Synthesis and evaluation of a series of benzopyran derivatives as PPAR alpha/gamma agonists

A series of benzopyran derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for PPAR alpha/gamma agonist activities. Most of the compounds exhibit reasonable PPAR alpha and PPAR gamma agonist activities. In particular, compounds 7b, 8b, 8e and 8h with remarkable PPARg EC(50) values of 0.001microM are excellent full PPAR gamma agonists with the functional potency about 130, 20 times stronger than that of leading compound 5 and rosiglitazone, respectively. Compounds 7a, 7c, 7d and 8a are dual PPAR alpha/gamma agonists, and all of them gave comparable or stronger PPAR alpha/gamma agonist efficacy than that of the corresponding positive control.