The psychopharmacology of huperzine A: an alkaloid with cognitive enhancing and neuroprotective properties of interest in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Zangara, A

doi:10.1016/s0091-3057(03)00111-4

Cited by 180 publications

(103 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…To determine the specificity of acetylcholinesterase inhibition in preventing cytokine release, we utilized huperzine A, a structurally distinct, highly selective, centrally-acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (Zangara, 2003). Huperzine A (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.)…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brain acetylcholinesterase activity controls systemic cytokine levels through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway

Pavlov

Parrish

Rosas-Ballina

et al. 2009

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

379

312

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The excessive release of cytokines by the immune system contributes importantly to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Recent advances in understanding the biology of cytokine toxicity led to the discovery of the "cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway," defined as neural signals transmitted via the vagus nerve that inhibit cytokine release through a mechanism that requires the alpha7 subunit-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR). Vagus nerve regulation of peripheral functions is controlled by brain nuclei and neural networks, but despite considerable importance, little is known about the molecular basis for central regulation of the vagus nerve-based cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Here we report that brain acetylcholinesterase activity controls systemic and organ specific TNF production during endotoxemia. Peripheral administration of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor galantamine significantly reduced serum TNF levels through vagus nerve signaling, and protected against lethality during murine endotoxemia. Administration of a centrally-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist abolished the suppression of TNF by galantamine, indicating that suppressing acetylcholinesterase activity, coupled with central muscarinic receptors, controls peripheral cytokine responses. Administration of galantamine to α7nAChR knockout mice failed to suppress TNF levels, indicating that the α7nAChR-mediated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is required for the anti-inflammatory effect of galantamine. These findings show that inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase suppresses systemic inflammation through a central muscarinic receptor-mediated and vagal-and α7nAChR-dependent mechanism. Our data also indicate that a clinically used centrally-acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor can be utilized to suppress abnormal inflammation to therapeutic advantage.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brain acetylcholinesterase activity controls systemic cytokine levels through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway

Pavlov

Parrish

Rosas-Ballina

et al. 2009

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

379

312

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“…In many studies, anti-inflammatory activity has been reported for many species of medicinal ferns, including M. grossum (Petard and Raau, 1972;Whistler, 1992), D. quercifolia (Dixit and Vohra, 1984), A. aureum (Defilpps et al, 1988), Selaginella bryopteris (Dhiman, 1998), Ophioglossum vulgatum, L. flexuosum, A. venustum (Vasudeva, 1999), Adiantum caudatum (Burkill, 1996), Christella parasitica (Gogoi, 2002), Huperzia serrata (Fig. 5d) (Zangara, 2003), S. tamariscina (Woo et al, 2005), P. ensiformis (Fig. 4f) (Wu et al, 2005), P. multifida (Lee and Lin, 1988), Dryopteris sp.…”

Section: Anti-inflammatory Activitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A paste of P. vittata was applied twice to glandular swellings for 15 d (Sharma, 2002). M. grossum is commonly used in Tahiti (Whistler, 1992), H. serrata in China (Zangara, 2003), and S. bryopteris in India (Dhiman, 1998) for their antiinflammatory activity. A decoction of roots and fronds of D. quercifolia is used as a tonic for the bowels, and aqueous extracts of the rhizomes are applied to wounds and cuts (Anonymous, 1952(Anonymous, , 1986Singh, 1973;Islam, 1983;Jain, 1991).…”

Section: Traditional Uses Of Some Pteridophytesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of the use of pteridophytes for treating human ailments

Xavier-ravi

Vigila

Zhang

et al. 2018

J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. B

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Abstract:The aim of this review was to explore the pharmacological activity of early tracheophytes (pteridophytes) as an alternative medicine for treating human ailments. As the first vascular plants, pteridophytes (aka, ferns and fern allies) are an ancient lineage, and human beings have been exploring and using taxa from this lineage for over 2000 years because of their beneficial properties. We have documented the medicinal uses of pteridophytes belonging to thirty different families. The lycophyte Selaginella sp. was shown in earlier studies to have multiple pharmacological activity, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antidiabetic, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-Alzheimer properties. Among all the pteridophytes examined, taxa from the Pteridaceae, Polypodiaceae, and Adiantaceae exhibited significant medicinal activity. Based on our review, many pteridophytes have properties that could be used in alternative medicine for treatment of various human illnesses. Biotechnological tools can be used to preserve and even improve their bioactive molecules for the preparation of medicines against illness. Even though several studies have reported medicinal uses of ferns, the possible bioactive compounds of several pteridophytes have not been identified. Furthermore, their optimal dosage level and treatment strategies still need to be determined. Finally, the future direction of pteridophyte research is discussed.

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“…Huperzine A has been traditionally used in China for the treatment of swelling, fever and inflammation, blood disorders, and schizophrenia, 57 and it is currently used in China for Alzheimer's disease. Huperzine A was classified as a dietary supplement by the FDA in 1997.…”

Section: Harvard Epilepsy Botanical Programmentioning

confidence: 99%