Monoamine oxidase inhibition by N-alkyloxycarbonyl derivatives of ethylene diamine

Urethane type derivatives of ethylene diamine (EDA) were synthesized and tested as inhibitors of rat liver mitochondrial monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B. The nature of the aromatic ring and the position of substituents in it were crucial for manifestation of the inhibitory activity. 3,4- and 2,4-Chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl-EDA derivatives were the most potent MAO A inhibitors. The inhibition of both MAO A and to a lesser extent MAO B depended on preincubation time with these inhibitors. The activity of both enzymes did not recover completely after repeated sedimentation and resuspension of inhibitor-treated mitochondria. The data suggest that these compounds exhibit properties of tight-binding reversible inhibitors of MAO A and B. The development of a new generation of MAO inhibitors causing simultaneous reversible nonselective inhibition of MAO A and B must meet one important criterion, the same type of inhibition of both the enzymes.     

Monoamine oxidase inhibition by C4-substituted phthalonitriles

It was recently reported that a series of C5-substituted phthalimides are remarkably potent reversible inhibitors of recombinant human monoamine oxidase (MAO) B. Modeling studies suggested that the phthalimide ring forms numerous polar interactions with the polar region of the MAO-B substrate cavity while the C5 side chain extends to, and interacts via Van der Waals interactions with the hydrophobic regions of the enzyme entrance cavity. Interactions with both cavities appear to be requirements for high affinity binding. In the present study we have examined an analogs series of C4-substituted phthalonitriles as potential human MAO inhibitors. The phthalonitriles were found to be highly potent reversible MAO-B inhibitors with most analogs exhibiting IC(50) values in the low nM range. The phthalonitriles also interacted with human MAO-A, although with lower binding affinities compared to MAO-B. Modeling studies suggest that the high binding affinities of the phthalonitriles to MAO-B may depend, at least in part, on the formation of polar interactions between the nitrile functional groups and the enzyme substrate cavity. Examination of a homologs series of benzonitriles established that the phthalonitrile moiety is more optimal for MAO-B inhibition than the corresponding benzonitrile moiety, and that C3-substituted benzonitriles are better MAO-B inhibitors than C4-substituted benzonitriles. Since elimination of the nitrile functional group yielded compounds with only moderate MAO-B inhibition potencies, it may be concluded that this functional group is privileged for MAO-B inhibition.     

In vitro inhibition of human platelet monoamine oxidase by phenothiazine derivatives

Nineteen phenothiazines were tested for in vitro inhibition of human platelet type B monoamine oxidase (MAO). The inhibition potency was highly dependent on structures of their side chains. The inhibition was most potent for drugs with (hydroxyethyl-piperazinyl)propyl chains followed in decreasing order by those with (N-methylpiperazinyl)propyl, (2-dimethylamino-2-methyl)ethyl and 3-dimethylaminopropyl chains. Kinetic analyses were carried out for promazine, promethazine, perazine and perphenazine as representatives of each group; the four drugs showed competitive inhibition, and Ki values of 124, 31.4, 19.2 and 22.6 microM, respectively.     

Monoamine oxidase inhibition by monoterpene indole alkaloids and fractions obtained from Psychotria suterella and Psychotria laciniata

Alkaloid fractions of Psychotria suterella (SAE) and Psychotria laciniata (LAE) as well as two monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) isolated from these fractions were evaluated against monoamine oxidases (MAO-A and -B) obtained from rat brain mitochondria. SAE and LAE were analysed by HPLC-PDA and UHPLC/HR-TOF-MS leading to the identification of the compounds 1, 2, 3 and 4, whose identity was confirmed by NMR analyses. Furthermore, SAE and LAE were submitted to the enzymatic assays, showing a strong activity against MAO-A, characterized by IC₅₀ values of 1.37?±?1.05 and 2.02?±?1.08 μg/mL, respectively. Both extracts were also able to inhibit MAO-B, but in higher concentrations. In a next step, SAE and LAE were fractionated by RP-MPLC affording three and four major fractions, respectively. The RP-MPLC fractions were subsequently tested against MAO-A and -B. The RP-MPLC fractions SAE-F3 and LAE-F4 displayed a strong inhibition against MAO-A with IC₅₀ values of 0.57?±?1.12 and 1.05?±?1.15 μg/mL, respectively. The MIAs 1 and 2 also inhibited MAO-A (IC₅₀ of 50.04?±?1.09 and 132.5?±?1.33 μg/mL, respectively) and -B (IC50 of 306.6?±?1.40 and 162.8?±?1.26 μg/mL, respectively), but in higher concentrations when compared with the fractions. This is the first work describing the effects of MIAs found in neotropical species of Psychotria on MAO activity. The results suggest that species belonging to this genus could consist of an interesting source in the search for new MAO inhibitors.     

Monoamine oxidase inhibitory properties of optical isomers and N-substituted derivatives of 4-methylthioamphetamine

(+/-)-4-Methylthioamphetamine (MTA) was resolved into its enantiomers, and a series of N-alkyl derivatives of the parent compound, as well as its alpha-ethyl analogue, were prepared. The monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory properties of these substances were evaluated in vitro, using a crude rat brain mitochondrial suspension as the source of enzyme. All compounds produced a selective, reversible and concentration-related inhibition of MAO-A. (+)-MTA proved to be the most potent inhibitor studied, while all the other derivatives were less active than the parent compound, with (-)-MTA being about 18 times less potent than the (+) isomer. The analysis of structure-activity relationships indicates that the introduction of alkyl substituents on the amino group of MTA leads to a reduction in the potency of the derivatives as MAO-A inhibitors, an effect which increases with the size of the substituent.     

Monoamine oxidase and mitochondrial respiration

Mitochondrial defects encompassing complexes I-IV of the electron transport chain characterize a relatively large number of neurodegenerative diseases. The relationships between mitochondrial lesions and recently described genetic alterations have not yet been defined. We describe a general mechanism whereby the enzymatic metabolism of neurotransmitters by monoamine oxidase (MAO) damages mitochondria, altering their protein thiol status and suppressing respiration. In these experiments, incubation of rat brain mitochondria with tyramine (a mixed MAO-A/MAO-B substrate) for 15 min at 27 degrees C suppressed state 3 respiration by 32.8% and state 5 respiration by 40.1%. These changes were accompanied by a 10-fold rise in protein-glutathione mixed disulfides. Direct comparison of effects on respiration and MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] dye reduction during electron flow gave similar results. It is suggested that certain mitochondrial lesions may derive from the natural turnover of monoamine neurotransmitters in susceptible individuals.     

Monoamine oxidase in adult Ascaridia galli

Monoamine oxidase (MAO), catalysing oxidative deamination of biogenic monoamines, has been detected in adult Ascaridia galli. MAO was present in mitochondria and deaminated noradrenaline at the maximal rate, although serotonin, adrenaline, tyramine and dopamine were also degraded but more slowly. Of the organs studied, the body wall, female reproductive organ and intestine, the body wall (containing neuronal structures) showed highest MAO activity. Km value for chick ascarid mitochondrial MAO using tyramine as substrate was 1.66 X 10(-3) M and it was most active at 2.5 mM tyramine concentration, pH 7.5 and 40 degrees C. MAO of A. galli appeared to be thermolabile as nearly 80% of its activity was lost when the incubation temperature was increased 5 degrees above optimum.     

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors from Gentiana lutea

Three monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors were isolated from Gentiana lutea. Their structures were elucidated to be 3-3'linked-(2'-hydroxy-4-O-isoprenylchalcone)-(2'-hydroxy-4'-O-isoprenyldihydrochalcone) (1), 2-methoxy-3-(1,1'-dimethylallyl)-6a,10a-dihydrobenzo(1,2-c)chroman-6-one and 5-hydroxyflavanone. These compounds, and the hydrolysis product of 1, displayed competitive inhibitory properties against MAO-B which was more effective than MAO-A.