Bridging the gap between nature and antioxidant setbacks: Delivering caffeic acid to mitochondria

Abstract

As mitochondria have an important role as ATP supplier, cellular ROS producer and apoptosis regulator, these organelles are a promising target for pharmacological intervention in the treatment and management of several diseases. Consequently, research on mitochondria-targeted drugs, which exclude other intracellular structures or extracellular processes, is becoming a hot topic. One approach to address the specific targeting is to conjugate bioactive molecules to a lipophilic cation such as the triphenylphosphonium (TPP +). In this chapter, the development of a new antioxidant based on the dietary cinnamic acid—caffeic acid—is described as well as the demonstration of its mitochondriotropic activity.