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Novel acetylenyl-containing benzamide derivatives were synthesized and screened using an in vitro assay measuring increases in glucokinase activity stimulated by 10 mM glucose concentration and glucose uptake in rat hepatocytes. Lead optimization of an acetylenyl benzamide series led to the discovery of several active compounds via in vitro enzyme assays (EC50 < 40 nM) and in vivo OGTT assays (AUC reduction > 40% at 50 mg/kg). Of the active compounds tested, 3-(3-amino-phenylethynyl)-5-(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethoxy)-N-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-benzamide (19) was identified as a potent glucokinase activator exhibiting an EC50 of 27 nM and eliciting a 2.16-fold increase in glucose uptake. Compound 19 caused a glucose AUC reduction of 47.4% (30 mg/kg) in an OGTT study in C57BL/6J mice compared to 22.6% for sitagliptin (30 mg/kg). Single treatment of the compound 19 in C57BL/6J mice elicited basal glucose lowering activity without any significant evidence for hypoglycemia risk. Compound 19 was therefore selected as a candidate for further preclinical development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

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G protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119) is expressed in the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract, and its activation promotes insulin secretion in the beta cells of the pancreatic islets as well as the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in intestinal L cells, consequently improving glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Due to this dual mechanism of action, the development of small-molecule GPR119 agonists has received significant interest for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. We newly synthesized 1,2,4-triazolone derivatives of GPR119 agonists, which demonstrated excellent outcomes in a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) assay. Among the synthesized derivatives, YH18968 showed cAMP=2.8 nM; in GLUTag cell, GLP-1secretion=2.3 fold; in the HIT-T15 cell, and insulin secretion=1.9 fold. Single oral administration of YH18968 improved glucose tolerance and combined treatment with a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor augmented the glucose lowering effect as well as the plasma level of active GLP-1 in normal mice. Single oral administration of YH18968 improved glucose tolerance in a diet induced obese mice model. This effect was maintained after repeated dosing for 4 weeks. The results indicate that YH18968 combined with a DPP-4 inhibitor may be an effective therapeutic candidate for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.