Ipek Baysal

Development of fluorinated methoxylated chalcones as selective monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors: Synthesis, biochemistry and molecular docking studies

A series of methoxylated chalcones with fluoro and trifluoromethyl derivatives were synthesized and investigated for their ability to inhibit human monoamine oxidase A and B. The chemical structures of the compounds have been characterized by means of their (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, Mass spectroscopic datas and elemental analysis. The results demonstrate that these compounds are reversible and selective MAO-B inhibitors with a competitive mode of inhibition. The most potent compound (2E)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] prop-2-en-1-one showed the best activity and higher selectivity towards hMAO-B with Ki and SI values of 0.22±0.01μM and 0.05 comparable to that standard drug, Selegiline Ki and SI values were found as 0.33±0.03μM and 0.04, respectively. Molecular docking studies were carried out to further explain the in vitro results of the new compounds, and to identify the hypothetical binding mode for the compounds inside the inhibitor binding cavity of hMAO-B.

Exploration of chlorinated thienyl chalcones: A new class of monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors

Chalcone has been reported to be a valid scaffold for the design of monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. This scenario has amplified the momentum for the discovery of heteroaryl based chalcone MAO inhibitors. In the present study, we have synthesized a series of eleven chlorinated thienyl chalcone derivatives substituted with a different functional groups at the para- position on the ring B and investigated for their ability to inhibit human MAO-A and -B. With the exception of compound (2E)-1-(4-chlorocyclopenta-1,3-dien-1-yl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (TC7), which was a selective MAO-A inhibitor, all the other derivatives inhibited hMAO-B potently and selectively with competitive mode of inhibition. The most potent compound (2E)-1-(4-chlorocyclopenta-1,3-dien-1-yl)-3-(4-ethylphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (TC6) was found to be the best activity and higher selectivity towards hMAO-B with Ki and SI values of 0.31±0.02μM and 16.84, respectively. All the compounds presented in the current study are completely non-toxic with 74-88% viable cells to hepatic cells at 100μM concentration. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies were carried out using Autodock-4.2 and Amber 14 to understand the molecular level interaction and energy relation of MAO isoforms with selective MAO-B inhibitor TC6.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity of Novel Pyrazoline Analogues: Curcumin Based Design and Synthesis

A series of new 2-methoxy-4-(5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)phenolderivatives, 4-13, were synthesized and tested for their human MAO inhibitory activity. All the compounds were found to be selective and reversible toward hMAO-A except 4, a selective inhibitor of hMAO-B and 12, a nonselective inhibitor. Compound 7 was found to be a potent inhibitor of hMAO-A with Ki = 0.06 ± 0.003 μM and was having selectivity index of (SI = 1.02 × 10(-5)). It was found to be better than standard drug, Moclobemide (hMAO-A with Ki = 0.11 ± 0.01 μM) with selectivity index of SI = 0.049. Molecular docking simulation was carried out to understand the crucial interactions responsible for selectivity and potency.

Synthesis, Biochemistry, and Computational Studies of Brominated Thienyl Chalcones: A New Class of Reversible MAO-B Inhibitors.

A series of (2E)‐1‐(5‐bromothiophen‐2‐yl)‐3‐(para‐substituted phenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐ones (TB1–TB11) was synthesized and tested for inhibitory activity toward human monoamine oxidase (hMAO). All compounds were found to be competitive, selective, and reversible toward hMAO‐B except (2E)‐1‐(5‐bromothiophen‐2‐yl)‐3‐(4‐nitrophenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (TB7) and (2E)‐1‐(5‐bromothiophen‐2‐yl)‐3‐(4‐chlorophenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (TB8), which were selective inhibitors of hMAO‐A. The most potent compound, (2E)‐1‐(5‐bromothiophen‐2‐yl)‐3‐[4‐(dimethylamino)phenyl]prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (TB5), showed the best inhibitory activity and higher selectivity toward hMAO‐B, with Ki and SI values of 0.11±0.01 μm and 13.18, respectively. PAMPA assays for all compounds were carried out in order to evaluate the capacity of the compounds to cross the blood–brain barrier. Moreover, the most potent MAO‐B inhibitor, TB5, was found to be nontoxic at 5 and 25 μm, with 95.75 and 84.59 % viability among cells, respectively. Molecular docking simulations were carried out to understand the crucial interactions responsible for selectivity and potency.

Identification of Indole-Based Chalcones: Discovery of a Potent, Selective, and Reversible Class of MAO-B Inhibitors

A series of 11 indole‐based chalcones (IC1–11) with various electron donating and withdrawing groups at the para position of the phenyl ring B were synthesized. All the compounds were tested for their human monoamine oxidase (hMAO)‐A and hMAO‐B inhibitory potencies. Most of the synthesized candidates proved to be potent and selective inhibitors of MAO‐B rather than MAO‐A, with a reversible and competitive mode. Among them, compound IC9 was found to be a potent inhibitor of hMAO‐B with Ki = 0.01 ± 0.005 μM and a selectivity index of 120. It was found to be better than the standard drug, selegiline (hMAO‐B with Ki = 0.20 ± 0.020 μM) with a selectivity index of 30.55. PAMPA assays were carried out for all the compounds in order to evaluate the capacity of the compounds to cross the blood–brain barrier. Moreover, the most potent MAO‐B inhibitor, IC9, was nontoxic at 5 and 25 μM, with 95.20 and 69.17% viable cells, respectively. The lead compound IC9 has an antioxidant property of 1.18 Trolox equivalents by ABTS assay. Molecular modeling studies were performed against hMAO‐B to observe binding site interactions of the lead compound.

Potent and Selective Monoamine Oxidase‐B Inhibitory Activity: Fluoro‐ vs. Trifluoromethyl‐4‐hydroxylated Chalcone Derivatives

For various neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimers and Parkinson’s diseases, selective and reversible MAO‐B inhibitors have a great therapeutic value. In our previous study, we have shown that a series of methoxylated chalcones with F functional group exhibited high binding affinity toward human monoamine oxidase‐B (hMAO‐B). In continuation of our earlier study and to extend the understanding of the structure–activity relationships, a series of five new chalcones were studied for their inhibition of hMAO. The results demonstrated that these compounds are reversible and selective hMAO‐B inhibitors with a competitive mode of inhibition. The most active compound, (2E)‐1‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐3‐[4‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]prop‐2‐en‐1‐one, exhibited a Ki value of 0.33 ± 0.01 μm toward hMAO‐B with a selectivity index of 26.36. A molecular docking study revealed that the presence of a H‐bond network in hydroxylated chalcone with the N(5) atom of FAD is crucial for MAO‐B selectivity and potency.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity of Ferulic Acid Amides: Curcumin-Based Design and Synthesis

Ferulic acid has structural similarity with curcumin which is being reported for its monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory activity. Based on this similarity, we designed a series of ferulic acid amides 6a–m and tested for their inhibitory activity on human MAO (hMAO) isoforms. All the compounds were found to inhibit the hMAO isoforms either selectively or non‐selectively. Nine compounds (6a, 6b, 6g–m) were found to inhibit hMAO‐B selectively, whereas the other four (6c–f) were found to be non‐selective. There is a gradual shift from hMAO‐B selectivity (6a,b) to non‐selectivity (6c–f) as there is an increase in chain length at the amino terminus. In case of compounds having an aromatic nucleus at the amino terminus, increasing the carbon number between N and the aromatic ring increases the potency as well as selectivity toward hMAO‐B. Compounds 6f, 6j, and 6k were subjected to membrane permeability and metabolic stability studies by in vitro assay methods. They were found to have a better pharmacokinetic profile than curcumin, ferulic acid, and selegiline. In order to understand the structural features responsible for the potency and selectivity of 6k, we carried out a molecular docking simulation study.

Synthesis and Screening of Human Monoamine Oxidase-A Inhibitor Effect of New 2-Pyrazoline and Hydrazone Derivatives.

A group of 3,5‐diaryl‐2‐pyrazoline and hydrazone derivatives was prepared via the reaction of various chalcones with hydrazide compounds in ethanol. Twenty original compounds were synthesized. Ten of these original compounds have a pyrazoline structure, nine of these original compounds have a hydrazone structure, and one of these original compounds has a chalcone structure. Structural elucidation of the compounds was performed by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectral data, and elemental analyses. These compounds were tested for their inhibitory activities toward the A and B isoforms of human monoamine oxidase (MAO). Except for 3k and 6c, all compounds were found to be competitive, reversible, and selective inhibitors for either one of the isoforms (hMAO‐A or MAO‐B). Compounds 3k and 6c were found to be competitive, reversible, but non‐selective MAO inhibitors. Compound 6h showed hMAO‐B inhibitory activity whereas the others potently inhibited hMAO‐A. Compound 5c showed higher selectivity than the standard drug moclobemide. According to the experimental Ki values, compounds 6i, 6d, and 6a exhibited the highest inhibitory activity toward hMAO‐A. The AutoDock 4.2 program was employed to perform automated molecular docking. The calculated results obtained computationally were in good agreement with the experimental values.