2. Academic Validation
  3. Patents involving monoamine oxidase (MAO): a comprehensive update (2022-2025) on its inhibitors and applications

Patents involving monoamine oxidase (MAO): a comprehensive update (2022-2025) on its inhibitors and applications

  • Expert Opin Ther Pat. 2026 Apr;36(4):363-387. doi: 10.1080/13543776.2026.2633345.
Moataz A Shaldam 1 2,  Simone Carradori 2,  Marwa Balaha 1 2,  Paolo Guglielmi 3,  Francesca Diomede 4,  Ilaria D'Agostino 5,  Haytham O Tawfik 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt.
  • 2 Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
  • 3 Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
  • 4 Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
  • 5 Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
  • 6 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
PMID: 41699413 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2026.2633345
Abstract

Introduction: Monoamine oxidases (MAOs) A and B are key Enzymes for the oxidative deamination of monoamine neurotransmitters, including dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and tyramine. Selective MAO-B inhibitors are clinically employed as Adjuvant therapies for neurodegenerative disorders, whereas selective MAO-A inhibitors are mainly considered third-line options in the treatment of depression. However, due to their function in regulating synaptic activity and exogenous monoamine metabolism, research in this field is continually expanding.

Areas covered: This review summarizes patents on MAO inhibitors between 2022 and 2025. For the most investigated chemotypes (14 synthetic cores along with compounds from natural sources), biological activities were analyzed. The compounds are divided into two main categories, naturally occurring molecules and newly synthesized derivatives, with a total of 114 compounds discussed. To provide a more comprehensive perspective on the therapeutic potential of these inhibitors, additional treatment alternatives are also outlined.

Expert opinion: Recently patented MAO inhibitors show notable properties, including significant isoform selectivity and therapeutic potential toward Other Diseases, such as fibromyalgia, CDKL5-deficient disorder, neuropathic pain, and Alzheimer's disease.

Keywords

MAO; Monoamine oxidase; drug repurposing; formulations; inhibitors; natural; neurodegenerative disorders; synthetic.

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