PQQ
Human research on PQQ is a few small trials. A maker-run trial reported better memory scores at 20 mg a day, and a hydrogen and PQQ mix improved one cognitive domain. PQQ did not change aerobic performance with training. No trial measured lifespan. An EU panel found the margin of exposure at 20 mg a day sufficient.
- Status
- Dietary supplement in the US.
- Also called
- pyrroloquinoline quinone, PQQ disodium salt, BioPQQ, methoxatin, mitochondrial booster
- Taken for
- slowing aging, longer life, mitochondrial biogenesis, energy, memory, focus, exercise performance, fertility
Strong several reviews agree · Moderate one review or consistent trials · Limited one or a few small studies · Untested no study in people, listed with what it rests on
Shown to help1
Reported risks0
No risks sourced yet.
What people take it for, and what was found
Shown to help1
Memory and cognition
Small trials, both maker-linked, found better memory scores at 20 mg a day over 12 weeks, and a PQQ mix improved one cognition domain in mild cognitive impairment.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- After 12 weeks at 20 mg a day, composite and verbal memory improved. Adults aged 20 to 40 improved in cognitive flexibility and processing speed by 8 weeks, and adults aged 41 to 65 in complex and verbal memory by 12 weeks [1]. In mild cognitive impairment, a hydrogen-producing mineral and PQQ mix improved the ADAS-Cog orientation domain against placebo (interaction p = 0.03). Serum BDNF, the primary endpoint, showed a non-significant trend (interaction p = 0.14) [2].
- Population
- Adults aged 20 to 65 [1]; 34 adults with mild cognitive impairment, mean age 71.9, for 6 weeks [2].
- Sources
- [1], [2]
- Caveats
- Trial [1] was run by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, the maker of BioPQQ, and its abstract reports no effect sizes. Trial [2] tested a mixture, its product was supplied by the seller, one author was employed by the seller and one consulted for it.
Mixed results1
Body awareness after exercise
One trial found one interoception domain improved after a single dose, with no change in the other domains.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- A single 20 mg dose before an exhaustive treadmill test improved the Body Listening domain of an interoception questionnaire. No other domain differed between groups [4].
- Population
- 60 participants in four groups: placebo, PQQ, NMN and both [4].
- Sources
- [4]
- Caveats
- One trial, one domain among several.
Not shown to help2
Exercise performance
One small trial found no change in aerobic performance or body composition against placebo during 6 weeks of endurance training.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- During 6 weeks of endurance training, aerobic performance and body composition did not differ between PQQ and placebo. PGC-1α protein, a marker of mitochondrial biogenesis, rose more on PQQ [3].
- Population
- 23 untrained men at 20 mg a day [3].
- Sources
- [3]
- Caveats
- One small trial. PGC-1α is a marker, not a performance outcome.
Ovarian reserve
One uncontrolled study found no overall change in anti-Müllerian hormone after about 90 days in healthy women.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- After about 90 days at 20 mg a day, anti-Müllerian hormone did not change overall (1.561 to 1.439 ng/mL, p = 0.182). Subgroup results went in opposite directions [5].
- Population
- 50 healthy women aged 25 to 42, 35 analyzed [5].
- Sources
- [5]
- Caveats
- Single-arm and open-label, with no control group. The product was supplied by ROHTO Pharmaceutical.
Claimed, not studied in people1
Longer life
Not studied in people. In a short-lived, fast-aging mouse strain, lifelong PQQ in the diet extended 75th percentile survival by 73%.
No study in people. This rests on animal studies.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- In senescence-accelerated SAMP8 mice, a strain with a short lifespan, lifelong PQQ at 0.02% of the diet prolonged survival at the 75th percentile by 73% against controls and delayed signs of aging and age-related muscle decline. Starting PQQ in midlife improved muscle function that had declined with age [7].
- Population
- Senescence-accelerated SAMP8 mice [7].
- Sources
- [7]
- Caveats
- One study in a fast-aging strain, not normally aging mice. One author also wrote the maker-run memory trial [1]. Mouse survival does not show what happens to human lifespan.
Doses studied
Trials used 20 mg a day for 6 weeks [3], 12 weeks [1] and about 90 days [5], and a single 20 mg dose [4]. The EU assessment covered up to 20 mg a day [6].
Risks
Checked, no increase found1
European safety assessment
The EU food safety panel found the safety margin sufficient for one PQQ product at up to 20 mg a day in healthy adults, excluding pregnant and lactating women.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- The EU food safety panel assessed BioPQQ for healthy adults, excluding pregnant and lactating women, at up to 20 mg a day. That intake is at least 250 times the estimated intake from food. Using a no-observed-adverse-effect level of 100 mg/kg body weight a day from a 90-day animal study, the margin of exposure was 344, which the panel found sufficient [6].
- Population
- Animal toxicity data and limited human absorption data [6].
- Sources
- [6]
- Caveats
- The panel noted that absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion data in animals and humans are limited [6]. The opinion covers one product at one intake.
Possible, not studied in people1
Long-term use
Not studied in people. In female rats, high doses raised kidney weight and urine protein, changes that reversed. Two 13-week rat studies found no treatment-related harm.
No study in people. This rests on animal studies.
The numbers and sources
- How common
- How often is not known: the sources give no rate.
- Effect
- In a 14-day rat study, high doses raised relative kidney weight with tissue changes in females only, and a 28-day study in females found more urine protein and crystals. Both reversed during recovery. A 13-week study set a no observed adverse effect level of 100 mg/kg a day, the highest dose tested [8]. A second 13-week study found no treatment-related changes and set the level at 400 mg/kg a day, its highest dose [9]. The longest human trial located ran about 90 days [5].
- Population
- Rats [8][9].
- Sources
- [8], [9], [5]
- Caveats
- Rat studies of 13 weeks or less do not show what years of use do in people. The kidney findings were at high doses.
Not yet researched1
Adverse effects in trials
We haven't sourced research on this yet.
Claims tested and not found
Sources
- Tamakoshi M, Suzuki T, Nishihara E, et al. Pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt improves brain function in both younger and older adults. Food & Function. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1039/d2fo01515c
- Baltic S, Nedeljkovic D, Todorovic N, et al. The impact of six-week dihydrogen-pyrroloquinoline quinone supplementation on mitochondrial biomarkers, brain metabolism, and cognition in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnha.2024.100287
- Hwang PS, Machek SB, Cardaci TD, et al. Effects of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) Supplementation on Aerobic Exercise Performance and Indices of Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Untrained Men. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2019.1705203
- Zhao C, Wu B, Sui H, et al. The effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone and nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation on interoception following acute exhaustive exercise: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Scientific Reports. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-34191-0
- Tsuji S, Takiuchi T, Handa M, et al. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone response to pyrroloquinoline quinone supplementation in healthy women: no overall change and exploratory subgroup findings. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2026.1831604
- EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA), Turck D, Bresson JL, et al. Safety of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 258/97. EFSA Journal. 2017. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2017.5058
- Odera K, Tanaka Y, Ikemoto K, et al. Pyrroloquinoline quinone and imidazopyrroloquinoline intake diminish mortality risk during midlife and improve muscular dysfunctions with age in mice. Food & Function. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1039/d6fo00788k
- Nakano M, Takahashi H, Koura S, et al. Acute and subchronic toxicity studies of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) disodium salt (BioPQQ™) in rats. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.06.024
- Liang C, Zhang X, Wang W, et al. A subchronic oral toxicity study on pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) disodium salt in rats. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2014.11.005