Merck + Co., Inc.

Bei B Zhang

Kun Liu

Shieh-Shung T Chen

Gerald F Bills

Harold B Wood

Fernando Pelaez

Gino M Salituro

Anthony B Jones

Xiaohua Li

Royo Inmaculada

Substituted 4-hydroxy-2-furoic acids are obtained by the fermentation of an asterriquinone, which is a natural product having a 2,5-dioxy-3,6-bis(indolyl)quinone structure. The compounds modulate insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity and may be useful in the treatment of diabetes and other diseases or conditions characterized by impaired endogenous insulin production or an impaired response to endogenous insulin.

Antidiabetic 4-hydroxy-2-furoic acids

Compounds of formula I: ##STR1## as well as tautomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, prodrugs and reduced forms are disclosed. The compounds are useful for the treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus, and in particular, for the treatment or prevention of hyperglycemia in diabetic patients.

Antidiabetic agents

Indolylquinones are useful for the treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus, and in particular, for the treatment or prevention of hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. Some of the indolylquinones are produced by fermentation of the novel fungus Pseudomassaria sp. ATCC 74411.

Indolylquinones as antidiabetic agents

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Edison, NJ, United States of America

Bei B Zhang