Xi Can Tang

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  2. Han Yan
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Correspondence to Xi Can Tang.

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Zhang, H.Y., Yan, H. & Tang, X.C. Non-cholinergic Effects of Huperzine A: Beyond Inhibition of Acetylcholinesterase. Cell Mol Neurobiol 28, 173–183 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10571-007-9163-z

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