MitoQ (mitoquinone)
Mechanism, regulatory status, and an honest, tiered evidence map.
What it is
Class: Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant (mtROS)
Also known as: mitoquinone, mitoquinol, MitoQ10
Relationship to mitochondrial health: MitoQ is a ubiquinone (coenzyme-Q derivative) conjugated to a lipophilic triphenylphosphonium cation so that it accumulates several-hundredfold at the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it is intended to quench excess mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS).
Regulatory status
Sold as a dietary supplement; not an approved drug and not approved for any anti-aging or cardiovascular indication. No established therapeutic dose for aging.
Mechanism
Targets mtROS at the inner membrane; the human vascular RCT measured endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation), aortic stiffness, and oxidised LDL. See Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS).
Evidence — Human (randomized crossover RCT) verify: verified against primary source
| Species / population | 20 healthy older adults (60-79 y) with impaired endothelial function (Rossman 2018). |
| Exposure, route, schedule | Oral MitoQ 20 mg/day for 6 weeks. |
| Comparator / duration | Placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized crossover. |
| Endpoint / numeric result | Brachial-artery flow-mediated dilation ~42% higher vs placebo; lower aortic stiffness (in those with elevated baseline) and lower plasma oxidised LDL. |
| What it did NOT establish | Small, short crossover with a surrogate vascular endpoint; no clinical-outcome or lifespan evidence. |
Negative or null findings
- Endothelium-independent dilation, inflammation markers, and several other measures did not differ from placebo.
- n=20; no hard clinical outcome and no lifespan endpoint.
The form used in the trials
A product-fact block, not a recommendation. It records the form the trials used and what they administered. MitoiX does not rank products, name a best one, suggest a dose, or claim an effect.
| Amount used in the trials | Oral MitoQ 20 mg/day for 6 weeks. |
| Trial population | 20 healthy older adults (60-79 y) with impaired endothelial function (Rossman 2018). |
| Regulatory status | Sold as a dietary supplement; not an approved drug and not approved for any anti-aging or cardiovascular indication. No established therapeutic dose for aging. |
| Brand studied | MitoQ |
| Compound | mitoquinol mesylate |
| Dose studied | 20 mg/day for 6 weeks |
| Study record | rossman-2018-mitoq |
Rossman et al. 2018 administered MitoQ 20 mg/day. The brand is named in the study record, so the link points at the material that was tested.
This link is a search scoped to the studied brand, not a link to one product listing. Check the label against the row above before buying anything.
Find MitoQ (mitoquinone) on Amazon →
Links marked with an arrow are affiliate links: MitoiX may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. This never affects what is published — see the affiliate disclosure.