Development of MAO-A and 5-HT2AR Dual Inhibitors with Improved Antidepressant Activity

J Med Chem. 2022 Oct 13;65(19):13385-13400. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01271. Epub 2022 Sep 29.

Abstract

Designing dual-target inhibitors targeting 5-HT2AR and MAO-A could synergistically promote interstitial 5-HT levels, so as to exhibit a more efficient antidepressant effect. On the premise of maintaining the original pharmacophore binding, arylpiperazine scaffolds and 5-oxygen-substituted oxoisoaporphines were hybridized to afford 15 dual-target inhibitors through suitable linkers. Among all inhibitors, I14 exhibited the best inhibitory activities against 5-HT2AR and MAO-A. In vitro cell proliferation assays showed that most compounds were nontoxic to neuronal cells and normal hepatocytes. I14 also significantly ameliorated the depression-like behavior of zebrafish and mice. Further study revealed that I14 was able to occupy the active cavity of 5-HT2AR and MAO-A with multiple hydrogen bonding forces and π-π stacking interaction. I14 was also able to repair the damage of mice hippocampal neuronal cells and reduce the expression of 5-HT2AR in mice brain tissue. In conclusion, I14 could be a potential antidepressant candidate for further study.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antidepressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Mice
  • Monoamine Oxidase / metabolism
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors* / chemistry
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors* / pharmacology
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors* / therapeutic use
  • Oxygen
  • Serotonin*
  • Zebrafish / metabolism

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
  • Serotonin
  • Monoamine Oxidase
  • Oxygen