Pantothenic Acid
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) is a dietary supplement with 7 published peer-reviewed studies involving 640 participants, researched for Acne Treatment, Wound Healing, Energy Metabolism and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Acne Treatment
ModerateWound Healing
ModerateEnergy Metabolism
WeakStress Response
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Acne Treatment
To evaluate pantothenic acid supplementation for facial acne in young adults.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate pantothenic acid supplementation for facial acne in young adults.
Dose
2.2 g/day pantothenic acid
Participants
48 adults with mild-moderate acne
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Pantothenic acid supplementation significantly reduced total lesion count by 67.5% compared to 28.2% in placebo group. Sebum production was also significantly reduced.
How They Measured It
Total acne lesion count, IGA score, sebum secretion
To assess high-dose pantothenic acid on acne and sebum secretion.
Study Type
Open-label pilot study
Purpose
To assess high-dose pantothenic acid on acne and sebum secretion.
Dose
10 g/day pantothenic acid
Participants
45 patients with acne vulgaris
Duration
16 weeks
Results
High-dose pantothenic acid reduced acne lesion counts significantly. Sebum secretion was markedly reduced. The mechanism is believed to involve enhanced coenzyme A synthesis and lipid metabolism in sebaceous glands.
How They Measured It
Acne lesion counts, sebum measurement, tolerability
Wound Healing
To evaluate the effect of pantothenic acid and vitamin C on wound healing after surgery.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate the effect of pantothenic acid and vitamin C on wound healing after surgery.
Dose
1 g pantothenic acid + 500 mg vitamin C/day
Participants
49 patients undergoing tattoo removal surgery
Duration
21 days post-surgery
Results
Pantothenic acid/vitamin C combination significantly improved wound breaking strength compared to placebo, suggesting enhanced collagen synthesis and accelerated wound healing.
How They Measured It
Wound breaking strength, scar appearance, histological assessment
To investigate pantothenic acid on skin wound healing in a rodent model.
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate pantothenic acid on skin wound healing in a rodent model.
Dose
3% dexpanthenol topical cream
Participants
Sprague-Dawley rats
Duration
3 weeks
Results
Topical dexpanthenol (a pantothenic acid analogue) significantly accelerated wound closure and increased collagen content in wound tissue compared to vehicle control.
How They Measured It
Wound closure rate, collagen content, histology
Energy Metabolism
To describe the essential role of pantothenic acid in coenzyme A synthesis and energy metabolism.
Study Type
Review
Purpose
To describe the essential role of pantothenic acid in coenzyme A synthesis and energy metabolism.
Dose
N/A
Participants
N/A
Duration
N/A
Results
Pantothenic acid is the primary constituent of coenzyme A, essential for fatty acid oxidation, acetyl-CoA metabolism, and the TCA cycle. Deficiency impairs energy production at multiple levels.
How They Measured It
Biochemical review of pantothenic acid metabolism
Stress Response
To examine the effect of pantothenic acid on adrenal response and stress hormones.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To examine the effect of pantothenic acid on adrenal response and stress hormones.
Dose
1,000 mg/day pantothenic acid
Participants
218 adults with moderate psychological stress
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Pantothenic acid supplementation was associated with lower perceived stress scores and modestly reduced cortisol responses to acute stressors. The effect on adrenal function supports its role in stress resilience.
How They Measured It
Serum cortisol, ACTH, subjective stress questionnaire
To investigate the role of pantothenic acid in adrenal cortex steroidogenesis.
Study Type
In-vitro study
Purpose
To investigate the role of pantothenic acid in adrenal cortex steroidogenesis.
Dose
Varying pantothenic acid concentrations
Participants
Adrenal cortex cell culture model
Duration
N/A
Results
Pantothenic acid is an essential cofactor for corticosteroid biosynthesis. Optimal concentrations supported maximum cortisol and aldosterone production. Deficiency significantly impaired steroidogenesis.
How They Measured It
Cortisol and aldosterone production in adrenal cell cultures
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pantothenic Acid research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), involving 640 total participants. Research covers Energy metabolism, Acne treatment, Wound healing and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (4 human studies, 1 animal study), and reported outcomes.
Pantothenic Acid has been researched for: Energy metabolism, Acne treatment, Wound healing, Stress response. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 4 out of 8 studies are human trials. The remaining 1 is an animal study. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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