Zhang Hai Yan, Zheng Chun Yan, Yan Han, Wang Zhi Fei, Tang Li Li, Gao Xin, Tang Xi Can
State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, China.
Chem Biol Interact. 2008 Sep 25;175(1-3):396-402. doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2008.04.049. Epub 2008 May 13.
Huperzine A (HupA), a novel Lycopodium alkaloid isolated from Chinese folk medicine Huperzia serrata (Qian Ceng Ta), is a potent, selective and well-tolerated inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). It has been proven to significantly improve the learning and memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) patients in China. Interestingly, our recent data indicate that HupA also possesses other protective functions. This paper will give an overview on the protective effects of HupA, which includes regulating beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism, protecting against Abeta-mediated oxidative stress, apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction, as well as anti-inflammation. The multiple neuroprotective effects of HupA might yield additional beneficial effects in AD and VaD therapy.
石杉碱甲（HupA）是从中国民间药物蛇足石杉（千层塔）中分离出的一种新型石松生物碱，是一种强效、选择性且耐受性良好的乙酰胆碱酯酶（AChE）抑制剂。在中国，它已被证明能显著改善阿尔茨海默病（AD）和血管性痴呆（VaD）患者的学习和记忆障碍。有趣的是，我们最近的数据表明，石杉碱甲还具有其他保护功能。本文将概述石杉碱甲的保护作用，包括调节β-淀粉样前体蛋白（APP）代谢、抵御β-淀粉样蛋白（Aβ）介导的氧化应激、细胞凋亡和线粒体功能障碍，以及抗炎作用。石杉碱甲的多种神经保护作用可能会在AD和VaD治疗中产生额外的有益效果。
