A highly potent insulin-mimetic zinc(II) complex with a Zn(S2O2) coordination mode:: Bis(1,6-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-pentyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-4-thionato)zinc(II)

Zn(II) complexes of allixin and its sulfur and N-methyl analogs were newly prepared, and their insulin-mimetic activities were evaluated. Among them, a new bis(1,6-dimethyl3-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-pentyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-4-thionato)- zinc(11) complex exhibited the most potent insulin-mimetic activity (IC50 = 11 mu M) in terms of inhibition of free fatty acid release in adipocytes.