The Role of Monoamine Oxidases in ADHD: A Narrative Review of Plant-Derived Inhibitors

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders, occurring in both children and adults, with its etiology and clinical presentation being multifactorial. Despite significant progress in diagnostics and treatment, available therapeutic strategies—particularly pharmacotherapy—are characterized by limited efficacy in some patients and the risk of numerous adverse effects. In recent years, natural bioactive compounds capable of modulating monoaminergic neurotransmission are gaining increasing interest; one of the mechanisms is the inhibition of the activity of monoamine oxidases (MAO-A and MAO-B), key enzymes involved in the metabolism of selected neurotransmitters. This paper provides a narrative review of the current state of knowledge on ADHD, covering its clinical characteristics, diagnostic process, currently used therapeutic methods, and the role of MAO enzymes in the regulation of central nervous system functions. Particular attention is devoted to natural MAO inhibitors, with an emphasis on plant-derived compounds. Due to the fact that the extraction and analysis of bioactive substances from flower petals remains a poorly explored area, this can be a significant research topic for developing new, potentially safer and better tolerated alternatives or adjuncts to conventional drugs used in ADHD therapy.