Natural Mitochondria Targeting Substances and Their Effect on Cellular Antioxidant System as a Potential Benefit in Mitochondrial Medicine for Prevention and Remediation of Mitochondrial Dysfunctions

Abstract

Based on the knowledge that many diseases are caused by defects in the metabolism of the cells and, in particular, in defects of the mitochondria, mitochondrial medicine starts precisely at this point. This new form of therapy is used in numerous fields of human medicine and has become a central focus within the field of medicine in recent years. With this form of therapy, the disturbed cellular energy metabolism and an out-of-balance antioxidant system of the patient are to be influenced to a greater extent. The most important tool here is mitotropic substances, with the help of which attempts are made to compensate for existing dysfunction. In this article, both mitotropic substances and accompanying studies showing their efficacy are summarized. It appears that the action of many mitotropic substances is based on two important properties. First, on the property of acting antioxidantly, both directly as antioxidants and via activation of downstream enzymes and signaling pathways of the antioxidant system, and second, via enhanced transport of electrons and protons in the mitochondrial respiratory chain.