Homoisoflavonoids: natural scaffolds with potent and selective monoamine oxidase-B inhibition properties

J Med Chem. 2011 Apr 14;54(7):2155-64. doi: 10.1021/jm1013709. Epub 2011 Mar 15.

Abstract

A series of homoisoflavonoids [(E)-3-benzylidenechroman-4-ones 1a-w, 3-benzyl-4H-chromen-4-ones 2a-g, and 3-benzylchroman-4-ones 3a-e] have been synthesized and tested in vitro as inhibitors of human monoamine oxidase isoforms A and B (hMAO-A and hMAO-B). Most of the compounds were found to be potent and selective MAO-B inhibitors. In general, the (E)-3-benzylidenechroman-4-ones 1a-w showed activities in the nano- or micromolar range coupled with high selectivity against hMAO-B. The reduction of the exocyclic double bond results in compounds 3a-e selective against isoform B and active in the micromolar range. In contrast, the endocyclic migration of the double bond (compounds 2a-g) generally produces the loss of the inhibitory activity or a marked reduction in potency. (E)-3-(4-(Dimethylamino)benzylidene)chroman-4-one (1l) and (E)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)chroman-4-one (1h) were the most interesting compounds of the entire series of inhibitors, showing hMAO-B affinity better than the selective inhibitor selegiline. Molecular modeling studies have been carried out to explain the selectivity of the most active homoisoflavonoids 1h and 1l.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Drug Discovery*
  • Flavonoids / chemical synthesis
  • Flavonoids / chemistry*
  • Flavonoids / metabolism
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Models, Molecular
  • Monoamine Oxidase / chemistry
  • Monoamine Oxidase / metabolism*
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Flavonoids
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
  • Monoamine Oxidase