Synthesis, biological evaluation and in silico studies of 5-(3-methoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione analogues as PTP1B inhibitors.

PTP1B (protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B) dephosphorylates the insulin receptor substrate and thus acts as a negative regulator of the insulin and leptin signalling pathway. Recently, it has been considered as a new therapeutic target of intervention for the treatment of type2 diabetes. A series of aryl/alkylsulfonyloxy-5-(3-methoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives were synthesized, screened in vitro for their PTP1B inhibitory activity and in vivo for anti-hyperglycaemic activity. Docking results further helped in understanding the nature of interactions governing the binding mode of ligands inside the active site of PTP1B. Among the synthesized compounds, 13 and 16 were found to be potent PTP1B inhibitors having IC of 7.31 and 8.73μM respectively. Significant lowering of blood glucose level was observed in some of the synthesized compounds in in vivo study.