Huperzia serrata

Huperzia serrata, commonly called Chinese club moss or tian ma, is a low‑growing, evergreen lycophyte native to East Asia (China, Japan, Korea). The plant’s aerial stems and leaves are harvested for their alkaloid constituents—most notably huperzine A—which are used in dietary‑supplement form to support brain health and neuro‑protective functions.

• Principal bioactive compound: The principal bioactive compound is huperzine A (C₁₅H₁₈N₂O₂).
• IUPAC name: Its IUPAC name is (3R,4R,5S,6R,7R,8R,9R,10S)-3,4‑dimethyl‑9‑(2‑hydroxy‑2‑phenyl‑acetyl)‑1‑oxapyrrolidine‑5,6‑dihydro‑5‑pyridine‑3‑carboxylic acid (simplified).
• Chemical classification: It is a sesquiterpenoid alkaloid with a tetrahydro‑1‑pyridyl‑pyrrolidine core fused to a rigid bicyclic framework, containing a methyl‑ester and a hydroxyl‑phenyl‑acetyl side‑chain.
• Molecular properties:
  • Molecular weight = 242.33 g·mol⁻¹
  • log P ≈ 2.9, indicating moderate lipophilicity, facilitating blood‑brain barrier penetration.
• Stability: The molecule is stable under neutral pH but susceptible to oxidation; therefore, extracts are typically stored under nitrogen and protected from light to preserve potency.

• Source material: Commercially, huperzine A is extracted from wild‑collected or cultivated Huperzia serrata harvested in mountainous regions of China (e.g., Zhejiang, Sichuan provinces).
• Sustainable practices: Sustainable practices now favor cultivated greenhouse farms to avoid over‑harvesting of wild populations, which are listed as “Vulnerable” in some regions.
• Extraction method: Extraction commonly employs ethanol‑water (70 % ethanol) maceration, followed by high‑performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or supercritical CO₂ to isolate and purify huperzine A (>95 % purity).
• Supplement quality: Quality‑controlled supplements provide standardized extracts (0.5–2 % huperzine A) with certificate of analysis for heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contaminants.
• Quality assurance: Look for third‑party testing (e.g., USP, NSF) and documentation of Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) to ensure consistent potency and safety.