Coumarins derivatives as dual inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase

A set of 17 coumarin and 2 chromone derivatives with known inhibitory activ ity toward monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B were tested as acetylcholinester ase (ACNE) inhibitors. All compounds inhibited ACNE with values in the micr omolar range (3-100 muM). A kinetic study showed that most compounds acted as noncompetitive ACNE inhibitors. This finding may be of interest in the c ontext of Alzheimer's disease because recent observations suggest that MAO and ACNE inhibition might decrease beta -amyloid deposition.