PQQ: A New Choice for Safeguarding Cellular Vitality

In the field of nutritional research focused on healthy anti‑aging, pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a naturally occurring nutrient that has attracted extensive academic attention in recent years. PQQ occurs naturally in trace amounts in fermented soybeans, various fruits and vegetables. It cannot be synthesized autonomously by human cells and must be obtained from external sources. Disodium pyrroloquinoline quinone is the predominant form used in commercially available dietary supplements, and this compound has been approved as a novel food ingredient by the European Union.

Diverse Physiological Mechanisms of Action
According to a review published in Food Reviews International, numerous cellular and animal studies, alongside preliminary human clinical investigations, have uncovered the diverse physiological mechanisms of PQQ. Featuring unique redox properties, PQQ scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body, activates the Keap1‑Nrf2 signaling pathway, upregulates antioxidant proteins such as HO‑1 and NQO‑1, and alleviates cellular damage induced by oxidative stress. Meanwhile, it modulates the p16/p21 and Notch pathways, interferes with the senescence‑associated secretory phenotype linked to inflammatory aging, and mitigates chronic low‑grade inflammation.

Enhancing the Body’s Antioxidant Capacity
In nematode model studies, PQQ at appropriate dosages regulates the IIS insulin signaling pathway, activates the DAF‑16 transcription factor, upregulates autophagy‑related genes and boosts systemic antioxidant capacity, with extended lifespan observed in nematodes. Nevertheless, research also confirms a biphasic dose effect of PQQ: low concentrations exert protective effects, while excessively high concentrations may instead trigger pro‑oxidant responses and cause adverse outcomes.

Broad Application Potential
Multi‑tissue animal studies demonstrate promising research and application prospects for PQQ. Bone‑related studies indicate that PQQ activates the MCM3‑Keap1‑Nrf2 signaling axis to indirectly modulate osteoclast activity and maintain bone tissue homeostasis. In animal models of osteoporosis, intervertebral disc degeneration and osteoarthritis, it relieves oxidative stress, attenuates cellular senescence, and protects osteocytes and chondrocytes.
Animal studies on the reproductive system show that although PQQ does not markedly increase follicle counts, it improves mitochondrial function in oocytes, reduces reactive oxygen species accumulation and enhances oocyte quality. Poultry trials further verify that supplementation with disodium PQQ elevates the antioxidant status of semen in aged male poultry and optimizes multiple sperm parameters.

For brain health, human trials with a daily 20 mg dose of disodium PQQ recorded elevated serum BDNF levels among participants, with favorable changes in memory and cognitive flexibility across age groups. In animal models, PQQ regulates the AMPK‑PGC‑1α pathway to facilitate mitochondrial biogenesis and protect neurons. TAP, an allyl‑modified PQQ derivative, outperforms conventional vitamin C formulations in skin application assays by modulating the expression of epidermal repair markers, reducing collagen degradation, and ameliorating skin manifestations associated with photoaging.

Reference
Wang E, Wang Y, Xu Z, et al. Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) as a Novel Natural Food Supplement: Anti-Aging Mechanisms and Application Prospects from a Multidimensional Perspective[J]. Food Reviews International, 2026, 42(6): 3917-3960.

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