Design and synthesis of newer N-benzimidazol-2yl benzamide analogues as allosteric activators of human glucokinase

Allosteric activators of human glucokinase (GK) had revealed significant hypoglycemic effects for therapy of type-2 diabetes (T2D) in animal as well as human models. Some newer N-benzimidazol-2yl substituted benzamide analogues were prepared and assessed for activation of GK accompanied by molecular docking investigations for predicting the bonding interactions of these derivatives with the residues in allosteric site of GK protein. Amongst the derivatives synthesized, compounds 2 and 7 strongly increased catalytic action of GK (GK activation fold >2.0 in comparison to control) in vitro. The results of in-vitro testing were supported by the molecular docking investigations of these analogues with GK protein’s allosteric site residues (showed appreciable H-bond interactions with Arg63 residue of GK). Derivatives investigated in present study afforded few lead compounds for the discovery of harmless and strong allosteric GK activating compounds for treating T2D.