Idebenone is an organic compound with the chemical name: 6-(10-hydroxydecyl)-2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone. It is a structural analogue of coenzyme Q10 and is developed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals as a drug for the treatment of cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Idebenone has an activating effect on mitochondrial function, improves brain metabolism and brain dysfunction, and can increase the utilization rate of glucose in the brain and promote the generation of ATP; it improves the metabolism of the neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine in the brain and has a strong antioxidant and free radical scavenging effect. In clinical practice, it is mainly used to treat many central nervous system degenerative diseases related to oxidative stress, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multi-infarct dementia, local cerebral anemia and brain failure, etc. It is also used to treat Friedreich’s ataxia. It can also be used in cosmetic formulas, with cosmetic efficacy such as scavenging free radicals, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, inhibiting inflammation, inhibiting DNA damage, light protection, and reducing pigmentation.