Nutralighting is a China-based leading botanical extract manufacturer with direct access to standardized Huperzia serrata ecological planting bases. Our production capacity and stable upstream supply chain ensure consistent batch quality and competitive long-term pricing for global B2B partners.

Product Description

Huperzia Serrata Extract (Qian Ceng Ta Extract) is a concentrated powder of characteristic active ingredients refined from specified botanical raw materials, with Huperzine A as the main active component. It meets quality standards of Huperzine A 0.5%-2.0% (HPLC), offering potent acetylcholinesterase inhibition and cognitive enhancement benefits. It is widely used in nootropic supplements, cognitive health products, and research applications. All raw materials are sourced exclusively from certified cultivated Huperzia serrata – wild populations are protected under Chinese wildlife conservation regulations. This is a premium-grade powder ingredient suitable for B2B formulation.

Huperzia serrata (Chinese Ladder Clubmoss) is one of the most important medicinal bryophytes in the world. In 1980s, Chinese scientists discovered that this plant contains Huperzine A, a potent and selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. This discovery led to the development of Huperzine A-based drugs for Alzheimer’s disease treatment in China ( marketed as Qianliyan). The global nootropic and cognitive health supplement market continues to grow rapidly, with Huperzine A being one of the most researched natural compounds for memory and learning enhancement. Wild Huperzia serrata is listed as a protected plant species in China; our company exclusively uses cultivated raw materials to ensure sustainable sourcing and regulatory compliance.

Huperzia Serrata Extract powder product adopts low-temperature extraction, reduced-pressure concentration, and spray drying (or freeze-drying) processes to ensure stable Huperzine A content and high biological activity. Different standardization levels (Huperzine A 0.5%, 1%, 2%) and extraction ratios can be customized according to customer requirements. Our cultivation partners follow Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) to ensure consistent quality and sustainable sourcing.

Basic Information

Standard Specifications (COA)

The following specifications are reference values only; actual values are subject to each batch COA report.

Botanical Source Description

The raw material of Huperzia Serrata Extract Huperzine A product is the dried whole plant of Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) Trev. (Family: Lycopodiaceae), commonly known as Chinese Ladder Clubmoss or Huperzia serrata. Native to mountainous regions of southern and eastern China (Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Zhejiang, Fujian, etc.), as well as parts of Japan and Korea. Huperzia serrata is included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP 2020 Edition, Part I). In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it has been used for centuries to treat traumatic injuries, swelling, pain, and inflammation. The plant is a lycophyte (clubmoss), one of the oldest lineages of vascular plants, and is distinguished by its ladder-like branching pattern – hence the Chinese name thousand-layer pagoda. Critically, wild Huperzia serrata is protected under Chinese wildlife conservation regulations due to over-harvesting. All raw materials used in this product are sourced exclusively from certified cultivated farms following GACP standards, ensuring both regulatory compliance and supply chain sustainability.

Core Efficacy

Huperzia serrata extract is one of the most well-researched natural compounds for cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection. The core active component, Huperzine A (C16H19NO3), is a potent, reversible, and selective acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor. By inhibiting AChE, Huperzine A increases acetylcholine levels in the synaptic cleft, enhancing cholinergic neurotransmission – a mechanism directly relevant to memory, learning, and cognitive function. A meta-analysis of 16 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 2,966 patients with Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia demonstrated that Huperzine A significantly improved cognitive function compared to placebo (Medical Science Monitor, 2013; 19: 834-842). In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease who received Huperzine A (0.1mg three times daily) for 12 weeks showed significant improvement in cognitive test scores and activities of daily living (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 1998; 62(1): 1-6). Preclinical studies have also demonstrated that Huperzine A protects against amyloid-beta-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in neuronal cells (NeuroReport, 2004; 15(1): 39-43). Beyond Alzheimer’s research, Huperzine A is widely used as a nootropic supplement for healthy adults seeking cognitive support, attention enhancement, and mental clarity. Its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier efficiently makes it one of the most bioavailable natural AChE inhibitors available.

Regulatory & Regional Access Status

Note: Regulatory information is subject to change. Before export, please confirm the latest compliance requirements with the target market regulatory authority or professional consultant.

Application Directions & Recommended Dosage

Recommended Daily Dosage Reference

• Cognitive Enhancement (General): Follow product specifications and formulator recommendations; typical Huperzine A dosage 50-200μg/day
• Research Applications: Dosage and formulation should follow published protocols; consult toxicology data for high-dose studies
• Note: Huperzine A is a potent compound – start with lower doses and titrate upward. Do not exceed recommended dosage without medical supervision
• Personal Care: Not typically used in topical skincare; primarily an oral supplement ingredient

Other Precautions

Storage & Transportation

• General Storage Requirements‌: The finished product must be sealed and stored in a cool, dry and dark environment with the ambient temperature controlled below 25℃. Avoid high temperature and high humidity which will lead to the degradation of active ingredients. The shelf life is set to 24 months.
• Strict Temperature-Controlled Storage‌: High-purity Huperzine A with purity ≥98% must be sealed and stored in a light-proof refrigerated environment at 2~8℃. Long-term storage at room temperature will easily cause the degradation of active ingredients, and the shelf life is 24 months.
• Avoid rain exposure, direct sunlight, and vigorous collision during transportation
• Use promptly after opening; prolonged exposure may cause caking

Processing Application Notes

• Production Operation Protection‌: Personnel in the workshop must wear goggles, gas masks and nitrile gloves to avoid direct contact with skin and mucous membranes or inhalation of dust. In case of accidental eye contact, rinse with running water for several minutes and seek medical attention in time.
• Recommended to first disperse in an appropriate amount of warm water or ethanol, mix thoroughly, then add to the formula system
• Huperzine A is relatively heat-stable but prolonged high-temperature processing (>80°C) may cause partial degradation; post-addition is recommended for sensitive applications
• Due to the potency of Huperzine A, precise weighing and homogeneous mixing are essential in manufacturing

Safety & Compliance Notes

• Huperzine A is a potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor; excessive dosage may cause cholinergic side effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bradycardia, and muscle fasciculations
• Individuals with seizure disorders, bradycardia, asthma, or heart block should avoid Huperzine A-containing products unless under medical supervision
• Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children should consult a healthcare provider before use
• Do not combine with other cholinergic drugs (e.g., donepezil, rivastigmine, physostigmine) without medical supervision — risk of cholinergic crisis
• This product information is for B2B purchasing and technical reference only and does not constitute medical or health claims for end consumers
• End product claims must comply with local regulations; it is recommended to confirm the latest compliance requirements with the target market regulatory authority before export
• SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENT: All raw materials are sourced from certified cultivated Huperzia serrata farms. Wild-harvested material is NEVER used, in compliance with Chinese wildlife protection regulations and our corporate sustainability commitment

Appendix: References

[1] Cui R. et al., Medical Science Monitor, 2013; 19: 834-842. – Meta-analysis of Huperzine A for Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

[2] Pan X. et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 1998; 62(1): 1-6. – Double-blind RCT of Huperzine A in Alzheimer’s patients.

[3] Xu H. et al., NeuroReport, 2004; 15(1): 39-43. – Neuroprotective effects of Huperzine A against amyloid-beta toxicity.

[4] Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission. Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China, 2020 Edition, Part I.

[5] Wang Z. et al., Fitoterapia, 2009; 80(5): 269-274. – Huperzine A: pharmacology and clinical applications.

[6] WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, Vol. 2, 2004. – Huperzia serrata monograph.

[7] Zhang Y, Liu X, Wang H, et al. Combined transcriptome and widely targeted metabolome analysis reveals the potential mechanism of HupA biosynthesis and antioxidant activity in Huperzia serrata. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2023, 317: 116872. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116872.

[8] Li S, Chen Z, Zhou Y. Secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi isolated from Huperzia serrata. Phytochemistry Reviews, 2022, 21(4): 1127-1153. DOI: 10.1007/s11101-021-09798-7.

[9] Zhao L, Wu J, Zhang Q, et al. Improved protective effects and pharmacokinetics of Huperzine A derivative H14 in soman poisoning: A comparative study with Huperzine A in rats. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2024, 472: 116588. DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.116588.