Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease and one of the common neurological diseases. Parkinson's disease is caused by the rapid structural deterioration of the substantia nigra in the brain and the inability to produce the neurotransmitter "dopamine", which limits the brain's ability to direct muscle activity. Typical symptoms of the disease include resting tremors, slow movement, and muscle stiffness. 80% of patients will develop dementia after 15-20 years.

One of the important pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease is mitochondrial dysfunction caused by mitochondrial quality control disorders. PQQ can prevent mitochondrial morphological damage, promote mitochondrial biology, and regulate mitochondrial dynamics. Mitochondrial quality control may be one of the promising treatment targets for Parkinson's disease, and PQQ may be a potential drug candidate.

Researchers have studied some compounds that target mitochondrial functions, including melatonin, coenzyme Q10, MitoQ, green tea polyphenols, and so on. However, these in vitro and validated drugs have not had successful outcomes in clinical trials in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. PQQ may regulate mitochondrial function by targeting mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I and III. It can antagonize the cell damage induced by complex I inhibitor rotenone in vitro and in vivo, prevent the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential, and maintain mitochondrial function. The study first evaluated the effect of PQQ on the mitochondrial morphology of human neuroblastoma cells injured by rotenone. It was found that PQQ can rescue the decrease in mitochondrial content and mitochondrial fragmentation induced by rotenone.

Therefore, PQQ may have the potential to treat Parkinson's disease.