Structural Modification of Natural Product Ganomycin I Leading to Discovery of a α‑Glucosidase and HMG-CoA Reductase Dual Inhibitor Improving Obesity and Metabolic Dysfunction in Vivo

It is a great challenge to develop drugs for treatment of metabolic syndrome. With ganomycin I as a leading compound, 14 meroterpene derivatives were synthesized and screened for their α-glucosidase and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activities. As a result, a α-glucosidase and HMG-CoA reductase dual inhibitor ((R,E)-5-(4-(tert-butyl)­phenyl)-3-(4,8-dimethylnona-3,7-dien-1-yl)­furan-2­(5H)-one, 7d) with improved chemical stability and long-term safety was obtained. Compound 7d showed multiple and strong in vivo efficacies in reducing weight gain, lowering HbAlc level, and improving insulin resistance and lipid dysfunction in both ob/ob and diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice models. Compound 7d was also found to reduce hepatic steatosis in ob/ob model. 16S rRNA gene sequencing, SCFA, and intestinal mucosal barrier function analysis indicated that gut microbiota plays a central and causative role in mediating the multiple efficacies of 7d. Our results demonstrate that 7d is a promising drug candidate for metabolic syndrome.