Exploiting endobiotic metabolic pathways to target xenobiotic antioxidants to mitochondria

Oxidative stress plays a role in a range of human disease entities. Hence, strategies to target antioxidants to mitochondria are an active area of investigation. Triphenylphosphonium cation-based antioxidants and SS-peptides have been described and show significant uptake by mitochondria and effectiveness in animal models of conditions linked to oxidative stress. We tested the hypothesis that the mitochondrial β-oxidation pathway could be exploited to activate the antioxidant phenolic and methimazole prodrugs. Most compounds studied underwent mitochondrial biotransformation to release their antioxidant moieties, and some were cytoprotective in a hypoxia–reoxygenation model in rat cardiomyocytes. These results demonstrate the feasibility of exploiting mitochondrial bioactivation reactions for targeted drug delivery.

► The mitochondrial targeting strategies currently being investigated are reviewed. ► The use of endobiotic metabolic pathways to target antioxidants to mitochondria is described. ► Preclinical and human clinical studies of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants are discussed.