TY - JOUR AB - The acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI), huperzine A has been used in the treatment of the cognitive deterioration associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the side-effects of huperzine A associated with increased cholinergic activity, particularly in the gastrointestinal system, are evident. It is not yet known how quickly these side-effects become tolerated; this information would provide guidance to doctors on how to use huperzine A so as to attenuate the adverse events. The present study aimed to observe the effects of huperzine A on gastrointestinal motility and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in mice. After oral administration of huperzine A with single and multiple dosing, the gastrointestinal motility and AChE activity of the mice were examined. The results revealed that, following a single dose of huperzine A, the AChE activity in the stomach and duodenum were significantly inhibited and the gastrointestinal motility was significantly increased. However, following multiple doses (7 or 28 doses, one dose per day), no significant changes in the AChE activity and gastrointestinal motility were identified. These findings indicate that the gastrointestinal adverse effects of huperzine A may be well-tolerated relatively quickly and do not recur. Additionally, it suggests that patients with AD are likely to have minimal gastrointestinal side-effects after taking multiple doses of huperzine A. AD - Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong 264005, P.R. China AU - Zhang,Leiming AU - Song,Yanqin AU - Lu,Chengwen AU - Zhang,Jianqiao AU - Yuan,Jiani AU - Wang,Tian AU - Fu,Fenghua DA - 2013/03/01 DO - 10.3892/etm.2013.883 EP - 796 IS - 3 JO - Exp Ther Med KW - gastrointestinal motility acetyl­cholinesterase activity huperzine A PY - 2013 SN - 1792-0981 1792-1015 SP - 793 ST - The effects of huperzine A on gastrointestinal acetylcholinesterase activity and motility after single and multiple dosing in mice T2 - Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine TI - The effects of huperzine A on gastrointestinal acetylcholinesterase activity and motility after single and multiple dosing in mice UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2013.883 VL - 5 ER -