Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) as a Novel Natural Food Supplement: Anti-Aging Mechanisms and Application Prospects from a Multidimensional Perspective

The aging global population is increasingly associated with a rise in age-related diseases, leading to heightened healthcare costs and a diminished quality of life for older adults, which poses significant challenges for families and society. In light of these issues, this study investigates the potential of Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a novel food supplement recognized for its strong antioxidant properties and regulatory effects on mitochondrial function, as a therapeutic agent for age-related disorders. Recent research highlights PQQ’s anti-aging effects observed in various tissues, including skin, bones, ovaries, and the brain, through research conducted in model organisms and progressing to human subjects. Importantly, PQQ has demonstrated an established safety profile, showing no toxicity or genotoxicity, thus qualifying it as a viable nutritional supplement. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms underlying PQQ’s anti-aging effects remain to be clarified. This review aims to elucidate these mechanisms while considering tissue-specific aging characteristics and underscores the translational potential of PQQ as a natural therapeutic agent against age-related diseases. Future research should prioritize developing application strategies for PQQ while addressing existing challenges in the aging research domain, to fully exploit its capacity to promote healthy aging and enhance the quality of life for older individuals.