Design, synthesis, and evaluation of N-methyl-propargylamine derivates as isoform-selective monoamine oxidases inhibitors for the treatment of nervous system diseases

A novel series of N-methyl-propargylamine derivates were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as isoform-selective monoamine oxidases (MAO) inhibitors for the treatment of nervous system diseases. The in vitro studies showed some of the compounds exhibited considerable MAO-A selective inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ of 14.86-17.16 nM), while some of the others exhibited great MAO-B selective inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ of 4.37-17.00 nM). Further studies revealed that compounds A2 （IC₅₀ against MAO-A: 17.16 ± 1.17 nM） and A5 (IC₅₀ against MAO-B: 17.00 ± 1.10 nM) had significant abilities to protect PC12 cells from H₂O₂-induced apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The parallel artificial membrane permeability assay showed A2 and A5 would be potent to cross the blood-brain barrier. The results indicated that A2 showed potential use in the therapy of MAO-A related diseases, such as depression and anxiety; while A5 exhibited promising ability in the treatment of MAO-B related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.