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A novel series of GPR40 agonists is designed by introducing nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring at the terminal phenyl ring of TAK-875 with the aim of decreasing its lipophilicity. Three different β-substituted phenylpropionic acids were investigated as the acidic components. A total of 34 compounds have been synthesized, among which, compound 30 exhibited comparable GPR40 agonistic activity in vitro with TAK-875 and relatively lower lipophilicity through calculation (30, EC 50  = 1.2 μM, cLogP = 1.3; TAK-875: EC 50  = 5.1 μM, cLogP = 3.4). Moreover, compound 30 was able to enhance the insulin secretion of primary islets isolated from normal ICR mice and showed no obvious inhibition against cytochromes P450 in vitro. In vivo, compound 30 exhibited efficacy in oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) in normal ICR mice., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Based on the multi-target strategy to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), glucokinase/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (GK/PPARγ) dual-target molecules were constructed by the rational combination of pharmacophores from known GK activators and PPARγ agonists. A series of dual-target agents were designed and synthesized, and their capacities to induce GK and PPARγ transcriptional activity were evaluated. Three of these compounds showed particularly high potency toward GK, moderate activity toward PPARγ, and their structure-activity relationships were preliminarily analyzed. The putative binding modes of one of the most promising compounds were also explored by molecular docking simulations with GK and PPARγ., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A series of novel indole derivatives was synthesized as inhibitors of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase). Extensive structure-activity relationships were conducted and led to a potent FBPase inhibitor 3.9 with an IC₅₀ of 0.99 μM. The binding mode of this series of indoles was predicted using CDOCKER algorithm. The results of this research will shed light on the further design and optimization of novel small molecules as FBPase inhibitors., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A series of novel indole derivatives was designed and synthesized as inhibitors of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase). The most potent compound 14c was identified with an IC 50 value of 0.10 μM by testing the inhibitory activity against recombinant human FBPase. The structure-activity relationships were investigated on the substitution at 4- and 5-position of the indole scaffold. The binding interactions of the title compounds at AMP binding site of FBPase were predicted using CDOCKER algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of xanthine compounds derived from the previous hit 20i with modification on the terminal side chain was discovered through ring formation strategy. Systematic optimization of the compounds with rigid heterocycles in the hydrophobic side chain led to the new lead compound HBK001 (21h) with the improved DPP-IV inhibition and moderate GPR119 agonism activity in vitro. As a continuing work to further study the PK and PD profiles, 21h and its hydrochloride (22) were synthesized on grams scale and evaluated on the ADME/T and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in ICR mice. Compound 22 showed the improved bioavailability and blood glucose-lowering effect in vivo compared to its free base 21h probably attributed to its improved solubility and permeability. The preliminary toxicity studies on compound 22 exhibited that the result of mini-Ames was negative and the preliminary acute toxicity LD 50 in mice was above 1.5 g/kg, while it showed moderate inhibition on hERG channel with IC 50 4.9 μM maybe due to its high lipophilicity. These findings will be useful for the future drug design for more potent and safer dual ligand targeting DPP-IV and GPR119 for the treatment of diabetes. Image 1 • Novel xanthine derivatives were designed through ring formation strategy. • Systematic optimization from previous hit 20i led to the new lead compound HBK001. • HBK001 had potent DPP-IV inhibition and moderate GPR119 agonism activity. • HBK001 hydrochloride with superior PK showed potent in vivo glucose-lowering effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]