Development of a Mitochondriotropic Antioxidant Based on Caffeic Acid: Proof of Concept on Cellular and Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress Models

J Med Chem. 2017 Aug 24;60(16):7084-7098. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00741. Epub 2017 Aug 10.

Abstract

Targeting mitochondrial oxidative stress is an effective therapeutic strategy. In this context, a rational design of mitochondriotropic antioxidants (compounds 22-27) based on a dietary antioxidant (caffeic acid) was performed. Jointly named as AntiOxCINs, these molecules take advantage of the known ability of the triphenylphosphonium cation to target active molecules to mitochondria. The study was guided by structure-activity-toxicity-property relationships, and we demonstrate in this work that the novel AntiOxCINs act as mitochondriotropic antioxidants. In general, AntiOxCINs derivatives prevented lipid peroxidation and acted as inhibitors of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. AntiOxCINs toxicity profile was found to be dependent on the structural modifications performed on the dietary antioxidant. On the basis of mitochondrial and cytotoxicity/antioxidant cellular data, compound 25 emerged as a potential candidate for the development of a drug candidate with therapeutic application in mitochondrial oxidative stress-related diseases. Compound 25 increased GSH intracellular levels and showed no toxicity on mitochondrial morphology and function.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / chemical synthesis
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / toxicity
  • Caffeic Acids / chemical synthesis
  • Caffeic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Caffeic Acids / toxicity
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Iron / chemistry
  • Iron Chelating Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Iron Chelating Agents / pharmacology
  • Iron Chelating Agents / toxicity
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Malates / metabolism
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / drug effects
  • Microsomes, Liver / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Rats
  • Succinic Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Caffeic Acids
  • Iron Chelating Agents
  • Malates
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore
  • Glutamic Acid
  • malic acid
  • Succinic Acid
  • Iron
  • Glutathione