Discovery, biological evaluation, and structure-activity and -selectivity relationships of 6'-substituted (E)-2-(benzofuran-3(2H)-ylidene)-N-methylacetamides, a novel class of potent and selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2013 Mar 28;56(6):2651-64. doi: 10.1021/jm4000769. Epub 2013 Mar 13.

Abstract

The use of selective inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and B (MAO-B) holds a therapeutic relevance in the treatment of depressive disorders and Parkinson's disease (PD), respectively. Here, the discovery of a new class of compounds acting as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO-Is) and bearing a 6'-substituted (E)-2-(benzofuran-3(2H)-ylidene)-N-alkylacetamide skeleton is reported. 6'-Sulfonyloxy derivatives exhibited outstanding affinities to MAO-A (7.0 nM < IC50 < 49 nM, much higher than moclobemide) and a pronounced MAO-A/B selectivity. The corresponding 6'-benzyloxy derivatives showed potent MAO-B inhibition and inverted selectivity profile. The rigid E-geometry of the exocyclic double bond allowed a more efficient binding conformation compared to more flexible and less active 2-(1-benzofuran-3-yl)-N-methylacetamide isomers and 4-N-methylcarboxamidomethylcoumarin analogues. Focused structural modifications and docking simulations enabled the identification of key molecular determinants for high affinity toward both MAO isoforms. These novel MAO-Is may represent promising hits for the development of safer therapeutic agents with a potential against depression, PD, and other age-related neurodegenerative pathologies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzofurans / chemistry*
  • Benzofurans / metabolism
  • Benzofurans / pharmacology*
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Monoamine Oxidase / chemistry
  • Monoamine Oxidase / metabolism*
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
  • Monoamine Oxidase
  • benzofuran