Inhibition of glycogen phosphorylases may lead to pharmacological treatments of diseases in which glycogen metabolism plays an important role: first of all in diabetes, but also in cardiovascular and tumorous disorders. C-(β-d-Glucopyranosyl) isoxazole, pyrazole, thiazole, and imidazole type compounds were synthesized, and the latter showed the strongest inhibition against rabbit muscle glycogen phosphorylase b. Most efficient was 2-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-4(5)-(2-naphthyl)-imidazole (11b, K i = 31 nM) representing the best nanomolar glucose derived inhibitor of the enzyme.
Keywords: C-Glucopyranosyl derivative; glycogen phosphorylase; imidazole; inhibitor; isoxazole; pyrazole; thiazole.