Objective This study aimed to investigate the role of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) in repairing oxidative nerve cells, and to study the antioxidant capacity of PQQ on the oxidative damage of rats caused by apolexis, as well as the effects on learning and memory abilities of apolexis rats. Methods Oxidative damage of PC12 was induced by H₂O₂, and the repairing rate of PQQ on oxidative PC12 cells was tested by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay kit. The 18-month-old male SD rats were administered PQQ (0,0,20,0 mg/kg). After 4 weeks, Morris water maze test was used to test the learning and memory ability. After 6 weeks, serum and brain tissue related indicators and antioxidant capacity were recorded. Results The survival rate of PC12 cells increased from 59.1% to 90.5% with 200 nmol/L PQQ. Compared with the apolexis model group, the latency of the PQQ group (20,0 mg/kg) was shortened in the Morris water maze experiment, the swimming distance was reduced, pass-through counts were increased, and the first secure platform pass-through was reduced. Meanwhile, the levels of malondialdehyde and lipofuscin in serum and brain tissue of PQQ group decreased, the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase vitality, antioxidant capacity of PQQ group (20,0 mg/kg) were enhanced. Conclusion PQQ could repair the oxidative damage of nerve cells, and it was confirmed that PQQ could play the same antioxidant effect in body and brain, and increase the learning and memory ability of apolexis rats.