MAO stands for monoamine oxidase. It's an enzyme that breaks down certain neurotransmitters in the brain like dopamine, serotonin, and dimethyltryptamine. All of which are crucial to brain function in various ways. There are actually 2 types of MAO in the body, and although similar, have different preferences for the monoamines they break down (deaminate). MAO-A, and MAO-B. Inhibiting this enzyme slows the breakdown of neurotransmitters, allowing their numbers to increase. This can offer many benefits to both cognitive functions, as well as psychological disorders like depression and anxiety. Monoamine Neurotransmitters Include: • Dopamine • Serotonin • Adrenalin • Dimethylthryptamine • Melatonin • Noradrenalin • B-phenylethylamine (PEA) • Benzylamine MAO And Neurological Disease An increase in monoamine oxidase has been shown to have a correlation with age related cognitive disorders [2]. Increased levels of MAO-B for example has been closely associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, some forms of Parkinson’s disease and normal aging [3], while increased MAO-A has been associated closely with depression, anxiety and psychiatric disorders [4]. The reason MAO tends to increase with age is not yet well understood. Why We Need New MAO Inhibitors The use of MAO inhibitors has been thus found to alleviate many of the symptoms of these disorders, and is becoming a more valuable method of prevention and treatment as time goes on [6]. The downside to MAO inhibition is the negative side effects that often come along with their long term use [7]. This has lead us to a point where it is clear that we need new, safer MOA inhibitors. Fortunately, in recent years, there have been several plant-based MAO inhibitors that have so far shown low side effects, despite therapeutic doses of MAO inhibition. MAO Inhibition And Nootropics There is a growing trend of MAO inhibitors (generally plant-based)finding there way into nootropic formulas. The idea is that with a reduction in MAO, neurotransmitters and other monoamines found in the nootropic formulas will have a longer effect. Additionally, over longer periods of time, the MAO intake will improve the overall effect of the nootropic on monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain. A common mechanism for nootropics is to improve the production of various neurotransmitters, therefore, inhibition of the enzymes that destroy them is likely to have a synergistic action on the overall effect. Bioprospecting Plant-Based MAO Inhibitors Bioprospecting is the act of seeking out new medicines and commercial compounds from plant and animal species. Here we highlight a few plants that have been found to have marked MAO inhibiting properties. Botanical MAO Inhibitors: 1. Amur Cork Tree (Phellodendron Amurense) MAO-B Inhibition Very High (IC50 <.07 mg/ml) Amur cork tree is one of the 50 fundamental Chinese herbs. It's commonly used for it's sedative, muscle relaxant, antiarrhythmic, positive inotropic, hypotensive, and antibacterial actions. 2. Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root) MAO-B Inhibition Very High (IC50 <.07 mg/ml) Gan Cao is a type of licorice (same genus), and is used in much the same way. Its traditional uses involves female disorders, digestive disorders, ulcers, and heart arryhtmias. One of the most interesting sue of this plant, is as a "harmonizer" of other medicinal plants. In Chinese traditional medicine this is one of the main herbs used in formulas for its ability to improve the outcomes of other plants. 3. Psorlea Fruit Babchi (Psoralea Corylifolia) MAO-B Inhibition Very High (IC50 <.07 mg/ml) Psorlea fruit is a lesser known Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese medicinal plant species. It was used in the past for conditions like vitiligo and other skin related conditions. Recently it has received a lot of attention for its MAO inhibiting properties, and is suggested to be a norepinephrine, re-uptake inhibitor. 4. Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza Glabra) MAO-B Inhibition Very High (IC50 <0.07 mg/ml) Licorice and Gan Cao are very similar and have virtually the same uses. Licorice was often added to Chinese formulas for its ability to improve the actions of the other herbs in the formula. 5. Bakuchi Seed (Cyamopsis Psoralioides) MAO-B Inhibition Very High (IC50 <0.07 mg/ml) The seed oil of Bakuchi is mainly used for treating skin and muscle damage. It's an old Ayurvedic herb with a long history of use and a long list of traditional uses in the body. Some Honourable Mentions: 1. Black Pepper (Piper Negrum) MAO-B Inhibition High (IC50 <.2 mg/ml) The black pepper extract piperine is a common addition to herbal and pharmaceutical medicines for its ability to dramatically improve intestinal absorption. Interestingly, piperine is also at least one of the components of black pepper shown to inhibit MAO-B. [7]. Why We Should Be Interested in Natural MAO Inhibitors MAO stands for monoamine oxidase. It's an enzyme that breaks down certain neurotransmitters in the brain like dopamine, serotonin, and dimethyltryptamine. All of which are crucial to brain function in various ways. There are actually 2 types of MAO in the body, and although similar, have different preferences for the monoamines they break down (deaminate). MAO-A, and MAO-B. Inhibiting this enzyme slow the breakdown of neurotransmitters, allowing their numbers to increase. This can offer many benefits to both cognitive function, as well as psychological disorders like depression and anxiety. mao-inhibitor-post-cover.jpg Monoamines Neurotransmitters Include: Dopamine Serotonin Adrenalin Dimethylthryptamine Melatonin Noradrenalin B-phenylethylamine (PEA) Benzylamine MAO And Neurological Disease An increase in monoamine oxidase has been shown to have a correlation with age related cognitive disorders [2]. Increased levels of MAO-B for example has been closely associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, some forms of Parkinson’s disease and normal aging [3], while increased MAO-A has been associated closely with depression, anxiety and psychiatric disorders [4]. The reason MAO tends to increase with age is not yet well understood. Why We Need New MAO Inhibitors The use of MAO inhibitors have been thus found to alleviate many of the symptoms of these disorders, and is becoming a more valuable method of prevention and treatment as time goes on [6]. The downside to MAO inhibition is the negative side effects that often come along with their long term use [7]. This has lead us to a point where it is clear that we need new, safer MOA inhibitors. Fortunatly, in recent years ther have been several plant-based MAO inhibitors that have so far shown low side effects, depsite therapeutic doses of MAO inhibition. monoamine-oxidase-inhibitors MAO Inhibition And Nootropics There is a growing trend of MAO inhibitors (generally plant based)finding there way into nootropic formulas. The idea is that with a reduction in MAO, neurotransmitters and other monoamines found in the nootropic formulas will have a longer effect. Additionally, over longer periods of time, the MAO intake will improve the overall effect of the nootropic on monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain. A common mechanism for nootropics is to improve the production of various neurotransmitters, therefore, an inhibition of the enzymes that destroy them is likely to have a synergistic action on the overall effect. Card image cap Onnit Alpha Brain A great formula put together by Onnit Labs for memory and processing speed. Card image cap Nootrobox Rise The team at Nootrobox have done a great job putting together this daily nootropic! Card image cap Nootrobox Sprint With caffeine, L-theanine, and vitamin B Bioprospecting Plant-Based MAO Inhibitors Bioprospecting is the act of seeking out new medicines and commercial compounds from plant and animal species. Here we highlight a few plants that have been found to have marked MAO inhibiting properties. licorice root.jpg Botanical MAO Inhibitors: 1. Amur Cork Tree (Phellodendron Amurense) MAO-B Inhibition Very High (IC50 <.07 mg/ml) Amur cork tree is one of the 50 fundamental Chinese herbs. It's commonly used for it's sedative, muscle relaxant, antiarrhythmic, positive inotropic, hypotensive, and antibacterial actions. 2. Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root) MAO-B Inhibition Very High (IC50 <.07 mg/ml) Gan Cao is a type of licorice (same genus), and is used in much the same way. Its traditional uses involves female disorders, digestive disorders, ulcers, and heart arryhtmias. One of the most interesting sue of this plant, is as a "harmonizer" of other medicinal plants. In Chinese traditional medicine this is one of the main herbs used in formulas for its ability to improve the outcomes of other plants. 3. Psorlea Fruit Babchi (Psoralea Corylifolia) MAO-B Inhibition Very High (IC50 <.07 mg/ml) Psorlea fruit is a lesser known Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese medicinal plant species. It was used in the past for conditions like vitiligo and other skin related conditions. Recently it has received a lot of attention for its MAO inhibiting properties, and is suggested to be a norepinephrine, re-uptake inhibitor. 4. Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza Glabra) MAO-B Inhibition Very High (IC50 <0.07 mg/ml) Licorice and Gan Cao are very similar and have virtually the same uses. Licorice was often added to Chinese formulas for its ability to imporve the actions of the other herbs in the formula. 5. Bakuchi Seed (Cyamopsis Psoralioides) MAO-B Inhibition Very High (IC50 <0.07 mg/ml) The seed oil of Bakuchi is mainly used for treating skin and muscle damage. It's an old Ayurvedic herb with a long history of use and a long list of traditional uses in the body. Some Honourable Mentions: 1. Black Pepper (Piper Negrum) MAO-B Inhibition High (IC50 <.2 mg/ml) The black pepper extract piperine is a common addition to herbal and pharmaceutical medicines for its ability to dramatically improve intestinal absorption. Interestingly, piperine is also at least one of the components of black pepper shown to inhibit MAO-B. [7]. 2. Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis) MAO-B Inhibition High (IC50 <.2 mg/ml) Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is by far one of the most popular health beverages on the planet. The health benefits of green tea are long and highly dependant on the way the harvested plant has been harvested and processed. In the study quotes for this MAO inhibitor data, the chosen product was Chinese Gunpowder Green Tea. 3. Kava Kava (Piper Methysticum) kava mao inhibitor MAO-B Inhibition High (IC50 <.2 mg/ml) Kava (Piper methysticum) is most popular for its use as an anxiolytic. It’s a common trick among public speakers to take a shot of kava extract before entering the stage. It is perfect for those affected by anxiety disorders and is used my many to calm down during stressful events or in the event of insomnia. 4. Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla Vulgaris) MAO-B Inhibition High (IC50 <.2 mg/ml) Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) is most commonly used to slow or stop bleeding, whether topically or internally. it has also been used as a muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant. 5. Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) MAO-B Inhibition High (IC50 <.2 mg/ml) Turmeric is one of the most well known, and popular herbs world wide. It's a main ingredient in curry, and a popular anti-inflammatory. It has a long list of uses, including antidepressant, hypotensive, cardiac tonic, antibacterial, and anti-arthritic.