Stilbene analogs of resveratrol improve insulin resistance through activation of AMPK.

Resveratrol (RSV), 3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene, is known to have many beneficial physiological activities. We have synthesized several stilbene analogues and have reported that the hydroxyl group in the 4' position of RSV exhibited strong radical scavenging action. Using stilbene analogs, we investigated the structure of RSV to explain its protective effect against obesity and type 2 diabetes.