A comprehensive review of monoamine oxidase-a inhibitors in their syntheses and potencies

Background: Monoamine oxidases (MAOs) play a crucial role during the development of various neurodegenerative disorders. There are two MAO isozymes, MAO-A and MAO-B. MAO-A is a flavoenzyme, which binds to the outer mitochondrial membrane and catalyzes the oxidative transformations of neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Materials and Methods: Focus on synthetic studies has culminated in the preparation of many MAO-A inhibitors, and advancements in combinatorial and parallel synthesis have accelerated the developments of synthetic schemes. Here, we provided an overview of the synthetic protocols employed to prepare different classes of MAO-A inhibitors. We classified these inhibitors according to their molecular scaffolds and the synthetic methods used. Results: Various synthetic and natural derivatives from a different class of MAO-A inhibitors were reported. Conclusion: The review provides a valuable tool for the development of a new class of various selective MAO-A inhibitors for the treatment of depression and other anxiety disorders.