Synthesis and Structure–Activity Relationship Studies of Quinoxaline Derivatives as Aldose Reductase Inhibitors

ARIs for diabetes: A series of 2-(3-benzyl-2-oxoquinoxalin-1(2H)-yl)acetic acid derivatives were designed and synthesized as inhibitors of aldose reductase (AR), a novel target for the treatment of diabetes complications. Most of the derivatives proved to be potent and selective, with IC50 values in the low nanomolar to micromolar range.