A Comprehensive Review of Monoamine Oxidase-A Inhibitors in their Syntheses and Potencies

Abstract

Background: Monoamine oxidases (MAOs) play a crucial role during the development of various neurodegenerative disorders. There are two MAO isozymes, MAO-A and MAO-B. MAO-A is a flavoenzyme, which binds to the outer mitochondrial membrane and catalyzes the oxidative transformations of neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

Materials and methods: Focus on synthetic studies has culminated in the preparation of many MAOA inhibitors, and advancements in combinatorial and parallel synthesis have accelerated the developments of synthetic schemes. Here, we provided an overview of the synthetic protocols employed to prepare different classes of MAO-A inhibitors. We classified these inhibitors according to their molecular scaffolds and the synthetic methods used.

Results: Various synthetic and natural derivatives from a different class of MAO-A inhibitors were reported.

Conclusion: The review provides a valuable tool for the development of a new class of various selective MAO-A inhibitors for the treatment of depression and other anxiety disorders.

Keywords: MAO-A; MAO-B; inhibitors; molecular scaffolds; neurodegenerative disorders; neurotransmitters.