Discovery of novel dual-action antidiabetic agents that inhibit glycogen phosphorylase and activate glucokinase

Dual-target-directed agents simultaneously inhibiting glycogen phosphorylase (GP) and activating glucokinase (GK) could decelerate the inflow of glucose from glycogenolysis and accelerate the outflow of glucose in the liver, therefore allow for a better control over hyperglycaemia in a synergetic manner. A series of hybrid compounds were designed by structure-assisted and ligand-based strategies. In vitro bioassays found two novel compounds (1j, 6g) worthy of further optimization on balance of dual action to GP and GK. In addition, for single-target activity, two compounds exhibited more potent GP inhibitory activity and four compounds showed better GK activation than their corresponding references.