Synthesis and MAO activity of a series of benzimidazolyl and indazolyl prodrugs

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive disorder of the central nervous system that affects approximately 1.5 million Americans. One of the principal pathological features of PD is dopamine deficiency in the substantia nigra of the brain. A key enzyme that has been associated with the neurodegeneration seen in PD is monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B). Several inhibitors of this enzyme have resulted in neuroprotection in the mouse model of PD. One such compound is 7-nitroindazole (1).

This thesis describes the synthesis and MAO activity of several indazolyl and benzimidazolyl prodrugs that are designed to release an enzyme inhibitor in the affected brain area. These studies have provided information regarding the nucleophilic aromatic substitutions of the ambident nucleophiles under consideration. We have also discovered a compound that releases the enzyme inhibitor upon bioactivation by MAO. These results as well as a MPTP mouse study with the aforementioned compound are detailed within.