Oxadiazolopyrazines and oxadiazolopyridines useful as mitochondrial uncouplers

Abstract

The disclosure provide compounds of Formula I and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The variables, R, R, R, X, X, and Z are defined herein. Certain compounds of Formula I act as selective mitochondrial protonophore uncouplers that do not affect the plasma membrane potential. Compounds and salts of Formula I are useful for treating or decreasing the risk of conditions responsive to mitochondrial uncoupling, such as cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, Parkinson's disease, ischemia reperfusion injury, heart failure, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD), and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Because mitochondrial uncouplers decrease the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are known to contribute to age-related cell damage, compounds of Formula I are useful for increasing lifespan. Compounds and salts of Formula I are also useful for regulating glucose homeostasis or insulin action in a patient.