Artificial Mitochondrial Nanorobots Deliver Energy In Vivo by Oral Administration

N Nan Li M Min Zhou Z Ziyu Wu (Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Central South University Changsha 410013 China) Y Yu Chen Y Yu Duan Z Ziqiang Zhang Z Zhuolin Wu X Xue Xia (Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University) J Jian Shen C Chun Mao M Mimi Wan

Abstract

AbstractDelivering energy in vivo is essential for treating mitochondrial damage‐related diseases. Current methods, including natural mitochondrial transplantation and artificial energy delivery systems, lack non‐destructive, external energy‐free, and clinically viable potential solutions. Here, artificial mitochondrial nanorobots (AMNs) carrying high‐energy phosphate bonds rebuild the in vivo energy supply system to provide energy. Using ischemic heart disease (IHD) as an energy‐deficient disease model and the oral route, which has high patient compliance and facilitates long‐term administration, to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of AMNs. AMNs remain stable in the gastrointestinal tract, cross the intestinal barrier via a barrier‐crossing unit, and target damaged heart tissue and cardiomyocytes using a motion unit chemotactically. Intracellularly, their energy‐generating unit provides high‐energy phosphate bonds for ATP synthesis (duration 12 h), while synergistically reducing inflammation and restoring cell viability. At the same frequency of administration, oral AMNs (50 mg kg−1) match intravenous AMNs (10 mg kg−1) in therapeutic efficacy, offering a convenient approach to improving cardiac function. Transcriptomics confirm that 200 µg AMNs emulate 5 × 10⁶ natural mitochondria, restoring energy metabolism and structural function in damaged hearts at the genetic level. This innovative design opens a new pathway for the construction of artificial energy delivery systems in vivo.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 37, Issue 24
Published June 01, 2025
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (11)

N

Nan Li

M

Min Zhou

Z

Ziyu Wu

Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Central South University Changsha 410013 China

Y

Yu Chen

Y

Yu Duan

Z

Ziqiang Zhang

Z

Zhuolin Wu

X

Xue Xia

Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University

J

Jian Shen

C

Chun Mao

M

Mimi Wan