Synthesis and biological activity of novel barbituric and thiobarbituric acid derivatives against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Forty-four barbituric acid or thiobarbituric acid derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their effects on adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes by measuring the expression of adiponectin in vitro. Four compounds (3a, 30, 3s, 4t) were found to increase the expression of adiponectin and lower the leptin level in 31341 adipocytes at respective concentration of 10 mu M. Among them, 3s showed the most efficacious. Oral administration of 3s effectively reduced body weight, liver weight, and visceral fat and regulated serum levels of biochemical markers in the high-fat/diet-induced Wistar rats. Histopathological evaluation of liver sections by Oil Red O and H&E staining confirmed 3s as a potent, orally active molecule for reducing fat deposition against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.