A series of N-(2-morpholinoethyl)nicotinamide (1-13) and N-(3-morpholinopropyl)nicotinamide derivatives (14-26) have been designed, synthesized and evaluated in vitro for their monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B inhibitory activity and selectivity. Most of these synthesized compounds proved to be potent, and selective inhibitors of MAO-A rather than of MAO-B. 5-Chloro-6-hydroxy-N-(2-morpholinoethyl)nicotinamide (13) displayed the highest MAO-A inhibitory potency (IC(50)=0.045 microM) and a good selectivity. 2-Bromo-N-(2-morpholinoethyl)nicotinamide (3) was the most potent MAO-B inhibitor with the IC(50) value of 0.32 microM, but it was not selective. Molecular dockings of compound 13 were performed in order to give structural insights regarding the MAO-A selectivity.
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