WO2007046729A1

WO2007046729A1 - Method of acting upon organism by targeted delivery of biologicaly active substances into m itochondria, pharmaceutical composition for carrying out said method, and compound used for the purpose

Info

Publication number: WO2007046729A1
Application number: PCT/RU2006/000394
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vladimir Petrovich Skulachev
Original assignee: Limited Liability Company 'mitotechnology'
Priority date: 2005-10-18
Filing date: 2006-07-24
Publication date: 2007-04-26
Also published as: BRPI0617417A2; CA2626305A1; CN101300014A; RU2318500C2; US9328130B2; ZA200803350B; RU2005132217A; US20080176929A1; AU2006302751A1; MX2008004939A; EP1937277A1; KR20080059228A; IL190951A0; JP2009511626A

Abstract

This invention relates to biology and medicine and, in particular, can be used in medicine to make a pharmaceutical composition for targeted delivery of biologically active substances into mitochondria, driven by proton electro-chemical potential in the mitochondria. This invention also relates to the method to affect an organism by the targeted delivery of biologically active compounds to mitochondria. The invention can be useful in treatment of diseases or disorders associated with not normal functioning of mitochondria, in particular diseases associated with increased production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species.

Description

METHOD OF ACTING UPON ORGANISM BY TARGETED DELIVERY OF

BIOLOGICALY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES INTO M ITOCHONDRIA,

PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD,

AND COMPOUND USED FOR THE PURPOSE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to biology and medicine and particularly may be useful in medicine for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for targeted delivery of biologically active substances into mitochondria, such delivery being driven by proton electrochemical potential. The invention also relates to a method of acting upon an organism, which comprises said delivery of required biologically active substances into mitochondria. Background of the Invention

Mitochondria play a key role in a number of crucial intracellular processes, such as energetic metabolism in a cell (since the principle function of mitochondria is to provide the cell with energy), metabolism of certain substances (e.g., fatty acids), etc. Mitochondria are also directly involved in the formation and utilization of free radicals (FR) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) - extremely reactive moieties that can affect many processes in a living cell. Finally, mitochondria were recently proved to play a key role in the process of programmed cell death.

Many diseases are known to be associated with the dysfunction of mitochondria. To this category there belong all disorders associated with an increased formation of FR and ROS, single or mass dying of cells within a tissue or an organ, disturbances in the programmed cell death mechanism (apoptosis), disturbances in the metabolism of fatty acids, etc.

It is hypothesized that by acting on mitochondria it is possible to influence most diverse aspects of the vital activity of cells and of the whole organism.

Within the framework of the present invention a new technology is proposed for acting on mitochondria in a living cell via targeted delivery and accumulation of various biologically active substances in these organelles.

This approach offers obvious advantages. Targeted delivery of a substance makes it possible to increase the efficiency of its application, to reduce the overall dosage (since an effective concentration of a substance is attained owing to repeated accumulation of the substance inside the target compartment of the cell), to reduce the probability, and strength of side effects.

The functional organization of mitochondria per se provides a unique opportunity for the targeting: the functioning mitochondrion actively pumps-out protons from its matrix into cytoplasm. This process creates an extremely high electrochemical potential of hydrogen ions (proton potential) on the inner membrane of the mitochondrion.

Bioenergetic studies have resulted in finding a number of compounds that can penetrate the mitochondrial membrane and actively accumulate inside mitochondria in a proton potential-dependent fashion. These substances received the name "Skulachev ions" (Green D.E., "The electromechanochemical model for energy coupling in mitochondria", 1974, Biochem. Biophys. Acta., 346:27-780). Such ions usually do not display pronounced biological activity. The main idea of the present invention is to use Skulachev ions to create a new compound that includes, besides a Skulachev ion as such, another desirable substance (in the context of the present invention termed as effector moiety, or effector) which should be delivered into mitochondria.

A very limited number of mitochondrially-targeted biologically active substances are known at the moment. Some related substances are described in US 6,331,532 and EP 1 047 701 (mitoquinol (MitoQ), Mitovitamin E (MitoVitE)) and in EP 1 534 720 (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase mimetics linked to triphenyl phosphonium). Some of these compounds and their activity are described in papers discussed below.

Compounds comprising superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase mimetics are claimed in EP 1 534 720 as mitochondrially-targeted antioxidants suitable for treating diseases caused by oxidative stress and the like. In the experimental examples that illustrate the invention EPl 534 720 data are presented about the ability of these mimetics to penetrate into mitochondria and about their antioxidant action in solution and in interaction with isolated mitochondria. No data about the effect of these compounds on cells or on an organism as a whole are presented. But at the same time there are data about high reactivity of the indicated mimetics with respect to sulfhydryl groups of proteins. Such reactivity must sharply reduce the efficiency and seriously limit possible application of mitochondrially-targeted antioxidants comprising mimetics of superoxide dismutase or of glutathione peroxidase (ebselen), as was shown by Filipovska A., Kelso G.F., Brown S. E., Beer S.M., Smith R.A., Murphy M.P., J Biol. Chem. 2005, 280(25):24113-26. This study demonstrated that ebselen covalently linked to a mitochondria-targeting moiety (the whole compound is termed mitoebselen) has the same antioxidant efficiency as the conventional ebselen. In other words, targeting of mitoebselen-type compounds, even if it enhances their antioxidant action, this advantage is leveled down by the undesired side activity of mitoebselen.

Another mitochondrially targeted antioxidant is MitoVitE, a compound comprising triphenylphosphonium as the targeting moiety and vitamin E as the antioxidant. In the specification of the invention EP 1 047 701 data are presented about the antioxidant activity of this compound in a rat brain homogenate, as well as the ability of MitoVitE to penetrate into isolated mitochondria and living cells in culture. It is also shown that in a concentration of up to 10 μM MitoVitE does not affect the viability of cells in culture, while a further increase of the MitoVitE leads to a decrease of the survival of cells. However, no antioxidant activity of MitoVitE on individual cells, tissues, organs or entire organism was demonstrated. The effect of MitovitE on cells in culture is described in the publication Jauslin MX., Meier T., Smith R.A., Murphy M.P., FASEB J. 2003 17(13): 1972-4. From this paper it follows that the ability of MitoVitE to prevent programmed cell death does not disappear against the background of the uncoupler FCCP (3-fluoromethyl-carbonylcyanide phenylhydrazone), that is, under the conditions when targeted accumulation of MitovitE in mitochondria is not feasible. These data show that even if mitochondrial targeting of MitoVitE does take place, such targeting does not play a decisive role in the biological effect of this compound.

The mitochondrially targeted antioxidant MitoQ and its variants (MitoQ5, MitoQ3) comprise ubiquinone (ubiquinol in its reduced form) linked to triphenylphosphonium by a C-10 linker (C5, C3 accordingly). In the specification of the invention US 6,331,532 MitoQ is claimed as the active compound in compositions intended for the treatment or prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress. In the experiments presented in the specification of this invention there are demonstrated the antioxidant properties of MitoQ in solution, the ability of this compound to penetrate into isolated mitochondria, the influence on the respiration efficiency of isolated mitochondria. However, no data on the effect of MitoQ on living cells, tissue, organs of entire organism, on the presence or absence of toxicity are presented in this document.

Additional data on the MitoQ activity can be found in WO2005/019233 of the same group of inventors, where they show the efficiency of MitoQ for preventing lipid peroxidation on isolated mitochondria, and also in the publication by. Adlam VJ., Harrison J.C., Porteous CM., James A.M., Smith R.A., Murphy M.P., Sammut I.A., 2005, FASEB J.

19:1088-95. In this paper the authors presented the only so far known example of the MitoQ action on an organism in an experiment of feeding rats with MitoQ, followed by the study of their heart function with the Lagendorff system (Lagendorff-perfused heart preparation). The reported data indirectly support the assertion that MitoQ can be used for the prevention or treatment of myocardial ischemic damage. However, several inaccuracies and arguable points of this study do not allow to convincingly prove such statement. Thus, the model used by the authors - 30-minute normothermic ischemia followed by reperfusion - is a frequently used model to study ischemic damage of the myocardium. However, the major disadvantage of this method is the electric instability of the isolated heart during reperfusion. It is known that a certain number of hearts cannot restore their activity at all due to periodic or constant fibrillation, and periodic arrhythmia occurs almost in every experiment of such a series. There is indication of neither fibrillation nor arrhythmia in the cited paper. Therefore it remains unclear, whether the mean values obtained by the authors characterize a whole group of experiments or only those experiments in which the arrhythmia was less pronounced. Besides, taking into account the above reasons, it is clear that the number of animals in each experimental group (six) is clearly not sufficient for the given model.

The supposition that the data obtained the authors of the above paper are not correct is partly supported by a rather strange observation of a significant increase in the contractile function in both control and experimental series under the reperfusion conditions that should be inevitably followed by death of cardiac myocytes. This result could be obtained if the calculation of the contractile function was performed using only active hearts, excluding "switched-off ' unstable ones, whereas the rate of perfusion was calculated using all hearts. Such method is obviously incorrect. Though the mean data for any reperfusion period in the MitoQ-treated group are higher than in the groups treated with control preparations, these groups were compared with one another, and thus the significance of these differences is not clear.

Therefore, the main conclusion made by the authors that MitoQ is the sole cardioprotector compound appears to be not sufficiently convincing. Such opinion is corroborated by the absence of results of investigating the mitochondrial ultrastructure, the yield of lactate dehydrogenase, cytochrome C, caspase 3, complex 1 and the aconitase activity in mitochondria in the groups treated with control substances. Overall, a detailed analysis of the above publication reveals very vulnerable points at stages of selection and analysis of the obtained results. It is likely that the authors of said paper are not very experienced in dealing with the model used. Therefore it may be asserted that the cardioprotective action of MitoQ remains unproved.

It should also be noted that despite very encouraging results concerning the MitoQ action on cell cultures, there are several observations and calculations that cast doubt on the possibility of practical application of this compound. For example, it was shown in experiments with cell cultures that MitoQ produces its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effect at a concentration of about 1 μM in the medium. At the moment it is considered to have been proved that under these conditions the MitoQ concentration in mitochondria can reach 1 mM. On the other hand, it was shown by Smith R.A., Porteous CM., Gane A.M., Murphy M.P., Proc Natl Acad Sd USA, 2003, 100(9):5407-12, that when MitoQ is fed to laboratory animals, the accumulation of MitoQ in the most oxidative stress-sensitive tissues (the brain and cardiac muscle) amounts to the maximum concentration of 100 pmoles per gram of live weight. Calculations show that with such MitoQ concentration in a tissue even maximum saturated with mitochondria (the cardiac muscle) the MitoQ concentration inside mitochondria does not exceed 100 nmoles. This is more than 1000 times lower than the concentration demonstrated to be efficient in the cell culture experiments. Increasing the dosage administered to the laboratory animals at least 10-fold cannot be achieved due to the toxicity of the preparation.

Thus, the existing state of the art discloses only one type of mitochondrially targeted compounds: substances claimed as mitochondrially targeted antioxidants. No other mitochondrially targeted biologically active compounds are known to date. It should be noted that the already disclosed substances claimed as mitochondrially targeted antioxidants do not solve the posed problem, because their biological activity has been described extremely poorly and the prospects of their practical application for the claimed purposes are indefinite. Besides, for the majority of the disclosed compounds their inefficiency has already been proved. Summary of the Invention

The present invention is based on the principle of concentration of biologically active substances in the mitochondria of live cells through the use of the energy of the electrochemical potential of hydrogen ions and of Skulachev ions. Such an approach has unexpectedly allowed achieving a manyfold decrease of the dosage of the employed biologically active substances, a targeted effective action on mitochondria, that are the key element in the most important intracellular processes. Thus provides an opportunity for a manyfold decrease of the probability and strength of unfavorable side effects.

Thus, one of the aspects of the present invention is to provide a method of acting on an organism via targeted delivery of biologically active substances to mitochondria at the expense of the energy of the electrochemical potential of hydrogen ions.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a composition for targeted delivery of biologically active substance to the mitochondria of cells, said composition comprising a compound that consists of a targeting moiety providing the delivery of the entire compound into mitochondria, a linker group, and an effector - a substance with the required biological activity. On the whole, such a compound can be represented by the general formula::

(I) wherein A is the effector group, comprising: a) an antioxidant (II)

and/or a reduced form thereof wherein m is an integer from 1 to 3; each Y represent the same or different substituents consisting of: a lower alkyl, lower alkoxy; or two vicinal Y are interlinked so as to form the structure:

and/or a reduced form thereof wherein Rl and R2 are the same or different substituents and are each independently a lower alkyl or lower alkoxy; b) a pro-oxidant; c) an apoptosis inductor d) an inhibitor of anti-apoptosis proteins of mitochondrial localization; e) a photosensitizer.

In this aspect of the present invention:

Antioxidant is a compound which can react with FR and ROS, neutralizing their dangerous properties. It is preferable that said antioxidant in its radical form could react with, the respiratory chain of mitochondria and thus restore its antioxidant properties for subsequent reaction with FR or ROS. The preferred antioxidant corresponding to structure (II) is 2,3-dimethyl-l,4-benzoquinol (a residue of plastoquinol - of the most powerful antioxidant from thylakoids of protoplasts, i.e., of one of the most FR- and ROS-saturated sites in animated nature);

Prooxidant is a compound which can form and/or stimulate formation of free radicals and/or reactive oxygen species upon having entered into a cell: paraquat, menadione, organic hydroperoxides;

Apoptosis inductor is a compound which, having been delivered into mitochondria, activates in some way or other programmed cell death (apoptosis). The preferable apoptosis inductor in the constitution of compound (I) is phenyl arsene oxide, regarded at present as the most effective inductor of mitochondrial pore formation;

Inhibitor of anti-apoptosis proteins of mitochondrial localization is a compound which is able to interact with one or more anti-apoptosis proteins localized in mitochondria (including membrane anti-apoptosis proteins) and suppress their activity. The preferable inhibitor of anti-apoptosis proteins of mitochondrial localization is ABT737. These compounds are believed to be especially useful when combined with a chemotherapeutical agent for facilitating the apoptosis induction;

Photosensitizer is a compound which is able to produce singlet oxygen or other reactive oxygen species or free radicals under illumination. The preferred photosensitizers are: phthalocyanine optionally containing a metal substituent and complexes thereof;: porphyrin and its derivatives, particularly BDP-Mac or BDP-MaD; or foscan (mTHPC).

L is a linker group, comprising: a) a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain optionally substituted with one or more substituents and optionally containing one or more double or triple bonds; b) a naturally occurring isoprene chain; n is an integer from 1 to 20;

B is a targeting group, comprising: a) a Skulachev ion Sk:

Sk⁺ Z^" where Sk is a lipophilic cation, Z is a pharmacologically acceptable anion; b) a charged hydrophobic peptide containing 1-20 amino acids; with the proviso that in the compound of structure (I) A is neither ubiquinone (e.g. 2- methyl-4,5-dimethoxy-3,6-dioxo-l,4-cyclohexadienyl) nor tocopherol or mimetic of superoxide dismutase or ebselen; wherein L is a divalent decyl or divalent pentyl or divalent propyl radical; and B is triphenylphosphonium; as well as solvates, isomers, prodrugs and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier thereof.

A further aspect of the invention is the provision of a therapeutic or prophylactic (preventive) agent - a compound corresponding to structure (I) - useful in treating diseases which can be cured, prevented or alleviated by lowering the amount of free radicals or reactive oxygen species in separate cells, tissues, sites, organs or in an entire organism with the help of mitochondrially targeted antioxidants. In connection with this aspect of the invention, there is proposed:

- use of mitochondrially targeted antioxidants corresponding to structure (I) to prolong the life span of humans or animals; use of a therapeutic or prophylactic agent effective when a disease is caused by aging of an organism and by increase of oxidative stress; in particular, use of mitochondrially targeted antioxidants to treat ophthalmologic diseases caused by oxidative stress and/or massive death of retinal cells, involved in processes providing vision; to combat cataract; to treat retina macular degeneration;

- use of mitochondrially targeted antioxidants corresponding to structure (I) for the treatment or prevention of diseases caused by mass programmed cell death in tissues and organs and/or associated with the propagation of signals initiating programmed cell death in damaged tissue; - use of mitochondrially targeted antioxidants corresponding structure (I) for the treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular diseases, when programmed cell death, apoptosis or necrosis play a key role; for the treatment and/or prevention of heart attack, stroke; for preventing harmful effects of reoxygenation;

- use of mitochondrially targeted antioxidants corresponding to structure (I) during surgical operations to protect healthy tissues from damage;

- use of mitochondrially targeted antioxidants corresponding to structure (I) during transplantation for preventing rejection of transplanted material, as well as for preserving transplantation material; use of mitochondrially targeted antioxidants corresponding to structure (I) in cosmetology, to overcome consequences of burns, to stimulate healing of wounds, including surgical sutures;

- use of mitochondrially targeted antioxidants corresponding to structure (I) as an antiinflamatory drug.

A still further aspect of the invention is the provision of a therapeutic or prophylactic (preventive) agent corresponding to structure (I) for treatment or prophylaxis of oncological diseases. In connection with this aspect of the invention, there is proposed:

- use of mitochondrially targeted anticancer agents for combating formation of metastases, angiogenesis, as well as for targeted initiation of programmed cell death in cancer cells;

- use of mitochondrially targeted prooxidants corresponding to structure (I) as the mitochondrially targeted anticancer preparations, preferably mitochondrially targeted paraquat, mitochondrially targeted menadion, or mitochondrially targeted antioxidants incapable of being restored (reduced) by the mitochondrial respiratory chain and, thus, manifesting prooxidant properties (for example, compound DMMQ);

- use of mitochondrially targeted inducers of apoptosis corresponding to structure (I) as the mitochondrially targeted anticancer preparations. Such an approach is preferable over the use of conventional inducers of apoptosis, since mitochondria provide a large number of possibilities to trigger programmed cell death. One of the preferred ways of such an initiation is chemical linkage of the sulfhydryl groups of mitochondrial membrane proteins via the effector group of the mitochondrially targeted inducer of apoptosis. The preferable effector group of such a compound is phenyl arsene oxide; - use of mitochondrially targeted inhibitors of antiapoptotic proteins of mitochondrial localization as the mitochondrially targeted anticancer preparations corresponding to structure (I). The preferable proteins, the activity of which should be inhibited by such preparations, are bcl-2 and allied proteins. One of the most preferable inhibitors is ABT737.

It is also an aspect of the present invention to use, as the mitochondrially targeted anticancer preparation, a composition comprising mitochondrially targeted inhibitors of antiapoptotic proteins of mitochondrial localization and conventional preparations inducing programmed death of cancer cells.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is the use as the mitochondrially targeted anticancer preparation of a composition comprising mitochondrially targeted antioxidants corresponding to structure (I) and conventional preparations that induce programmed death of cancer cells. In this aspect of the invention, application of antioxidants linked to lipophilic cations is preferable, since in cancer cells the activity of enzymes capable of pumping out lipophilic cations (enzymes responsible for multiple drug resistance) is observed to be strongly increased. Thus, the mitochondrially targeted antioxidant will be accumulated predominantly in healthy cells, and that will result in their predominant survival during anticancer therapy, which, in turn, will lower the strength of undesirable side effects of said therapy; use of mitochondrially targeted antioxidants to increase the efficiency of chemotherapy or radiotherapy of cancer;

- use of a mitochondrially targeted photosensitizer as the mitochondrially targeted anticancer preparation;

- use of a mitochondrially targeted photosensitizer in the photodynamic therapy of cancer that allows mitochondrial induction of apoptosis. This approach offers a number of essential advantages over conventional methods of photodynamic therapy, since (a) it allows eliminating cancer cells with the aid of programmed cell death rather than necrosis (associated with a number of undesired consequences), (b) it allows decreasing essentially the amount of the employed photosensitizer, whereby the probability of the origination and the strength of undesired side effects are lowered;

- use of mitochondrially targeted antioxidant SkQl as the preferable anticancer agent. A still further aspect of the . invention is the use of a mitochondrially targeted antioxidant which comprises as the targeting group the residue of structure (III) for treating diseases associated with metabolism; diabetes.

It is also an aspect of the invention to provide a method of disinfection of tissues, blood or other substances containing cells and cell elements, with the help of free radicals.

Within the framework of this method the desired cells and cell elements are protected from oxidative stress by a mitochondrially targeted antioxidant, while all pathogens are destroyed by free radicals.

Yet another aspect of the invention is the use of mitochondrially targeted antioxidants in biotechnology for enhancing the viability of human or animal cells in cell culture for research or technological purposes. This aspect of the invention is based on the fact that in a large number of cases the concentration of oxygen in a cell culture medium essentially exceeds the oxygen concentration in a tissue, whereby the probability of oxidative stress in cells is sharply increased, this, in its turn, leading to a higher probability of apoptosis or necrosis, decreases the viability of such cells. Treating cells with a mitochondrially targeted antioxidant sharply reduces the acuteness of oxidative stress. Treatment of cells with mitochondrially targeted antioxidants also significantly increases the biomass of the cells, and thus rises their productivity. In connection with this aspect of the invention it is proposed to:

- use mitochondrially targeted antioxidants for increasing the productivity of human, animal, plant or fungal cells in culture for producing pharmaceuticals; proteins, antibodies;

- use mitochondrially targeted antioxidants for increasing the productivity of integral plants when used for producing pharmaceuticals: proteins, antibodies; use mitochondrially targeted antioxidants for increasing the productivity of cells of yeasts or other fungi of genera Saccharomyces, Pichia, Hansenula, Endomyces, Yarrowia in cell culture, when used for producing pharmaceuticals: proteins, antibodies;

- use mitochondrially targeted antioxidants for increasing the viability of plant protoplasts in cell culture, when used for producing pharmaceuticals: proteins, antibodies, as well as for producing genetically modified plants;

- use mitochondrially targeted antioxidants for producing transgenic plants for increasing the viability of regenerating plants, callus cells; - use mitochondrially targeted prooxidants for combating pathogenic microorganisms: protozoa, fungi, bacteria.

A next aspect of the invention is to provide a method for the synthesis of mitochondrially targeted antioxidants using a lipophilic cation as the targeting moiety.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 shows the penetration of SkQl through an artificial membrane;

Fig. 2 demonstrates spontaneous oxidation of quinol derivatives MitoQ and SkQl;

Fig. 3 shows increase of the oxidation rate of "MitoQ" and "SkQl" quinol derivatives upon introducing a superoxide radical into the system. A is the oxidation rate of the forms reduced by both air oxygen and the superoxide radical; B is the oxidation rate of the forms reduced by the superoxide radical only;

Fig. 4 shows reduction of "MitoQ" and "SkQl" by the respiratory chain of rat liver mitochondria (0.2 mg/ml protein) energized by succinate (5 niM) in the presence of 2 μM rotenone;

Fig. 5 describes oxidation of quinols "MitoQ" and "SkQl" by the respiratory chain of rat liver mitochondria energized by succinate (5 mM) in the presence of 2 μM rotenone. After complete reduction of quinol derivatives, the respiratory chain was blocked by 25 mM malonate, and the reoxidation rate of "MitoQ" and "SkQl" was measured:

Fig. 6 shows the cytotoxic effect of "MitoQ" and "SkQl" on HeIa cells. The percentage of living cells is proportional to O.D. (at 492 nm) of MTT-formazan;

Fig. 7 shows the influence of SkQ and some other preparations on the development of retina degeneration in OXYS rats. The percentage of the eyes having degenerative changes in the macular region of the retina is plotted along the Y-axis;

Fig. 8 shows the percentage of the eyes with macula changes of the 2nd stage. Administering of SkQl not only decreased the morbidity of maculodystrophy but also substantially reduced the degree of macula changes. The percentage of the eyes with maculodystrophy of the 2nd stage is plotted along the Y-axis;

Fig. 9 shows degenerative changes in the macular region of the retina in OXYS rats before administering and after a 45-day course of KBr, SkQl or vitamin E;

Fig. 10 describes the influence of SkQl and some other preparations on the cataract morbidity in OXYS rats. The percentage of the eyes having changes of the crystalline lens is plotted along the Y-axis; Fig. 11 shows the percentage of the eyes with crystalline lens changes of the 2nd stage. Administering of SkQl not only decreased the morbidity but also substantially reduced the degree of cataract. The percentage of the eyes with changes corresponding to the 2nd stage of disease is plotted along the Y-axis;

Fig. 12 shows the condition of the crystalline lens in OXYS rats before administering and after a 45-day course of KBr, SkQl and vitamin E;

Fig. 13 shows the influence of three different concentrations of SkQl on the survival rate of mice -with implanted Ehriich's ascitic carcinoma;

Fig. 14 shows the effect of protein, synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide D (ChD) and antioxidants on cells of YarrσWia lipolytica treated with 5 mM hydrogen peroxide. The survival rate was estimated using the number of grown colonies on solid medium. The cells were transferred onto the solid medium after 3 hours of incubation.

Best Mode Carrying Out the Invention

The following Experimental Examples axe given to illustrate the possibility of carrying out the invention, in particular the action of the inventive compounds corresponding to structure (I). These Examples are intended only to support the validity of the claims, but should not be understood as limiting the scope of the application or use of the invention.

Experimental example I: Synthesis of compounds of structure (I) — rhodarnine G 2,3-dimethyI-l,4-benzoqumone-5-decyl ester

Compound SkQRl was synthesized, which corresponds to structure (I) and comprises a residue of rhodarnine G as the targeting group and a plastoquinone residue as the antioxidant effector group, since plastoquinone is a naturally occurring antioxidant present in thylakoids of protoplasts, Ie., of one of the most FR- and ROS-saturated sites in animated nature.

(SbQRl)

The following reagents and solvents were used in the work: 2,3-Dimethyl hydroquinone,

11-bromoundecanoic acid, rhodanαine G, N,N'-dicyclohexyl carbodiimide, potassium bromate, silver nitrate, ammonium persulfate, cesium carbonate purchased from Fluka, Aldrich, Sigma or Merck; column chromatography was carried out on silica gel "Silicagel 60" (0,063-0,2 MM), Merck; dimethyl formamide, dichloromethane, benzene, acetonitrile ■ and other solvents were produced domestically;

TLC was carried out on "Kieselgel 60 F₂₅₄" plates (Merck). Compounds containing groups absorbing in the UV region were detected with the aid of Brumberg's chemiscope. Compounds containing a quinone ring were detected in ammonia vapors. Rhodamine- containing compounds were detected visually.

UV absorption spectra were recorded on a «Cary 50 Bio» spectrometer (Varian).

HPLC analysis and purification were carried out on an Adjilent 1100 apparatus in acetonitrile gradient in 10 mM H₃PO₄.

MALDI-TOF and ESI mass spectra were run on a Ultraflex or Autoflex mass spectrometer (Bruker Daltonics, Germany), equipped with a 337 nm laser.

Infrared spectra were recorded in film on a Specord 40.

¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra were registered at 303 K using a Bruker Avance-400 spectrometer.

The synthesis of SkQRl is illustrated in Scheme 1.

Scheme 1

SkQRl

Synthesis of 2₎3-diπiethyl-l,4-benzoquinone (2)

0,83 g (6 mrnol) of 2,3 -dimethyl hydroquinone was added to the solution of 0.34 g (2 mmol) potassium bromate in H₂O (β ail) and 5N sulfuric acid (0.3 ml). The mixture was heated to 6O⁰C and stirred. The reaction temperature was then raised to 8OC. On completion of the reaction the mixture was cooled to room temperature and extracted with ether. The combined organic layers were back-washed with BfeO, dried with anhydrous CaCk, filtered and the filtrate was evaporated in vacuo to obtain, 0.74 g (90%) of crude product. Title compound was dissolved in ether (20 ml) and passed through a silica gel layer (30x30mm). The silica gel was washed with ether several times, the ether was removed in vacuo to obtain 0.67 g of 2,3-dimemyl-l,4-benzoquinone (HPLC purity 99.37%).

TLC: Rf 0.46 (chloroform); HPLC: τ = 17.6 min (0-90% B for 26.4 min; A: 10 mM H₃PO₄; B: acetonitrile); M.p. 6O⁰C; UV (methanol): λ_max209 nm, 256 ran, 344 nm.

Synthesis of 2,3-dimethyl- 5-(10'-bromodecyl)-l,4-benzoquinone (3)

136 mg (1 mmol) of 2,3-dimethyl-l,4-benzoquinone (2) was dissolved in a mixture of acetonitrile and H₂O (10 ml, (1:1)). To the resulting solution 292 mg (1.1 mmol) of 11- bromoundecanoic acid and silver nitrate (170 mg, 1 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was heated to 60 — 7O⁰C and a solution of ammonium persulfate (228 mg, 1 mmol) in H₂O (10 ml) was added dropwise. Heating was continued for 1 more hour, then the reaction mixture was cooled and extracted with ether. The combined ethereal layers were back-washed with a 5% sodium bicarbonate solution, dried with MgSO₄, filtered, and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel. The title compound (3) was obtained as dark-red oil (70% yield).

TLC: R_f 0.62 (chloroform); HPLC: τ = 23 min (79 -90% B for 26.4 min; A: 10 mM H₃PO₄; B: acetonitrile); UV (methanol): W 207 nm, 258 nm, 344 nm; MALDI-TOF MS: calc. for C₁₈H₂₇O₂Br: 355.3; found m/z 356.1 (MH⁺; 100%); IR: 2928, 2336, 1600, 1496, 1304 cm^"1.

Synthesis of rhodamine G cesium salt (4)

1 ml of 2M aqueous solution of cesium carbonate was added to a solution of rhodamine G (200 mg, 0.48 mmol) in methanol (6 ml). The product was filtered, washed with ether and dried in vacuo at 6O⁰C. 210 mg (80%) of title compound (4) were obtained as dark-violet crystalline solid.

M.p. > 25O⁰C (decomp.)

Synthesis of 10-(2',3'-dimethyl-l',4'-benzoquinone-5'-decanoyl)rhodamine G

Compound (4) (190 mg) was suspended in DMFA (5 ml) and compound (3) (200 mg, 0.56 mmol) was added thereto. The reaction mixture heated to 5O⁰C and stirred for 48 hrs, then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel in a chloroform-methanol system (4:1). The fraction containing the title compound was evaporated to dryness. To the dry residue 5N HCl in dioxane (150 μl) was added, then evaporated again and crystallized tinder benzene to yield 160 mg (65%) of the title compound.

TLC: Rf 0.68 (chloroform - methanol, 4:1); R_f 0,80 (chlorofonn-methanol-water, 65:25:4);

BDPLC: τ = 23.9 min (0 -90 % B for 26.4 min; A: 1OmM H₃PO₄; B: acetonitrile);

M.p. 178-180⁰C (deconip.);

UV (methanol): X_n^_x 250, 350, 535 mm, S₅₃₅ = 80000;

. Elemental analysis: calc. for C₄₄H₅₃ClN₂O₅: C, 72.86; H, 7.36; Cl, 4.89; N, 3.86; found: C, 72.53; H, 7.21; Cl, 4.22; N₅ 3.61;

ES MS: calc. for C₄₄H₅1N₂O₅ 688,89; found m/z 689,4 (MH^4"; 100%);

IR. (film): 3200, 2928, 2336, 1700, 1685, 1600, 1496, 1304 cm ¹;

¹H-NMR (400 MHz; DMSO~d_<,; atom numeration in structure as indicated above): 0.95-1.25 ppm (br. m, 14H, 2", 3", 4", 5", 6", 7", 8" - (CH₂)_?); 1-24 ppm (t, 6H, J= 6,8 Hz, 2"", 2""^? -(CHs)₂); 1.41 ppm (q, 2H, J = 7,5 Hz); 1,92 and 1,94 (each - s, 3H, 4'", 5"' - (CH₃)₂); 2.09 ppm (s, 6H, 2,7 -(CH₃)₂); 3.48 ppm (q, 4H, - 1"", 1"" -(CH₂)₂); 3.85 ppm (t, 2H, J = 6,3 Hz, 1" -CH₂); 6. 57 ppm (s, IH, H₃-); 6,80 and 6,91 (each - s, 3H, H₁, H₅ and E₄, H₈); 7.44 ppm (dd, IH; J₁ = 7,8, J₂= 1 Hz; H₆.-.); 7.74 ppm (t, 2H, J = 5,8 Hz; 3,6 -NH); 8.60 -8.70 ppm (m, 2H, H₄-. and H₅^); 8,22 (dd, IH, Ji= 8,2; J₂ = 1,1 Hz, H₃-).

¹³C-NMR (400 MHz; DMSO-d₆): 11.59 and 11.98 ppm (4"', 5"' -(CHa)₂); 13.45 ppm (2"" and 2'"" -(CH₃)₂); 17.29 ppm (2,7 -(CHs)₂); 25.07, 27.29, 27.57, 28.25, 28.39, 28.51, 28.55, 28.56 and 28.65 (2"_} 3", 4", 5", 6", 7", 8", 9", 10" -(CH₂)₉); 37.86 (1"", 1'"" - (N-CHz)₂); 64.96 (1 " -CH₂); 93.45 (C₄ and C₅); 112.78 (C₁ and C₈); 125.32 (C₄.); 128.38 (C₅'); 129.78 and 130.75 (Cr and C₂-); 130.20 and 130.22 (C₅', C₈* and C_9a); 131.77 (C₂); 132.85 (C₉-O; 132.88 (C₃-); 139.79 and 140.36 (C₄- and C₅-); 148.40 (Ci-); 155.71 and 156.6 (C_4a - Cioa and C₃- - C₆-); 164.98 (COOR); 186.91 and 187.00 (C₃- and C₆-). By following a similar procedure, another compound corresponding to structure (I) — 2,3-dimethyl-,4-benzoquinone-5-decyl-triphenyIphosphonium bromide was prepared. This compound differs from the above-described SkQRl in that the targeting group employed in it is triphenylphosphonium. The effector and linker groups are the same as in the earlier-described compound. The synthesis of mitochondrially targeted antioxidant SkQl is presented in Scheme 2:

Scheme 2

SkQl

The synthesis comprises the following steps:

1. Oxidation of 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone (1) by potassium bromate to the corresponding 2,3 -dimethyl- 1,4-benzoquinone (2).

2. Addition of 11-bromoundecanoic acid (3) to the obtained 2,3-dimethyl- 1,4-benzoquinone (2) in the presence of silver nitrate and sodium persulfate.

3. Formation of target compound (5) in the course of the reaction with triphenylphosphine in the atmosphere of oxygen.

The obtained compound is a yellowish-brown highly hygroscopic solid. From the results of investigating the structure of the target compound by the NMR,

HPLC and MS techniques, the structure of the obtained compound was established to be identical with the prescribed formula. The purity of the sample was no less than 98.5%.

The product purity control was carried by two methods: high-pressure HPLC and high-resolution PMR (500 MHz). Two methods of registering purity of the SkQl product were required in connection with pronounced surfactant properties of this compound, which render the chromatographic process difficult

The SkQl concentration in the obtained preparation, as determined by HPLC, is 98.55%. The NMR data are presented below:

¹H-NMR (CDCI₃; δ, ppm; atom numeration in structure as indicated above): 7.82-7.58 (m,

15H, aromatics); 6.38 (s, IH₅ ff-5); 3.6 (m, 2H, CiT₂P(Ph)₃); 2.25 (m, 2H,

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂P(Ph)₃); 1.90 (br s, 6H, CH₃); 1.55, 1.32, 1.15

(3m, 6H, 3CH₂).

HQSC (DMSO; δ, ppm): 8.15 (br s, IH, tautomeric OH), 7.88-7.20 (m, 15H₅ aromatics);

7.08 (br s, IH, tautomeric OH), 6.38 (s, IH, H-5); 3.55 (m, 2H, OZ₂P(Ph)₃); 2.4 (m, 2H,

CF₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂P(Ph)₃); 2.05, 1.90 (2s, each of 3H, CH₃); 1.5 (m,

6H₃ 3CH₂).

¹³C-NMR (DMSO; δ, ppm): 147.83, 144.65 (C-I, CA); 134.75-129.97 (Ph); 113.01

CtI₂P(Ph)₃; 12.72, 11.89 (CH₃).

ESI-MS (m/z): [M]⁺ calc. 537.7, found 537.4

Also by following a similar procedure, a compound corresponding to structure (I) was synthesized: 10-(2-methyl-5-methoxy-3₅6-dioxo-l ,4-cyciohexadienyl)~decyl~ triphenylphosphonium bromide (DMMQ). In this compound demethoxyubiquinone is used as the effector group. This compound can interact with free radicals, reactive oxygen species and oxygen, but judging from its structure and proceeding from the present-day knowledge of the functioning of mitochondria, it may be inferred that said compound will not be reduced by the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and, consequently, will display prooxidant, cytotoxic properties.

DMMQ

Experimental example 2: "Transfer of the compounds corresponding to structure (I) across the planar lipid membrane".

It was shown that the test compound corresponding to structure (I) (compound SkQl was used) penetrates through the planar bilayer phospholipid membrane, moving along the concentration gradient and distributes across the membrane according to the Nernst equation. Therefore, SkQl is a penetrating cation.

The experimental procedure was used several times before in experiments aimed at exploring the ability of different ions to penetrate through the planar bilayer lipid membrane and is described in detail by Starkov A.A., Bloch D.A., Chemyak B.V.,Dedukhova V.I., Mansurova S. A. Symonyan R.A., Vygodina T. V., Skulachev V.P.,1997, Biochem. Biophys. Acta, 1318, 159-172 This method comprises using two chambers filled with a water-based solution and separated by a bilayer membrane and electrornetric registering of the transfer of charged compounds capable of penetrating across such membrane from one chamber into another. hi our experiment the membrane was made of a mixture of phosphatidylcholine and diphytonayl dissolved in decane; both chambers were filled with 50 mM TrisHCl, pH 7.4, containing 10^"7 M SkQl.

SkQl was titrated in concentrations from 10^"7 M to 10^"5 M. It was shown that within the range of 410^'6 M to 4' IQ^"5 M the distribution of SkOl obeys Nernst equation for ideal membrane-penetrating cations At smaller concentrations Nernst equation is not fulfilled (the results are presented in Fig. 1). Consequently, the compound SkQl (2,3-dimethyl-l,4-benzoquinone-5-decyl- triphenylphosphonium) is a fat-soluble substance capable of penetrating across biological membranes in cationic form.

Experimental example 3: "Antioxidant properties of compounds corresponding to structure (I)".

It was shown that the test compound corresponding to structure (I) - mitochondrial antioxidant SkQl — is a strongest antioxidant which excels in activity the antioxidants reported earlier in publications and claimed in US 6,331,532 as "mitochondrially targeted" (compound MitoQ).

The stability over time of the reduced (quinolic) forms of SkQl and MitoQ under aerobic conditions was examined by analyzing the absolute absorption spectra of these compounds in a range from 240 to 310 nm, using a double-beam Pye Unicam SPI lOO spectrophotometer (England). Quinone derivatives were reduced with sodium tetrahydroborate in the measuring medium containing 20 mM MOPS-KOH, pH=7.6. The control cuvette did not contain SkQl or MitoQ, the reducing agent was added to both cuvettes, measurements were carried out just after hydrogen ceased to evolve. The degree of , the reduction of the quinones was estimated from the size of the peak area by weighing it against the absolute absorption value at 267 nm (maximum absorption). As can be seen from the data presented Fig. 2, the reduced (quinolic) form of SkQl is more resistant to oxidation by air than MitoQ.

In order to compare the antioxidant activity of the reduced forms, we measured the oxidation rate of quinols by superoxide-anion radicals generated in a xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine system. The obtained data presented in Fig. 3a indicate that the oxidation rate of SkQl is approximately twice that of MitoQ. This suggests that SkOl is more active as an antioxidant and its reduced (active) form is more resistant to spontaneous oxidation by air oxygen than MitoQ is and has a greater affinity for the superoxide radical. Fig. 3b illustrates the oxidation rate of reduced quinolic forms by superoxide radical, less the oxidation contributed by air oxygen. It is easy to see that SkQl interacts with the superoxide radical better than MitoQ does.

The above experiments convincingly demonstrate that SkQl possesses much stronger antioxidant properties than its analogs. In solution, SkQl is capable of reacting effectively with ROS and neutralizing them. An essential advantage of this antioxidant is its low reactivity to conventional oxygen and, consequently, its low prooxidant properties. Experimental example 4: "Investigation of the interaction of compounds corresponding to structure (I) with mitochondria".

The key advantage of the mitochondrially targeted antioxidants proposed within the framework of this invention is their ability to be reduced by the respiratory chain of mitochondria. This property is the fundamental distinction of these compounds from conventional antioxidants: the possibility of safe neutralization of radical forms of the inventive compounds and, hence, the possibility of safe neutralization of the radical form of the inventive compounds and repeated use thereof for the neutralization of FR and ROS.

In order to examine whether the test compounds (SkQl and its analog MitoQ) can be reduced by the respiratory chain of mitochondria, the rate of changes in the ratio between the oxidized and reduced forms of the test compounds were measured in the presence of respiratory substrates in a medium used for isolation of rat liver mitochondria. The measurements were carried out in the presence of mitochondria (protein concentration 0.2 mg/ml).

The obtained data (Figs. 4, 5) indicate that both test compounds are readily reduced by energized mitochondria at the same rates and subsequently are oxidized at rates that are much higher than the rate of spontaneous oxidation (by air oxygen).

This experimental Example suggests that SkQl does not suppress the mitochondrial respiration at concentrations up to 10 μM, but stimulates "conjugated" respiration of mitochondria, i.e., normal functioning thereof It was also shown that SkQl is stable under incubation conditions in biological media for the time periods corresponding to the duration of the experiments (tens of minutes). This Example supports the aspect that SkQl in experiments in vitro with inducing the oxidation of quinol reduced by mitochondria through the agency of generated ROS (superoxide radical in the xanthan oxidase reaction) has demonstrated an obvious advantage over MitoQ as regards affinity for ROS and stability over time..

Experimental example 5: "Comparison of the toxicity of different mitochondrial antioxidants for cells in culture".

In this experimental Example the toxicity level of the mitochondrial antioxidant MitoQ disclosed in the prior art is compared with that of the compound SkQl proposed within the framework of the present invention.

In the course of the experiment, SkQl and MitoQ were added in equal concentrations to a cell culture, and the percentage of living cells was calculated after 2 hrs of incubation. The obtained results shown in Fig. 6 unambiguously demonstrate that SkQl has a substantially lower toxicity. Thus, LD₅₀ (the concentration at which 50% cells die) for SkQ is 20 μM, while for MitoQ LD₅₀ is more than 3 times smaller about 7 μM. These results are also confirmed by another experiment where the toxic effects of SkQ and MitoQ on cells in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (at concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 μM) were studied. Like in the previous case, MitoQ proved to be a more toxic compound. LD₅₀ of MitoQ against the background of 100 μM hydrogen peroxide was 4 μM, whereas that of SkQ was 20 μM, i.e., did not differ from the LD₅₀ of the pure preparation. Consequently, against the background of strong oxidative stress the toxicity of SkQ is more than 5 times less than the toxicity of MitoQ.

Therefore it can be asserted that the mitochondrial antioxidants corresponding to structure (I), provided by the present invention, have an essentially lower toxicity than the substances disclosed in the state of the art and claimed therein as mitochondrial antioxidants. This difference can be easily explained with taking into account the results obtained in experimental Example 3 where the higher antioxidant and less pronounced prooxidant properties of SkQl as compared to MitoQ were demonstrated. Experimental example 6: "Protective effect of the compounds corresponding to structure (I) on human cells of different types".

In this Example we have established that the compound corresponding to structure (I) with the antioxidant function (mitochondrially targeted antioxidant) protects cells in culture from an oxidative stress caused by H₂O₂.

Normal diploid fibroblasts from human skin and lung, human uterus carcinoma cells (HeLa cells) and human lymphoma cells (U 937 strain) were used in the experiments. Cells were cultivated in standard media (DMEM or RPMI) in the presence of a 10% fetal serum at 37⁰C in the atmosphere of 5% CO₂. The experiments were carried out on cultures grown to 30-50% confluence. H₂O₂ was added once and the cells were analyzed 18-24 hrs after the adding.. Apoptotic death was monitored by condensation of chromatin and nucleus fragmentation after staining the cells with Hoechst 33342 (1 μg/ml, 15 min). 300-500 cells were taken into account from each preparation and the data were averaged over 3-5 independent experiments. Necrotic death was determined by staining the nuclei with propidium iodide (2 μg/ml, 5 min).

In preliminary experiments the concentrations of H₂O₂ causing considerable apoptosis (60-80%) with no detectable necrosis in different cell types were determined as 50- 200 μM. It was confirmed that apoptosis in all cases was accompanied by a decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytoplasm and activation of caspases.

In experiments with the antioxidant SkQl we determined the optimal conditions for protective antiapoptotic effect. It was shown that the incubation of cells with 20 nM SkQl during 6 days appreciably increases the resistance of cells to H₂O₂ . There was no necessity for the presence of an antioxidant in the medium for incubation with H₂O₂, and this presence itself did not enhance the protective effect. In particular, in experiments with human lung fibroblasts 100 μM H₂O₂ caused 60+/-5% apoptosis of the cell population, while after preincubation with 20 nM SkQl the respective figure was 1+1-3%. An almost complete protection was observed also at concentration of H₂O₂ of 200 μM (80+/-5% apoptosis in control and 12+/-5% apoptosis after preincubation with 20 nM SkQl). The protective effect of the SkQl was retained when the concentration Of H₂O₂ had been increased up to 500 μM, but, on the other hand, there was a total death of cells by necrosis under such conditions. Similar results were obtained with other types of cells.

Thus, antioxidants of the SkQl type in extremely low concentrations effectively protect cells of different types from apoptosis caused by oxidative stress. Therefore such compounds and compositions based thereon must be effective for the prevention of programmed cell death in different tissues, organs, in the whole organism. This discovered property of the SkQ may be used for treating and preventing diseases in which reducing of oxidative stress and/or blocking of the programmed cell death is an effective therapeutic method.

Experimental example 7: "Prevention of apoptotic signal propagation by the compounds corresponding to structure (I)"

Long-distance transmission of the apoptotic signal between cells is blocked by antioxidants of the SkQl type.

In these experiments HeLa line cells were used. Cells grown on a glass slide were treated with different apoptosis-inducing agents (tumor necrosis factor (TNF), staurosporin, H₂O₂) for 3 hrs. Then the glass slide with cells (inducer) was washed to remove these reagents and placed into a Petri dish to come in contact with the glass slide (recipient) with cells grown in the absence of any apoptosis-inducing agent. After 16 — 18 hrs of subsequent joined growth and staining the cells with Hoechst 33342 as described above, the apoptosis on both glass slides was analyzed. Preliminary experiments showed that when apoptosis on the inducer slide was 80-

90%, 30-50% of the cells on the recipient slide also displayed apoptotic morphology. Control experiments demonstrated that in this model there was no transmission of the initial apoptosis-inducing agent to the recipient cells. Transmission of the apoptotic signal did not require direct contact of the cells and weakened when the volume of the incubation medium increased. Addition of catalase (2500 E/ml) into the medium for joint incubation prevented the apoptosis of the recipient cells and at the same time had no significant influence on the apoptosis of the inductor cells (caused by TNF or staurosporin). Thus, the main mediator of the apoptosis signal was H₂O₂.

Incubation of the inductor cells with 20 nM SkQl for 6 days did not prevent the apoptosis caused by TNF (10-50 ng/ml, with addition of 1 μM emetine) or staurosporin (2 μM). After bringing both glass slides in contact and subsequent joint incubation, the apoptosis caused by TNF on the inducer slide was 95+/-5% in control and 90+/-5% after incubation with the SkQl. The apoptosis on the recipient slide was 37+/-4% in control and 17+/-3% after preincubation of the inducer with the SkQl. It should be taken into account that the apoptosis in the control experiment without TNF was 12+/-3% on both slides because of the toxic effect of emetine. Therefore the protective effect of the SkQl was almost 100%. Preincubation of the recipient cells with the SkQl gave similar results. In that case the apoptosis lowered to l6+/-4%. Similar protective effect was also observed upon induction of apoptosis with staurosporin.

Measurements showed that the joint incubation of the inductor cells (pretreated with TNF) and of the recipient cells resulted in a significant increase OfH₂O₂ concentration in the medium (as compared to control where non-treated cells were incubated) already 2-3 hrs after bringing the slides in contact. The H₂O₂ concentration measured 24 hours later was 140+/-20 nM whereas it was only 40+/- 10 nM if the inductor cells had been preincubated with the SkQl. Preincubation of the recipient cells with the SkQl did not lead to a decrease of the H₂O₂ concentration.

Consequently, antioxidants of the SkQl type in extremely low concentrations block the generation of the apoptotic signal by cells which were treated with apoptosis-inducing agents of different nature. The same antioxidants effectively protect the recipient cells from apoptosis caused by the signal transmitted through the medium from the inductor cells. Transmission of the apoptotic signal may underlie the pathogenesis of diseases

(infarction, stroke, posttraumatic pathologies) in which injured tissue parts are surrounded by a broadening zone of apoptotic cells.

Experimental example 8: "Protective effect of the compounds corresponding to structure (I) against photodynamic damage of cells".

Antioxidants of the SkQl type inhibit the toxic effect of singlet oxygen generated in the photoactivation of photosensitizers and prevent necrotic cell death caused by the photodynamic treatment of mitochondria.

Protection from the damaging effect of singlet oxygen was analyzed in a model lipid membrane containing gramicidin and a phthalocyanine photosensitizer. Measurements of the current of ions through gramicidin channel showed that the activation of the photosensitizer by a short flash of light resulted in a rapid inactivation of the channel. This effect was completely blocked by sodium azide, this being an indication that singlet oxygen was the main factor in the inactivation of gramicidin.

Protection from the photodynamic effect was studied using a culture of HeLa cells. Cells were incubated with the photosensitizer chloromethyl-X-rosamine (0.5 μM, 15 min) which selectively accumulated in mitochondria. The cells were irradiated with green light (in the absorption maximum of the photosensitizer of 580 nM) through the objective of an Axiovert 200M microscope (Zeiss, Germany) for 1-2 min and analyzed 5 hrs later. Necrotic death was detected from staining nuclei with propidium iodide (2 μg/ml, 5 min).

It was found that the SkQl at lμM concentration completely prevents light-dependent inactivation of gramicidin in the model lipid membrane containing the phthalocyanine photosensitizer.

The 100% necrotic cell death was observed after photodynamic treatment of the cells. On the other hand, necrosis after the photodynamic treatment was 25+/-5% if the cells had been preincubated with 20 nM SkQl for 6 days. When 1 μM SkQl was added 1 h before the illumination, the necrotic cell death was 15+/-5%. An increase of the SkQl concentration did not provide additional protection, whereas a decrease to 0.5 μM led to noticeable weakening of the effect.

From the obtained results a conclusion can be drawn that oxidants of the SkQl type in extremely low concentrations prevent the damaging effect of singlet oxygen generated upon illumination of photosensitizers. Such antioxidants effectively protect cells from necrosis caused by the photodynarnic treatment, if the photosensitizer is localized within mitochondria.

Experimental example 9: "Protective effect of compounds corresponding to structure

(I) against aging-related cataract and macular dystrophy".

An increase of the average human life-span in developed countries leads to progressive aging of the world's population and is accompanied by growth of morbidity with age-related diseases, among which, according to recent reports of WHO/OMS, macular dystrophy and cataract will hold the third place after cancer and osteoporosis. Cataract and macular degeneration being the main causes of blindness in elderly people, determination of risk factors for these diseases and development of reliable prophylactic treatments are of great economic importance. The effect of diet on the development of cataract and macular dystrophy has been actively discussed in literature. Epidemiologic studies of age-related eye diseases revealed a significant reduction in the relative risk of age-related macular degeneration developing in patients which receive antioxidants for a long time. However, attempts to slow down the development of cataract and macular dystrophy with the aid of antioxidants by no means always prove to be successful.

Though the number of advertised pharmacological preparations and bioactive nutrients having antioxidant properties grows, objective evaluation of their efficiency, as a rule, is not carried out. And no wonder: correct evaluation of the results of preventive therapy is substantially hindered by late detection and individual features of the pathogenesis of these diseases. In such situations it is conventional to resort to animal models and, as our investigations showed, unique opportunities for evaluating the efficiency of preparations can be offered by the strain of senescence-accelerated OXYS rats, which can serve as a universal model of aging of the organ of vision. The OXYS strain of rats was obtained by the selection and inbreeding of Wistar line rats susceptible to the cataractogenic effect of galactose. The genetically conditioned metabolic defect expressed in a reduced resistance of OXYS rats to oxidative stress leads to such changes in their organism which can be regarded as in the accelerated senescence syndrome. Pathologic alterations in the crystalline lenses of OXYS rats occur at the age of 2 months, and at the age of 6 months cataract is detected in 100% of OXYS rats (as against 5% in Wistar rats) and at the age of 12 months cataract affects both eyes. According to ophthalmoscopic, biomicroscopic and morphological data, cataract in OXYS rats corresponds to human senile cataract and develops against the background of progressing macula dystrophy. First signs of the disease are manifested in 6 weeks of age and to the age of 4-6 months the pathology reaches pronounced stages. By the manifestation of features, the pattern of eye-ground lesions in OXYS rats corresponds to the retina alterations observed in human patients with macular dystrophy such as central involutive chorioretinal degeneration.

The goal of the present part of the invention was to investigate the effect of the SkQ preparation on the development of cataract and macular dystrophy in OXYS rats.

The study was carried out using a total of 120 male OXYS and Wistar rats. The animals were kept in groups of 5 individuals under natural illumination conditions, provided with a standard granulated diet and water ad libitum. At the age of 1.5 months, after preliminary pupil dilation with 1% tropicamide ophthalmic, the rats were subjected to ophthalmoscopic examination using a "Betta" direct ophthalmoscope (Germany). During a period from 1.5 to 3 months, which is critical for the development of pronounced alterations in the organ of vision of OXYS rats, the animals were given either SkQl (50 nmol per kg of body weight), or KBr (50 nmol per kg of body weight) or vitamin E — alpha-tocopherol acetate ("Uralbiofarm"), 20 mg per kg). The latter is traditionally used by us as the reference standard. The animals received the compounds on a small piece of dried bread before regular meal, and the intact groups received only a similar piece of dry bread. On completion of the course with the antioxidants, the animals were re-examined. To preclude subjectivity in the evaluation of the results of receiving the preparations, all identifying inscriptions were preliminarily removed from the cages in which the animals were kept.

The condition of the crystalline lenses was evaluated in accordance with the scoring system adopted in clinical practice in points ranging from 0 to 3 : 0 - the lens is clear; 1 — spotted weak cloudiness; 2 - multiple spots of cloudiness, and 3 — intense cloudiness of the cortex or nucleus of lens. The presence and degree of spotted changes in the macular area were evaluated according to the generally adopted classification: 0 - no changes; 1 - the 1^st stage of pathology, when small yellow deposits, known as "drusen" appear in the posterior pole of the lens; 2 - the 2^nd stage, development of a prominent yellow spot with clear-cut edges with the size of 0.5 to 1 of the disk diameter (exudative exfoliation of pigmented retinal epithelium); and 3 - the 3^rd stage with extensive hemorrhage into the macular area.

Results

Ophthalmoscopic examination did not reveal any changes in the crystalline lenses or in the crystalline lenses and macular area of the retina in 1.5 and 3 month-old Wistar rats. In OXYS rats, on the contrary, early cataract (scored 1) was observed in 20% of cases and macular degeneration of the 1^st stage - in 10% of cases at the age of 1.5-months.

At the age of 3 months in the control intact group of OXYS rats pathological changes of the crystalline lenses were observed in 90% of examined eyes, including 35% of eyes with the 2^nd stage of cataract. Macular dystrophy was observed in 85% of eyes from the control group of animals, of which 16% corresponded to the 2^nd stage of this pathology (Fig. 8).

In the group of the OXYS rats which received KlBr, crystalline lens changes were observed in 93% of the eyes, with 57% of the total number of the eyes having the 2^nd stage of cataract development. Changes in the macular area of the retina were observed in 87% of the eyes of the animals from this group and 13% of these changes corresponded to the 2ⁿ stage of the disease.

In the animals which received SkQl some crystalline lens changes were registered in 46% of cases, and all of them corresponded to the 1^st stage of cataract. Changes in the macular area of the retina in the OXYS rats of this group were revealed in 38% of cases and also corresponded to the 1^st stage of macular degeneration.

In the rats which received vitamin E, at the age of 3 months crystalline lens changes were registered in 58% of cases, with 12% of the changes corresponding to the 2ⁿ stage of cataract. Changes in the macular area of the retina were revealed in 54% of the OXYS rats from this group, including 8% corresponding to the 2^nd stage of macular degeneration. The results of these experiments are shown graphically in Figs .7 — 12.

Thus, this experimental example convincingly demonstrates the efficiency of SkQl application in preventing age-related eye diseases, and, hence, the efficiency of mitochondrial antioxidants corresponding to structure (I) for combating diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Experimental example 10: "Protective action of mitochondrial antioxidant SkQl on the cardiac muscle".

It is known that reactive oxygen species (ROS) have regulatory or toxic effects on the cardiac muscle, depending on their concentration. When testing the SkQl preparation, its ability to modulate ROS action was found. Experiments were carried out on isolated hearts of rats which were administered the SkQl preparation intravenously or with food (50 μg/kg). The heart was isolated 2 hours after intravenous administration of the preparation, or 2 weeks after the administration with food. Retrograde perfusion of the heart was by following a conventional procedure with Krebs solution at a constant rate.

The registered perfusion pressure (PP) characterized the tonus of the coronary vessels. Spontaneous heart rate and isovolumic pressure in the left ventricle were also measured. Changes in these parameters were registered upon a 40-minute administration of 150 μM H₂O₂, a standard ROS generator.

In the series of experiments with a single intravenous SkQl administration, a two-fold increase in the perfusion rate was followed in both groups by an approximately equal perfusion pressure rise (120 — 125 mm Hg). Introducing H₂O₂ produced usual two- phase effect: an initial PP decline was followed by its increase. In the control group the minimum PP level was 95+5 mm Hg, while in the group of the animals receiving SkQl it was 77+2 mm Hg (p<0.02). Maximum PP decline as compared with the initial level before introducing H₂O₂ was, on an average, -28+3 mm Hg and -43+5 mm Hg, respectively (p <0.05). In the series of experiments with prolonged SkQl intake, the maximum PP decline in the control group was on an average -21+5 mm Hg₃ while in the group of the animals receiving SkQl it was -38+5 mm Hg (p <0.03). The significant difference between the groups remained also at the end Of H₂O₂ introducing: -5+6 mm Hg and -29+6 mm Hg, respectively (p<0.03). Thus, both single and prolonged SkQl administration potentiated the initial vasodilatatory effect of H₂O₂. Besides, upon prolonged administration of SkQl the toxic effect OfH₂O₂ on coronary vessels decreased.

Thus, it is possible to conclude, that the SkQl preparation potentiates the regulatory and reduces the toxic effect of ROS on the coronary vessels of isolated heart. This effect of SkQl can be used for combating cardiovascular diseases. Experimental example 11: "Effect of compounds corresponding to structure (I) on the morphology and mobility of normal and tumor cells".

Antioxidants of the SkQl type cause morphological changes of cells in culture, which are accompanied by a decrease of their mobility and an enhancement of adhesion of cells to the substrate.

Normal fibroblasts of the human skin and lung and HeLa cells were cultivated at a low cell density (20-30% confluence). Morphometry of the cells was carried out by measuring their area, dispersion and elongation. Cytoskeleton structures were studied by staining fixed cell preparations with falloidin-rhodamine (actin filaments), antibodies against tubulin (microtubules) and vinculin (contacts with substrate). Mobility of the cells was studied using a micro video camera. Fibroblasts pre-incubated with 20 nM SkQl for 6 days had a sharply changed morphology. An average area of cells was 2.9 times higher, dispersion index lowered by a factor of 2.4, and the elongation index decreased from 2.34 to 0.69. The content of actin filaments increased 3.7-fold, so that their density per unit area amounted to 136% of control. The actin filaments were assembled into large bundles - stress fibrils. The number of contacts with the substrate greatly increased. The mobility of the fibroblasts dropped sharply. All the observed changes did not decrease the rate of fibroblast proliferation. Similar measurements carried out on HeLa cells showed that their average area increases 2.6-fold (with no changes in the dispersion and elongation parameters), the content of actin filaments growing so that the mean density remains unchanged.

So, the morphological changes of cells and the decrease of their mobility in response to the treatment with antioxidants of the SkQl type point to a reduction in the ability of cells to proliferation and metastasis.

Experimental example 12: "Cytotoxic effect of the compounds corresponding to structure (I) on tumor cells".

Compounds corresponding to structure (I) and having prooxidant and protein- modifying functions can induce opening of the nύn-selective pore in mitochondria, swelling of mitochondria, release of cytochrome c from the intermembrane space into cytoplasm, and apoptosis. Mitochondrially-targeted inhibitors of antiapoptotic proteins may promote the apoptosis caused by these compounds and chemotherapeutic drugs known in the art.

It was shown that prooxidants and compounds cross-linking vicinal dithiols (phenylarsene oxide, PAO) induce opening of the non-selective pore and swelling of mitochondria both in a cell-free system and in cells, hi particular, in experiments with thymus lymphocytes, induction of the mitochondrial pore with PAO led to release of Ca ⁺ ions from mitochondria into cytoplasm. By using electron microscopy, mitochondria with a swollen matrix were observed in these cells. PAO possesses a high non-specific toxicity which does not allow using PAO in investigating the mechanism of cytochrome c release and the associated. apoptosis. It was shown in some cell models that the agents inducing the pore opening also promote release of cytochrome c into cytoplasm and apoptosis. It may be presumed that targeted delivery of PAO and similar compounds into mitochondria will decrease their non-specific toxicity and allow the induction of apoptosis in target cells. It was shown earlier that compounds carrying a positive charge (phosphonium and rhodamine derivatives) accumulate and are retained in the mitochondria of fast-growing tumor cells much more effectively than in the mitochondria of normal cells. The above information gives grounds to expect that effective and selective anticancer preparations will be produced on the basis of compounds corresponding to structure (I).

Experimental example 13: "Anticancer effect of compounds corresponding to structure (I) in case of ascitic carcinoma".

For checking whether the compounds of structure (I) can be useful in treating oncological diseases, we tested the effect of SkQl on mice with artificially induced Ehrlich's ascitic carcinoma (a standard model of development of an acute oncological disease).

SkQl was given to NMRI-line mice together with drinking water in various concentrations: 10, 1 or 0.1 μM. The results (survival rate of mice with preliminarily induced Ehrlich's ascitic carcinoma) are shown in Fig. 13. The negative control for this experiment was water, while the positive control was the well-known anticancer drug cisplatin.

The obtained results demonstrate the antitumor effect of the mitochondrially targeted anticancer preparations corresponding to structure (I).

Experimental example 14: "Photodynamic effect of selectively mitochondrially targeted compounds".

Compounds corresponding to structure (I) and performing photosensitizing functions can induce release of cytochrome c from the intermembrane space into cytoplasm and apoptosis.

It was shown that prototypes of photosensitizers carrying a positive charge (rhodarnines, chloromethyl-X-rosamine) accumulate in mitochondria and induce apoptosis in tumor cells of different type, subjected to moderate illumination. Similar non- mitochondrially targeted molecules cause mainly necrotic cell death under illumination (which may give potential inflammatory complications in photodynamic therapy). The prototype photosensitizers studied to date are not used in practice because of their low quantum yield and maximum absorption in the green region of the spectrum. Photosensitizers based on protoporphyrin and phthalocyanine derivatives, used in clinical practice, have a high quantum yield, maximum absorption in the red region of the spectrum (this improving the efficiency of treating in-depth tissues), but they accumulate mainly in lysosomes and induce necrosis. Mitochondrial targeting of such molecules in the formulation of compounds corresponding to structure (I) would allow inducing apoptosis of tumor cells by low-intensity illumination and in the red region of the spectrum. It was shown that compounds carrying a positive charge (rhodamine and phosphonium derivatives) accumulate and are retained in the mitochondria of fast-growing tumors to a much greater extent than in the cells of normal tissues. It may be presumed that photosensitizers based on compounds corresponding to structure (I) will selectively accumulate in tumors and thereby their efficiency when used in photodynamic therapy will be increased.

Experimental example 15: "Protective effect of mitochondrial antioxidant SkQl on fungi cells , exemplified on cells of yeast Yarrowia lipofytica."

We showed that the mitochondrial antioxidant SkQl corresponding to structure (I) partially prevents the death of Yarrowia lipofytica cells caused by 10 mM hydrogen peroxide.

As can be seen from Fig. 14, the effects of cycloheximide D, tocopherol and SkQl are very similar. The effect of cycloheximide was demonstrated by us earlier and is explained by the necessity of normal functioning of the protein synthesis in cells for the apoptosis to proceed. The concentration of α-tocopherol was taken equal to 25 μM because this particular concentration provided maximum protective effect for Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells against pheromone- and amiodarone-induced programmed cell death (Pozniakovsky A.I., Knorre D.A., Markova O.V., Hyman A.A., Skulachev V.P., Severin F.F., 2005, J. Cell. Biol. 168(2):257-69). This concentration proved to be as effective as the 10-fold lower concentration of SkQl. These results indicate that the mitochondrially targeted antioxidants are useful for fungi cells and that compounds of the SkQl type can be used for the protection of industrial cultures producing yeasts, other fungi and microorganisms. Experimental example 16: "Effect of mitochondrial antioxidant SkQl on development of higher plants".

Plants cuttings were grown on artificial agarized MS medium with adding 1 μM SkQl (3 plants) and without adding SkQl as control (3 plants). The plant cuttings were placed into 50 ml transparent tubes and grown in a climate chamber for 3 weeks at 27⁰C and periodic illumination (14 hrs of light, 10 hrs of darkness). Then the plants were subjected to darkness stress, i.e., were grown in complete darkness for 7 days.

As a result, the control plants became colorless, while the plants grown in the presence of SkQl retained their green color. Then the plants were returned back to the normal lighting conditions and were grown for another 20 days. After such treatment the plants grown in the presence of SkQl became more than 3 times larger than the control plants.

This experimental example demonstrates the positive effect of mitochondrially targeted antioxidants on plants as a whole. Consequently, such compounds can be used for growing plants on artificial media (the necessary stage in producing genetically modified plants), for increasing the viability of plant cell cultures, and for increasing the viability of crops in agriculture.

The persons skilled in the art will appreciate that obvious additions or changes can be made on the basis of the above examples and the specification, which will allow the obtaining of all the claimed compounds and compositions useful for the purposes of the present invention. All such obvious additions and corrections are within the scope of the set of claims of the present invention set forth below.

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of structural formula (I) for targeted delivery of a biologically active substance into cellular mitochondria:

α) wherein A is an effector group comprising: a) an antioxidant (II)

and/or a reduced form thereof wherein m is an integer from 1 to 3; each Y represent the same or different substituents comprising a lower alkyl or a lower alkoxy; or two adjacent Y are interconnected to form the structure:

and/or a reduced form thereof wherein Rl and R2 are the same or different and independently represent a lower alkyl or a lower alkoxy; b) a pro-oxidant; c) an apoptosis inductor or inhibitor of anti-apoptosis proteins of mitochondrial localization; d) a photosensitizer.

B is a targeting group, comprising a) a Skulachev ion Sk:

2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antioxidant is 2,3-dimethyl- 1,4-benzoquinol (plastoquinone) or a reduced form thereof (plastoquinol).

3. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apoptosis inductor is phenylarsene oxide.

4. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inhibitor of anti-apoptosis proteins of mitochondrial localization is ABT737.

5. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prooxidant is paraquat, menadione or organic hydroperoxides.

6. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photosensitizer is phthalocyanine optionally containing a metal substituent and complexes thereof; porphyrin and its derivatives, particularly BDP -Mac or BDP-Mao; or foscan (mTHPC).

7. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said Sk, a lipophilic cation, is triphenylphosphonium, triphenylammonium, tributylammonium.

8. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said Sk is rhodamine G.

9. Use of the composition claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 for reducing the amount of free radicals and reactive oxygen species in a cell.

10. The use according to claim 9, when said cell is in a human organism or in an organism of other mammal; is a cell of a plant at any stage of development thereof, including a genetically modified plant; is a cell in a culture or plant cells or protoplasts; is a fungal cell and/or is a cell in a culture of fungal cells; including the use for increasing the viability and/or productivity of cells that are producers of preparations, pharmacologically applicable proteins, peptides, antibodies.

11. The use according to claim 9 when said cell is a normal cell, or a cancer cell, or a stem cell of a mammal, including a human, is in a culture of cells, including a culture of normal, cancer, stem cells; including the use for increasing the viability and/or productivity of cells that are producers of preparations, pharmacologically applicable proteins, peptides, antibodies.

12. The use according to any one of claims 9 to 11 for treating a human or animal patient which will benefit from a reduction of the concentration of free radicals and reactive oxygen species in the organism.

13. The use according to any one of claims 9 to 11 for protecting healthy cells from damage during chemotherapy, radiotherapy or photodynamic therapy of cancer; during disinfection of blood or other substance containing healthy cell elements with the aid of free radicals, reactive oxygen species or substances generating thereof.

14. The use according to any one of claims 9 to 11 for cosmetic procedures, for healing of surgical sutures; for preventing lesion of healthy tissues during surgical operations, for healing or preventing burn injuries of tissues; against inflammations, for preserving transplantation materials; for combating the rejection of transplanted tissues and organs.

15. The use of the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for combating oncological diseases, for suppressing and preventing metastasis and angiogenesis, for eliminating cancer cells; for use in the chemotherapy or photodynamic therapy of cancer; for use in combination with other chemotherapeutic and photodynamic therapy preparations, in combination with cancer radiotherapy.

16. The use according to claim 15 for the induction or stimulating the induction of apoptosis, increasing the sensitivity to apoptosis inductors in the cells of cancer or of a cancer or other tumor, as well as in other cells, wherever required.

17. Use of any of the compositions claimed in claims 1 to 8 for prolonging the life span of an organism; for preventing aging; including use in combination with hormone therapy, particularly in combination with epiphyseal hormones, thyroid gland hormones, including use in combination with dihydroepiandrosterone, melatonin.

18. A compound of general formula (I)

wherein A is an effector group comprising: a) an antioxidant

and/or a reduced form thereof wherein m is an integer from 1 to 3; each Y represents the same or different substituents comprising a lower alkyl or a lower alkoxy; or two adjacent Y are interconnected to form the structure:

B is a) a Skulachev ion Sk: Sk⁺ Z- where Sk is a lipophilic cation;

Z is a pharmacologically acceptable anion; b) a charged hydrophobic peptide containing 1-20 amino acids; with the exception of compounds in which A is ubiquinone (i.e.,. 2-methyl-4,5-dimethoxy~

3,6-dioxo-l,4-cyclohexadienyl) or tocopherol or mimetic of superoxide dismutase or ebselen; wherein L is a divalent decyl or divalent pentyl or divalent propyl radical; and B is triphenylphosphonium; as well as solvates, isomers, prodrugs and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier thereof.

19. The compound of claim 18, wherein the apoptosis inductor is phenylarsene oxide; and the inhibitor of anti-apoptosis proteins of mitochondrial localization is ABT737.

20. The compound of claim 18, wherein the photosensitizer is phthalocyanine optionally containing a metal substituent and complexes thereof; porphyrin and its derivatives, particularly BDP -Mac or BDP -Mao; or foscan (mTHPC).

21. The compound of claim 18, wherein said Sk, a lipophilic cation, is rhodamine G, triphenylphosphonium or triphenylammonium.

22. The compound of claim 18, wherein A is a plastoquinone residue of general formula (II)

wherein Y is methyl, m is 3; L, n, B are as defined in claim 1, as well as solvates, isomers, prodrugs thereof and pharmaceutical mixtures.

23. The compound of claim 18, wherein L is divalent decyl radical;

24. The compound of claim 18, wherein L is divalent pentyl radical;

25. The compound of claim 18, wherein Sk is rhodamine G moiety

26. A method for the synthesis of the compound as claimed in claim 18, comprising: the following steps: a) oxidation of hydroquinone (Ll) with a suitable oxidant to obtain benzoquinone (1.2 )

1.1 I.2 b) formation of a derivative (1.3)

1.2 1.3 c) coupling of B-M residue with the compound (1.3) to form the target product IA

^Ra'kt^B wherein Y, L₅ B, RaI, m, n are as defined above; V is Br, Cl, I or OH; M is the leaving group.