A Potential Neuroprotective Compound—PQQ

by: GSHWORLD Time: 2026-01-05 Classify: Product News

On the road to a long and healthy life, brain health has always been the central concern.

In recent years, multiple clinical studies have confirmed that PQQ benefits human neurons, especially in memory improvement.

What is PQQ?

PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone) is an aromatic o-quinone found throughout nature; it occurs in tea, fermented soybeans, kiwifruit, parsley and other everyday foods.

Its hallmark property is a powerful redox-cycling capacity that allows it to switch repeatedly between oxidized and reduced states inside the body, participate efficiently in energy metabolism, and resist depletion—traits that underlie its neuroprotective potential.

PQQ also scavenges free radicals, shielding cells from oxidative stress and creating a stable environment for neurons.

Optimizing Neurons with PQQ

As a multifunctional nutrient, PQQ first protects the nervous system by optimizing energy metabolism. Neurons are among the most energy-hungry cells in the body and rely on a steady supply of ATP.

PQQ adjusts metabolic pathways for amino acids, lipids and other key nutrients, ensuring ample substrates for glycolysis and the tricarboxylic-acid cycle.

Serving as a cofactor for enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase, it accelerates energy conversion, boosts synthesis of essential cofactors like NAD⁺, and thereby raises cellular ATP output, giving neurons a reliable power source.

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial showed that healthy elderly volunteers who took PQQ for 12 weeks exhibited improved attention and working memory, along with increased blood flow and oxygen metabolism in the prefrontal cortex.

Subsequent studies in both young and older adults have corroborated cognitive benefits, providing evidence for PQQ's role in maintaining human brain function.

Safety of PQQ

Beyond bioenergetics, PQQ precisely modulates cell-signaling cascades. It activates antioxidant pathways such as PI3K/Akt and Nrf2, reinforcing the cell's own defenses and blunting reactive-oxygen attacks on neurons.

It also regulates production of nerve growth factor—vital for neuronal survival, growth and repair—helping preserve structural integrity and aiding recovery of injured neurons.

By modulating receptor activity, PQQ further curbs excitotoxic damage, strengthening the brain's protective barriers.

Safety of PQQ

Importantly, PQQ has demonstrated an excellent safety profile in multiple studies. As a natural food constituent, it is consumed routinely through the diet.

Although the exact mechanisms underlying its neuroprotective actions still warrant deeper exploration, existing research already highlights its considerable promise for safeguarding the nervous system.

As science advances, PQQ may become a key nutritional option for sustaining brain health and preventing neuro-functional decline, offering robust support for healthy living.

Reference

[1] Canovai A, Williams P A. Pyrroloquinoline quinone: a potential neuroprotective compound for neurodegenerative diseases targeting metabolism[J]. Neural Regeneration Research, 2025, 20(1): 41-53.

*Special note - This article is for informational purposes only and cannot replace a doctor's treatment diagnosis and advice. It should not be regarded as a recommendation or proof of efficacy of the medical products involved. If it involves disease diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, please be sure to go to a professional medical institution to seek professional advice.