PQQ
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 380 participants, researched for Cognitive Function, Mitochondrial Biogenesis, Antioxidant.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Cognitive Function
StrongMitochondrial Biogenesis
WeakAntioxidant
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.
Cognitive Function
To assess PQQ disodium salt on cognitive function in healthy volunteers
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess PQQ disodium salt on cognitive function in healthy volunteers
Dose
20 mg/day BioPQQ
Participants
41 healthy adults (45+ years)
Duration
12 weeks
Results
PQQ significantly improved Stroop interference ratio and visual-spatial cognitive function. Greatest benefits in adults aged 45+. PMID: 26782228
How They Measured It
Stroop test, Touch M visual-spatial test, attention scores
To assess effect of PQQ on cognitive function across adult age groups
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess effect of PQQ on cognitive function across adult age groups
Dose
21.5 mg/day mnemoPQQ
Participants
64 healthy adults aged 20-65
Duration
12 weeks
Results
PQQ significantly improved working memory and attention in both younger and older adults. Greater benefits observed in adults 45+ years. PMID: 34415830
How They Measured It
Cognitive battery including attention, memory, mental flexibility
To assess PQQ + dihydrogen on mild cognitive impairment in elderly
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess PQQ + dihydrogen on mild cognitive impairment in elderly
Dose
PQQ-containing supplement twice daily
Participants
34 elderly with MCI
Duration
6 weeks
Results
PQQ + dihydrogen supplementation improved cognitive scores, mitochondrial biomarkers, and brain metabolism in elderly MCI patients vs placebo. PMID: 38908296
How They Measured It
Cognitive assessments, mitochondrial biomarkers, brain metabolism (MRS)
Mitochondrial Biogenesis
To investigate PQQ on mitochondrial biogenesis and signalling pathways
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate PQQ on mitochondrial biogenesis and signalling pathways
Dose
PQQ dietary supplementation
Participants
Mice
Duration
8 weeks
Results
PQQ supplementation significantly stimulated mitochondrial biogenesis via PGC-1alpha activation, increasing mitochondrial DNA copy number and oxidative phosphorylation capacity. PMID: 20812234
How They Measured It
Mitochondrial DNA copy number, PGC-1alpha, respiratory function
To investigate PQQ as essential cofactor for mitochondrial function
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To investigate PQQ as essential cofactor for mitochondrial function
Dose
Various concentrations
Participants
Human cell cultures
Duration
N/A
Results
PQQ acts as a redox cofactor supporting mitochondrial electron transport chain function and ATP production. PQQ-deficiency caused mitochondrial dysfunction. PMID: 19110426
How They Measured It
Mitochondrial respiration, ATP production, electron transport chain activity
To assess PQQ on liver mitochondrial function and energy metabolism
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To assess PQQ on liver mitochondrial function and energy metabolism
Dose
2-6 mg/kg PQQ
Participants
Rats
Duration
8 weeks
Results
PQQ improved liver mitochondrial respiratory rates, improved NAD+/NADH ratio, and prevented fatty liver in animals fed high-fat diets.
How They Measured It
Liver mitochondrial respiration, NAD+/NADH ratio, lipid metabolism
Antioxidant
To assess oral PQQ on oxidative stress markers in healthy adults
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess oral PQQ on oxidative stress markers in healthy adults
Dose
0.2 mg/kg/day PQQ
Participants
10 healthy volunteers
Duration
Crossover periods
Results
PQQ supplementation significantly reduced urinary 8-OHdG (oxidative DNA damage marker) in a dose-dependent manner. PMID: 18468726
How They Measured It
Urinary 8-OHdG, urinary oxidative stress biomarkers
To characterize antioxidant mechanisms of PQQ
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To characterize antioxidant mechanisms of PQQ
Dose
Various concentrations
Participants
Cell-free and cell culture assays
Duration
N/A
Results
PQQ undergoes thousands of catalytic redox cycles without structural degradation, acting as a far superior antioxidant to vitamin C which only undergoes 4 catalytic cycles.
How They Measured It
Free radical scavenging, ROS inhibition, multiple catalytic antioxidant cycles
To assess PQQ on neuroprotection and cognitive decline in aged rodents
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To assess PQQ on neuroprotection and cognitive decline in aged rodents
Dose
2 mg/kg PQQ
Participants
Aged mice
Duration
10 weeks
Results
PQQ supplementation significantly improved spatial memory, reduced hippocampal oxidative damage, and preserved choline acetyltransferase activity in aged mice.
How They Measured It
Morris water maze, hippocampal oxidative stress, ChAT activity
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PQQ research
There are currently 9 peer-reviewed studies on PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone), involving 380 total participants. Research covers Mitochondrial biogenesis, Cognitive function, Antioxidant. 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, 3 animal studies), and reported outcomes.
PQQ has been researched for: Mitochondrial biogenesis, Cognitive function, Antioxidant. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 4 out of 9 studies are human trials. The remaining 3 are animal studies. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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