Fig. 5.

Graphic illustration of selective drug accumulation in drugs that are actively or passively targeted specifically to mitochondria of tumor cells. Nanoparticle encapsulated drug molecules reaches the tumor site selectively through the leaky vasculature in tumor. These nanoparticle conjugated drugs infiltrate the tumor cells by active and passive targeting strategies. The nanocarrier linked drug molecules can bind or enter the cell through endocytosis or receptor- mediated endocytic process. In active targeting strategy the drug molecule enters through: a) Nanoparticle conjugated drug is internalized via receptor mediated endocytic route. b) The released vesicles undergo fusion with existing early endosomes to produce receptor mediated early endosomes. c) The nanoparticle conjugated drug is released from receptor mediated endosomes. d) The drug is released from the nanoparticle. e) Drug enters into the mitochondria by its selective accumulation. f) After the drug is released from the receptor endosomes, the receptors are recycled via endosomes to the plasma membrane. g) The recycled receptor is present in the plasma membrane. In the passive targeting strategy the drug molecule enters through: 1) Nanoparticle conjugated drug is internalized via endocytic route. 2) The released vesicles undergo fusion with existing early endosomes to produce early endosomes. The drug is released from the endosomes and the recycling outer via endosomes. 3) The nanoparticle conjugated drug is released from endosomes. 4) The drug is released from the nanoparticle. 5) The drug enters the mitochondria by its selective accumulation. Drug, and nanoparticles.