An extract from the Chinese licopodio give good results in the treatment of Alzheimer's, reported a team of researchers pooled data after reviewing a large number of studies in China.
But still there is insufficient evidence to support the widespread use of Huperzine A in patients with Alzheimer's, published The Cochrane Library, Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates the clinical literature.
The Huperzine A is an extract of Huperzia serrata, a medicinal plant, commonly called China Licopodio.
Previous studies attributed the Huperzine A has some benefits in the control of Alzheimer's disease, the authors, although previous reviews included only studies in English language.
To better understand the effects of Huperzine A in patients with Alzheimer's, the team led by Wu Hongmei, from the Sichuan University in Chengdu, China, conducted a review of studies in all languages.
The experts examined six randomized controlled studies on the effectiveness and safety of Huperzine A in 454 patients.
According to the team, the data suggest that Huperzine a to improve thinking, memory, behavioral disorders and the daily activities of patients with Alzheimer's disease, compared with placebo or usual care.
The authors emphasized that the studies were of poor quality "methodological."
The team found no obvious side effects in patients treated with Huperzine A, but noted that several studies do not adequately reported.
While the data available so far do not support the use of Huperzine A in patients with Alzheimer's disease, the results of these and other studies suggest that more research is needed at random and checked on the best use of the extract and the monitoring of adverse effects completed the team.