A series of novel dibenzo[b,d]furan mono-carboxylic acid derivatives were synthesized, characterized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) in vitro in order to use them as potential anti-diabetic agents. Structure-activity relationship study led to the identification of potent compound 5 E which inhibited PTP1B with IC(50) value of 82+/-0.43 nM. Compound 5 E was screened in vivo as drug candidate for anti-diabetic activity using rosiglitazone maleate as the standard. Compound 5 E showed significant reduction in body weight, fed-state whole blood glucose (WBG), fasting WBG, plasma glucose and plasma cholesterol levels and non-significant reduction in fasting plasma triglyceride levels in ob/ob mice.
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