Synthesis and in vitro insulin-mimetic activities of zinc(ii) complexes of ethyl 2,5-dihydro-4-hydroxy-5-oxo-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylates

Several Zn(ii) complexes (2a–e) of 1-arylmethyl-2,5-dihydro-4-hydroxy-5-oxo-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylates (1a–e), known drug candidates for diabetic complications, were synthesized and proved to have in vitroinsulin-mimetic activities, suggesting that these complexes are potential chemotherapeutics that are effective against both diabetes and diabetic complications. Zinc(ii) complexes of 1-arylmethyl-2,5-dihydro-4-hydroxy-5-oxo-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylates, known drug candidates for diabetic complications, exhibited apparent in vitro insulin-mimetic activity.