Acetylenic and allenic derivatives of 2-(1-methylindolyl) methylamine as selective inhibitors of the monoamine oxidases A and B

This paper reports the synthesis of a new series of acetylenic and allenic derivatives of 2-(1-methylindolyl) methylamine as well as the preliminary results of their study as selective inhibitors of the A and B forms of the mitochondrial monoamine oxidase from bovine brain. The compounds were obtained from 2-(1-methylindole)carboxylic acid which, as its acyl halide, reacts with amines to give the respective amides. The latter compounds were reduced with lithium aluminium hydride to the respective amines (II a-c) and then N-alkylated by reaction with 2-propynyl-, 2-butynyl- or 2,3-butadienyl bromides to the corresponding amines (III a-j).     

Novel reversible monoamine oxidase A inhibitors: highly potent and selective 3-(1H-pyrrol-3-yl)-2-oxazolidinones

Monoamine oxidases (MAOs) are involved in various psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders; hence, MAO inhibitors are useful agents in the therapy of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's dementia, and depression syndrome. Herein we report a novel series of 3-(1H-pyrrol-3-yl)-2-oxazolidinones 3-7 as reversible, highly potent and selective anti-MAO-A agents. In particular, 4b, 5b, and 4c showed a K(i-MAO-A) of 0.6, 0.8, and 1 nM, respectively, 4c being 200000-fold selective for MAO-A with respect to MAO-B.     

2-(Alkoxyaryl)-2-imidazoline monoamine oxidase inhibitors with antidepressant activity

Unlike the related noncyclic amidines which are broad-spectrum cestocides, a number of 2-imidazolines substituted in the 2 position by alkoxyaryl groups were not highly active in screening tests against the mouse tapeworms Hymenolepsis nana and Oochoristica symmetrica. Certain of the 2-(4-alkoxynaphthyl)-2-imidazolines and 2-(6-alkoxy-2-naphthyl)-2-imidzolines, however, had activity interpreted as antidepressant in the mouse. This activity paralleled in vitro irreversible inhibitory activity against mouse brain MAO for those where no substitution is present on the imidazoline ring. This irreversibility probably has a different origin from that postulated to explain the irreversible MAO inhibition of proparglic, cyclopropyl, and other "chemically reactive" MAO inhibitors.     

Cell death induced by MPTP, a substrate for monoamine oxidase B

MPTP is known to cause PD symptoms in primates and in rodents. In order to exert its neurotoxicity MPTP must be converted by monoamine oxidase B into MPP(+) which is the true toxic agent. MPP(+) is taken up by the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra in which it induces cell death. The present work reviews and discusses papers in which specific methods were used to determine whether cell death induced by MPTP/MPP(+) should be considered as apoptosis or necrosis. These two cell death modes may be distinguished using morphological and biochemical criteria. The effect of MPTP/MPP(+) was studied in vitro and in vivo. The results show that no univocal answer is possible. The most widespread interpretation is that MPTP/MPP(+) causes apoptosis when its neurotoxic effect is only sligh and necrosis when it is stronger. Similar considerations may be made also concerning the type of cell death occurring in the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of PD patients.     

Behavioral effects and general pharmacology of 4-(5-chloro-benzofuranyl-2)-1-methylpiperidine HC1, an antidepressant inhibiting both monoamine oxidase A and 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake

In psychopharmacological tests in rats and mice, 4-(5-chloro-benzofuranyl-2)-1-methylpiperidine HC1 (CGP 4718 A) was found to exert behavioral effects typical of both monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) uptake inhibitors (reserpine antagonism, L-5-HTP potentiation, antiaggressive activity in isolated mice). The potential antidepressant activity of the drug was indicated in rats by antagonism of reserpine and its effect in the social-conflict test. CGP 4718 A did not impair motor coordination and had no influence on locomotor activity up to high doses in mice and rats. In monkeys, it increased directed individual activities, including sex-related behaviors and diminished locomotor activity and passivity. Electroencephalographic studies in cats revealed a significant decrease in paradoxical sleep after treatment with CGP 4718 A. In isolated organs, no significant antagonism of norepinephrine, 5-HT, acetylcholine or histamine was found. Cardiovascular studies in cats showed only transient effects on blood pressure and no effect on heart rate. In conscious dogs no cardiovascular effects were found. No potentiation of the pressor effect of tyramine in rats was detectable after repeated doses of up to 300 mg/kg p.o. A weak cardiodepressant effect was seen in isolated guinea pig atria. In conclusion, in animal experiments CGP 4718 A combines an interesting spectrum of antidepressant, activating and antiaggressive properties with a lack of cardiovascular and tyramine-potentiating effects.     

1-(4-Methylphenyl)-2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-pentan-1-one (Pyrovalerone) analogues: a promising class of monoamine uptake inhibitors

Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are essential for neurotransmission in the mammalian system. These three neurotransmitters have been the focus of considerable research because the modulation of their production and their interaction at monoamine receptors has profound effects upon a multitude of pharmacological outcomes. Our interest has focused on neurotransmitter reuptake mechanisms in a search for medications for cocaine abuse. Herein we describe the synthesis and biological evaluation of an array of 2-aminopentanophenones. This array has yielded selective inhibitors of the dopamine and norepinephrine transporters with little effect upon serotonin trafficking. A subset of compounds had no significant affinity at 5HT1A, 5HT1B, 5HT1C, D1, D2, or D3 receptors. The lead compound, racemic 1-(4-methylphenyl)-2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-pentan-1-one 4a, was resolved into its enantiomers and the S isomer was found to be the most biologically active enantiomer. Among the most potent of these DAT/NET selective compounds are the 1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)- (4u) and the 1-naphthyl- (4t) 2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-pentan-1-one analogues.     

3-(1H-Pyrrol-1-yl)-2-oxazolidinones as reversible, highly potent, and selective inhibitors of monoamine oxidase type A

3-(1H-Pyrrol-1-yl)-2-oxazolidinones 1aminus signi have been synthesized as pyrrole analogues of toloxatone (Humoryl), an antidepressant agent belonging to the 3-phenyl-2-oxazolidinone class, and their monoamine oxidase (MAO) type A and B inhibitory activities have been evaluated. The majority of 1aminus signi showed inhibitory activity against the A isoform of the enzyme higher than that exerted against the MAO-B, the sole exception being the (S)-5-aminomethylderivative 1d. (R)-5-Methoxymethyl-3-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-2-oxazolidinone 1b, the most potent among test derivatives, was 78-fold more potent than toloxatone.     

On the substrate specificities of the two forms of monoamine oxidase

By use of the selective irreversible inhibitors clorgyline and selegiline [(-)-deprenyl], it is possible to determine the Km and Vmax values of the two forms of monoamine oxidase towards a variety of substrates. The validity of this procedure is demonstrated for the deamination of dopamine by rat liver monoamine oxidase -A and -B, and the specificities of the two forms are analysed in terms of their kinetic parameters towards different substrates.     

Synthesis and cerebral uptake of 1-(1-[(11)C]methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-2-phenyl-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethanone, a novel tracer for positron emission tomography studies of monoamine oxidase type A

( R)-(-)- and ( S)-(+)-1-(1-[ (11)C]methyl-1 H-pyrrol-2-yl)-2-phenyl-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethanone 4 and 5 were synthesized, and their properties as tracers for positron emission tomography (PET) studies of monoamine oxidase type A (MAO-A) in the brain of living pigs were tested. Parametric maps of the distribution volume ( V d) 4 in pig brain were qualitatively similar to those obtained with [ (11)C]harmine, with prominent binding in the ventral forebrain and mesencephalon. Its binding was highly vulnerable to MAO blockade, suggesting a binding potential as high as 2 for MAO-A sites. The slow plasma metabolism of 4 and 5 may present advantages over [ (11)C]harmine for routine PET studies of MAO-A.     

(-)-Trans-epsilon-viniferin, a polyphenol present in wines, is an inhibitor of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake and of monoamine oxidase activity

(-)-Trans-epsilon-viniferin (epsilon-viniferin, 5-200 microM), a dimer of resveratrol, concentration-dependently inhibited the uptake of [3H]noradrenaline and [3H]5-HT by synaptosomes from rat brain (being slightly but significantly more selective against [3H]noradrenaline) and the uptake of [3H]5-HT by human platelets. On the other hand, epsilon-viniferin (5-200 microM) concentration-dependently inhibited the enzymatic activity of commercial (human recombinant) monoamine oxidase (MAO) isoform (MAO-A and MAO-B) activity, being slightly but significantly more selective against MAO-B than against MAO-A. Taking into account that the principal groups of drugs used to treat major depression are noradrenaline/5-HT uptake or MAO inhibitors, under the assumption that epsilon-viniferin exhibits a similar behaviour in humans in vivo, our results suggest that this natural polyphenol may be of value as a structural template for the design and development of new antidepressant drugs with two important biochemical activities combined in the same chemical structure: noradrenaline/5-HT uptake and MAO inhibitory activity.     

Structure and action of reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors (review)

Translated from Khimiko-farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 25, No. 8, pp. 4–15, August, 1991.     

In vivo, noradrenaline is a substrate for rat brain monoamine oxidase A and B

In vivo clorgyline (5 mg/kg) and (-)-deprenyl (5 mg/kg) selectively inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO) type A and B activities in rat brain hypothalamus and caudate nucleus using 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), noradrenaline (NA), and beta-phenylethylamine (PEA) as substrates. Clorgyline induces a significant increase in NA concentrations of hypothalamus and caudate nucleus; however (-)-deprenyl is without effect. The combination of clorgyline and (-)-deprenyl at the above doses completely inhibits both forms of MAO, resulting in an even greater increase in NA levels in both brain areas than observed with clorgyline. The non-selective inhibitor tranylcypromine (5 mg/kg) produced a similar effect. Rats pretreated with the selective or the non-selective inhibitors but given L-DOPA (50 mg/kg) have a similar pattern of brain NA, but its concentrations are higher in both brain regions. The results indicate that although in vitro NA may be an exclusive substrate for MAO type A, in vivo, when this enzyme form is selectively inhibited, NA at high concentrations can be a substrate for MAO type B.     

Cardiovascular effects of (+)- and (-)-tranylcypromine compared to other monoamine oxidase inhibitors in animal studies (author's transl)

The effect of (+)- and (-)-tranylcypromine (TCP), (-)-deprenyl and pargyline was tested and the interaction of these MAO inhibitors with tyramine and noradrenaline was compared on the circulation of the cat and on the isolated guinea-pig atria. 1. Anesthetised cats: An i.v. injection of 1 mg/kg of (+)- as well as (-)-TCP leads to an increase in the blood pressure and dp/dtmax. This effect is getting weaker on repeated doses. (-)-Deprenyl and pargyline decrease blood pressure and dp/dtmax. After a preadministration of (+)-TCP or pargyline the effect of tyramine on the blood pressure and contractility is prolonged. (-)-TCP prolongs slightly the cardiac effect of tyramine and is less effective than (+)-TCP. (-)-Deprenyl does not influence the effect of tyramine. The noradrenaline effect is not affected by the MAO-inhibitors. 2. Conscious cats: An i.v. injection of (+)- as well as (-)-TCP increases the blood pressure and decreases the heart rate. Desipramine (DMI) blocks this effect. Preadministration of (+)- as well as (-)-TCP and pargyline, but not (-)-deprenyl, potentiates the effect of tyramine on the blood pressure. According to this activity one can arrange these MAO-inhibitors as follows: (+)-TCP greater than (-)-TCP greater than pargyline. 3. Atrial preparations of guinea pigs: (+)- and (-)-TCP have a positive inotropic effect at concentrations from 10(-6) to 10(-5) mol/l, which is blocked by bupranolol and DMI. A pretreatment with reserpine prevents the effect of (-)- and weakens that of (+)-TCP. (+)-TCP, pargyline and (-)-deprenyl potentiate the effect of tyramine, while that of noradrenaline is potentiated by (+)- as well as (-)-TCP and (-)-deprenyl.     

Substrate selectivity of monoamine oxidase A, monoamine oxidase B, diamine oxidase, and semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase in COS-1 expression systems

The substrate selectivity of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), diamine oxidase (DAO), and semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) was investigated in the absence of chemical inhibitors using the COS-1 cells expressed with respective amine oxidase. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), 1-methylhistamine, and histamine were preferentially oxidized by MAO-A, SSAO, and DAO, respectively, at a low substrate concentration. In contrast, benzylamine, tyramine, and beta-phenylethylamine served as substrates for all of MAO-A, MAO-B, and SSAO. Each amine oxidase showed broad substrate selectivity at a high substrate concentration. The cross-inhibition was remarkable in MAO-A and MAO-B, especially in MAO-A, but not in SSAO and DAO. A study of the substrate selectivity of amine oxidases should include consideration of the effects of substrate concentration and specific chemical inhibitors.     

Synthesis of 2-(4-arylthiosemicarbazidocarbonylthio)benzthiazoles and their monoamine oxidase inhibitory and anticonvulsant properties.

Ten 2-(4-arylthiosemicarbazidocarbonylthio)benzthiazoles were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for their monoamine oxidase inhibitory and anticonvulsant activities. All substituted benzthiazoles inhibited activity of monoamine oxidase in rat brain homogenate where the degree of enzyme inhibition was higher with kynuramine as compared to tyramine and 5-hydroxytryptamine as the substrates. All substituted benzthiazoles possessed measurable anticonvulsant activity against pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions.