MitoTEMPOL is a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant that prevents septal dysfunction by reversing sepsis-induced decreases in mitochondrial function, activation of protein hydrolysis pathways, and reductions in myosin heavy chain content, as well as eliminating cytokine-induced increases in muscle cell superoxide production and decreases in cell size.

MitoTEMPOL 在体外表现出线粒体靶向的抗氧化活性，依赖于其与泛醇反应生成羟胺，并具有优于非靶向哌啶硝氧自由基的膜内反应效率。