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Title:
METFORMIN DERIVATIVES FOR TREATING DIABETES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/124141
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention provides mutual ternary salts of metformin, lipoie acid and acidic amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid. The invention further provides treatment of prediabetes, diabetes, diabetic complications and/or other conditions in mammals in a method that comprises administering an effective amount of one or more of the foregoing compositions to a mammal In need of such treatment.

Inventors:
MYLARI BANAVARA L (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2014/015111
Publication Date:
August 14, 2014
Filing Date:
February 06, 2014
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
MYLARI BANAVARA L (US)
International Classes:
A61K31/155; A01N37/52; A61K31/385
Domestic Patent References:
WO2011051974A12011-05-05
WO2014011814A12014-01-16
Foreign References:
US20070293562A12007-12-20
US20060024367A12006-02-02
US20060159746A12006-07-20
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
KATZ, Robert, D. (3 Park Avenue 16th Floo, New York NY, US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
What is claimed is:

1. A compound having the following structure (Formula II):

15 wherein ^ l to 6, and the stereo chemical center depicted hy a * is S (raeemate).

predominantly R (+), and predominantly S (-) or a pharmaceutically acceptable solvate or hydrate thereof.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein n = I and * is RS (±, raeemate),

3. The composition of claim I wherein n∞ 1 and * is predominantly (+),

4. The composition of claim 1 wherein n™ 2 and * is RS.

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein n™ 2 and * is predominantly R(+).

6. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of the compound of claim 2 effective to treat diabetes, a prc-diabeiic condition, or a diabetic complication and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, vehicle, or diluent.

7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of the compound of Claim 3 effective to treat diabetes, a pre-diabetic condition, or a diabetic complication and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, vehicle, or diluent

8. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of ihe compound of Claim 4 effective to treat diabetes, a pre~diabetie condition, or a diabetic complication and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier, vehicle, or diluent

9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of the compound of Claim S effective to treat diabetes, a pre-dlabetic condition, or a diabetic complication arsd a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, vehicle, or diluent,

10. A method for treating diabetes in a mammal having diabetes, comprising

administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim I in a pharmaceutical ly acceptable vehicle,

1 1 . A method for treating diabetes m a mammal having diabetes comprising

administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of claim 2 in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

12. A method for treating diabetes In a mammal having diabetes comprising

administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of claim 3 in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

13. A method for treating diabetes in a mammal having diabetes comprising

administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of claim 4 in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

14. A method for treating diabetes In a mammal having diabetes comprising

administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of claim 5 in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle,

15. A method of treating diabetic complications in a mammal, comprising

administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of claim 1 in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, , A method of treating diabetic complications in a mammal, comprising administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of claim 2 in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, , A method of treating diabetic complications in a mammal having such

complications, comprising administering thereto a therapeutical iy effective amount of the composition of claim 3 in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. , A method of treating diabetic complications in a mammal having such

complications, comprising administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of claim 4 in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. , A method of treating diabetic complications in a mammal having such

complications, comprising administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of claim 5 in a pharmaceutical Iy acceptable vehicle. , The method according to claim 15, wherein the diabetic complication is

nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, cataracts, myocardial ischemia, or cardiomyopathy. , A method of treating a prediabetes syndrome in a mammal having a predibetes syndrome, comprising administering thereto mammal a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of claim I in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. , A method of treating prediabetes In a mammal affected thereby, comprising administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of claim 2 m a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, , A method of treating obesity in an obese mammal, comprising administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of claim 3 in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

24. A method of treating o esity in an obese mammal, comprising administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of eiaim 4 in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle,

25. A method of treating obesity in a m mmal, comprising administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of claim 5,

26, A method for the manufacture of the composition of claim ! comprising: (a) adding a solution of racemie or R (+) hpoic aesd to a solution of aspartie acid or glutamic acid al a temperature between about 0 degrees€ and about ambient temperature to obtain a reaction mixture; and (b) adding free base metformin to the reaction mixture of (a) at a temperature of between about 0 degrees€ and ambient temperature.

Description:
METFORMIN DERIVATIVES FOR TREATING DIABETES

£BOSS R EFERENC E TO RELATED AFPUCATI ON

This application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Application Serial No.

61/761 ,768, filed February 7, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference,

FIELD OF THB INVENTION

The present invention relates to mutual salts of metformin, lipoie acid and aspartic acid or glutamic acid,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diabetes mellitus has become pandemic and according to a forecast by the World Health Organization, there will be a sharp increase in the number of diabetic patients by the year 2030, This is an ominous forecast, because managing the long-term complications of diabetes, which include nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, a d cardiovascular complications, will have a serious impact on public health budgets. The hallmark of diabetes is chronically elevated blood glucose levels. It is also known that abnormally elevated glucose levels have an adverse impact on glutathione levels in key diabetic tissues. Furthermore, increased oxidative stress and increased production of reactive oxygen species are implicated under hyperglycemic conditions.

In spite of the early discovery of insnlin and its subsequent widespread use in the treatment of diabetes, and the later discovery of and use of sulfonylureas, and

thiazo!idenedlones, such as trogfitazone, rosiglitazone or piog!itazone, as oral hypoglycemic agents, the treatment of diabetes remains less than satisfactory.

The use of Insulin requires multiple daily doses, usually by self- injection. Determination of the proper dosage of insulin requires frequent estimations of the sugar in urine or blood. Treatment of non-insulin de end nt diabetes mel!itus (type 2) diabetes (N1DDM) usually involves a combination of diet, exercise, oral hypoglycemic agents, e.g., thiazoiidenediones. and, in more severe cases, insulin. However, the clinically available hypoglycemic agents can either have side effects limiting their use, or rosy not be effective with a particular patient. Irs the case of insulin dependent diabetes melliius (Type I), insulin administration usually constitutes the primary course of therapy.

The biguanide metformin is a known compound approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for the therapeutic treatment of diabetes. The compound and its preparation and use are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat, No, 3, 174,901. Metformin is orally effective i the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Metformin (Ν,Ν~

dimefhylimidodicarbonimidie diamide) is a bignanide, aots-hyperglycemsc agent currently marketed in the United States in the form of its hydrochloride salt, 1 , ! -dimethyl biguanide hydrochloride (Formula 1 ):

Formula !

Metformin hydrochloride can be purchased commercially and can also be prepared, for example, as disclosed In J. Chen; . Soc, (S 22), 121 , 1790.

U.S. Patent US 7,973,073 B2 (My!ari) describes a method for treating diabetes or diabetic complications using metformin R-(-f) lipoate.

According to United Kingdom Perspective Diabetes Study (U PDS) (Clarke et al Diabej jogk, (2005), 48, Βδ§-87?), metformin therapy was cost-saving and increased quality-adjusted life expectancy. In the UKPDS, overweight and obese patients randomized to initial therapy with metformin experienced significant reductions in myocardial infarction and diabetes-related deaths. Metformin does not promote weight gain and has beneficial effects on several cardiovascular risk factors. Accordingly, metformin is widely regarded as the drug of choice for most patients with Type 2 diabetes. AAllpphhaa--IIiippooiicc aacciidd,, ccoommmmoonnllyy k knnoowwnn aass lliippooiicc aacciidd,, hhaass aa vvaarriieettyy ooff nnaammeess,, iinncclluuddiinngg tthhiiooccttiicc aacciidd,, ll ss 22--ddiitthhiioollaannee--33--ppeennttaannooIIcc aacciidd,, SS ,,22--ddiitthhoollaannee--33--vvaalleerriicc aacciidd,, 66,8--tthhiiaoccttiicc aacciiddSS--ppCC SS ^^--ddiitthhilooliaannyyl Jf--ppeennttaannoollec aadcidd,, ddeellttaa-[33~-(( lI,,22dd««tthhiiaaecyyccll0oppeennttyyll))]] ppeennttaannooiicc aacciidd aanndd ppyyrruuvvaattee ooxxiiddaattiioonn ffaaccttoorr.. AAllpphhaa lliippooiicc aadcidd hhaass aann aassyymmmmeettrriicc cceenntteerr aanndd iiss uussuuaallllyy eemmppllooyyeedd iinn tthhee ffoorrmm ooff aa ra racceemmiicc mmiixxttuurree ooff iittss RR-- aanndd SS--eenrcaanniiiioormrteerrss,, ppaarrttiiccuullaarrllyy iinn nnuuttrriittiioonnaall ssuupppplleemmeennttss.. AAllll ppuubblliisshheedd cclliinniiccaall ttririaallss hhaavvee tthhuuss ffaarr bbeeeerns ccoonndduucctteedd wwiitthh rraacceemmiicc aallpphhaa--lHippooiiec aacciidd..

AAllpphhaa--lliippoollcc aacciidd ((hheerreeiinn rreeffeerrrreedd ttoo aass lliippooiicc aacciidd)) iIss aann aannttiiooxxiiddaanntt aanndd IIss aa ssccaavveennggeerr ooff rreeaaccttiivvee ooxxyyggeenn ssppeecciieess ((RROOSS)),, IItt cchheellaatteess mmeettaallss aanndd rreeccyycclleess eennddooggeennoouuss aannttiiooxxiiddaannttss,, LLiippooiicc aacciidd ccaann ssccaavveennggee ssiinngglleett ooxxyyggeenn,, ¾(¾ hhyyddrrooxxyyll rraaddiiccaall,, NNOO,, aanndd OONNOOOO "" ,, TThhee rreedduucceedd ffoorrmm ooff lliippooiicc aacciidd,, ddiihhyyddrroolliippoollcc aacciidd,, ccaann ffuurtrthheerr ssccaavveennggee OO ,, aanndd ppeerrooxxyy rraaddiiccaallss,, LLiippooiicc aacciidd ccaarns aallssoo cchheellaattee sseevveerraall ddiivvaalleenntt ccaattiioonnss,, ee..gg..,, MMnn 33++ .. CCuu "" **,, ZZnn 22 ** CCdd i1+ *,, aanndd PPbb 22 \\ TThheerreeffoorree,, lliippooiicc aacciidd ccaann iinnhhiibbiitt aassccoorrbbaattee--iinndduucceedd pprroodduuccttiioonn ooff ¾¾((½½ bbyy CCuu 22++ .. LLiippooiicc aacciidd ccaann rreeccyyccllee eennddooggeennoouuss aannttiiooxxiiddaannttss,, ssuucchh aass gglluuttaatthhiioonnee ((GGSSHH)),, aanndd vviittaammiinn CC,, GGSSHH pprrootteeccttss ttiissssuueess ffrroomm ooxxiiddaattiivvee ssttrreessss,, LLiippooiicc aacciidd ccaann aallssoo cciirrccuullaattee ppllaassmmaa lleevveellss ooff llaaccttaattee aanndd ppyyrruuvvaattee iinn ddiiaabbeettiicc ppaattiieennttss.. EEssttrraaddaa eett aa!l..,„ ((DDiiaabbeetteess,, 11999966,, 4455,, 11779988-- 11880044)) rreeppoorrtt tthhaatt lliippooiicc aacciidd iinndduucceess GGLLUUTTss ((gglluuccoossee ttrraannssppoorrtteerrss)) aanndd gglluuccoossee uuppttaakkee aanndd tthhiiss ssuuggggeessttss tthhaatt lliippooiicc aacciidd mmaayy aallssoo ssttiimmuullaattee tthhee iinnssuulliinn ssiiggnnaalliinngg ppaatthhwwaayy,, LLiippooiicc aacciidd aaddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn hhaass bbeeeenn sshhoowwnn toto bbee aaccttiivvee IInn ooxxiiddaattiivvee ssttrreessss mmooddeellss IInncclluuddiinngg iinn IIsscchheemmiiaa--rreeppeerrffuussiioonn iinnjjuurryy mmooddeell FFuurrtthheerrmmoorree,, lliippooiicc aacciidd ccaarns ffuunnccttiioonn aass aa rreeddooxx rreegguullaattoorr ooff tthhiioorreeddooxxl!nn aanndd NNFF--kkaappppaa BB ttrraannssccrriippttiioonn ffaaccttoorr.. MMaannyy ooff tthhee aassppeeccttss ooff lliippooiicc aacciidd ddeessccrriibbeedd hheerreeiinn aarree iinncclluuddeedd iinn tthhee rreevviieeww bbyy SSmmiitthh eett aa!!..,, CCuurrrreenntt ((22000044)),, 11 11 ,, 11 113355--11 114466..

While lipoic acid is practically insoluble in water (Merck Index, 1 1" ed. at 9259) } the salts of the present invention are markedly more water soluble to provide concomitant delivery of both metformin and lipoic acid, thus providing a dual action in targeting both blood glucose control and long-term diabetes complications, such as nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, cataracts and cardiovascular complications. Furthermore, the new salts would offer a patient friendly dosage form of two active therapies in a fixed dosage combination with increased reliability for dally patient compliance. Prediabetes is a syndrome. Many patients with type 2 diabetes and with a prediabetic condition known as metabolic syndrome suffer from a variety of lipid disorders including elevated triglycerides. The body uses triglycerides to store fat, but high {>200 mg/dl) and very high (>5Θ0 mg dl) triglycerides are associated with atherosclerosis which increases the patients* risk of heart attack and stroke.

Incipient diabetes with impaired glucose tolerance is another prediabetic condition Overall, type 2 dsabetes and Incipient diabetes with impaired glucose tolerance are intimately intertwined with obesity, hyperllpidemia, including hypertriglyceridemia, and cardiovascular complications including arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, stroke and heart failure. Clinically, pre~diabetes means that blood sugar level is higher than normal, btsi it's not yet Increased enough to foe classified as type 2 diabetes. Still, without intervention, prediabetes is likely to become type 2 diabetes over time.

Diabetic complications include cataracts, nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy,, and cardiovascular complications, including myocardial ischemia, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure,

Also, diabetic patients have impaired circulation that manifests itself in peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and the slow healing of wounds in the foot and lower leg and puts the patient at risk for amputation.

Each of the citations herein, whether patents or publications, is Incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY OF THEJMVENTIQN

The present invention provides compositions of having the following structure:

Formula II

Wherein n is i to 6 and the chiraiky at the "carbon atom is ( S,±)) 5 R ( *-) or S {-).

It should be understood that the location of the positive charge in metformin is illustrative only and it could be located on other nitrogen atoms in metformin.

The compositions are typically compounds in the form of mutual salts of metformin, lipoic acid, including RS (racemie), R md 5 cnantiomers arsd aspartic acid or glutamic acid in which the metformin moiety is protonated and ibe acid moieties are at least partially in ionic form. In some instances, however, for example depending on the pH of the environment, the composition may be in the form of a mixture of the metformin and acid components. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising compositions of formula il and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. The invention further provides methods for treating diabetes {especially type 2 diabetes), prediabetes, obesity, diabetic complications such as nephropathy^ neuropathy, retinopathy, cataracts and cardiovascular complications such as myocardial infarction and cardiomyopathy. The compounds and compositions of this invention may provide high blood levels of the compositions of formula 11, when administered to patients, preferably by oral administration.

Particularly useful compounds are those wherein n is 1 and 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Compounds of the present invention cars be considered as designer dual-acting drugs and additionally possess a means for improving the bioavailability of their component moieties as a result of their high degree of water solubility.

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition of the invention comprising compound of formula 11 and a pharmaceuiical!y-acceptab!e carrier, vehicle or diluent.

The pharmaceutical composition may, for example, be in a form suitable for oral administration as a tablet, capsule, pill, powder, sustained release formulation, solution, suspension, for parenteral injection as a sterile solution, suspension or emulsion. Such compositions and methods for their preparation may be found, for example, in

Rem ingtort's Pharmaceutical Sciences. 1 th ed. ( ack 1 95). The pharmaceutical composition may be in nnit dosage forms suitable for single administration of precise dosages. The pharmaceutical composition will include a conventional pharmaceutical carrier or excipiertt and an active compound.

Formulations suitable for oral administration include solid formulations such as tablets, capsules containing particulates, liquids, or powders, lozenges (including Hquid-fdled lozenges), chews, rnulti- and nano-particulates, gels, solid solution, liposome, films, ovules, sprays and liquid formulations.

Tablet dosage forms typically also include a disintegrant (such as sodium starch glyco!ate, sodium earboxymethy? cellulose, calcium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, methyl cellulose, macrocrystalline cellulose, lower alkyi-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, starch, pregelaiinked starch and sodium alginate), a binder (such as microcrystalline cellulose, gelatin, a sugar, polyethylene glycol, natural and synthetic gums, polyvinylpyrrolidone, prege latinized starch, hydroxypropyi cellulose and hydroxypropyl methykellulose), and a lubricant (such as magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, sodium stearyl furnarate, and mixtures of magnesium stearate with sodium iauryl sulfate), A diluent such as lactose, mannitol, xylitol, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, microcrystalline cellulose, starch and dibasic calcium phosphate dehydrate) may also be present. Compositions of the invention may also be administered for example as capsules made, for example, from gelatin or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. Liquid form ula ons include sus ensions, solutions, syrups and elixirs. Such formulations may be employed as fillers in soft or hard capsules and typically comprise a carrier, for example, water, ethanol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, methyleellulose, or a suitable oil Liquid formulations may also be prepared by the reconstiiution of a solid, for example, from a sachet The compositions of the invention may also be used in fast- dissolving, fast-disintegrating dosage forms such as those described in Exoert. pinion in Therapeutic Patents. 1 1 (6), 981 -986,, by Liang and Chen (2001 ).

The term alpba-lipoic acid includes racemic ( S) compound, and R, and S enantiomeric compounds.

The terms "treating", "treat", or "treatment" as used herein include curative, preventive (e.g., prophylactic) and palliative treatment.

Other formulations will be apparent to those skilled m the art.

The invention further provides methods for treatment or lowering the risk of developing conditions such as diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, obesity, myocardial infarction and cardiomyopathy by administering therapeutically effective amounts of compositions of Formula IS. Such compositions may also be used to treat or prevent the progression of diabetic complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, cataracts and cardiovascular complications such as myocardial ischemia, and

cardiomyopathy. Suitable dosages may be determined by conventional means.

The following examples are meant to be illustrative but not limited of the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 - Diabetic Rat Model

The following example describes a diabetic rat model that may be used for determination of conditions leading to a method for treatment and prevention of postishemic damage of the heart and heart tissue.

Spontaneously diabetic Bio-Bred (BB/W) rats from the colony maintained at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA were used in this study, BB/W rats were chosen for the current study because the BB/W rats have been considered a useful mode! of autoimmune human insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDlvl). Like human 1DDM, spontaneous diabetes appears during adolescence, with an abrupt clinical onset characterised by weight loss s hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinernia, and ketonuria. As in the case of human diabetics, pathological changes in retina, myocardium, liver, kidrsey, bone metabolism and peripheral nerves ve all been well documented in BB rats, as described in Diah, Meiab.Rev., 8:9 ( 1992). The BB/W rats were 3 to 4 months old and weighed about 300 to 350 g. The BB/W rats received daily insulin, which was discontinued 24 h prior to performing the isolated heart perfusion studies, leading to a hyperglycemic state. The rats were acutely diabetic, receiving 2,02 ± 0,04 units of insulin daily } and had been diabetic for at least 12 ± 3 days. The mean blood glucose levels in these diabetic rats were 386 ά 24 mg/dL. The age- matched non-diabetic controls had mean blood glucose levels of 92 ± 12 mg/dL,

E AMEtJIli - Isolated Perfused Heart Model

Th is example describes an isolated perfused rat heart model used in

development of the invention. Studies are performed using an isovolumic isolated rat heart preparation. Acutely diabetic male BBAV rats and non-diabetic age-matched (3 to 4 months old) control are pretreated with heparin ( 1000 u; IP), followed by sodium pentobarbital (65 mg/kg; IP). After deep anesthesia is achieved, as determ ined by the absence of a foot reflex, the hearts are rapidly excised and placed into iced saline. The arrested hearts are retrograde perfused in a non- recirculating model through the aorta with in 2 minutes following their excision. Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) is determined using a latex balloon in the left ventricle with high pressure tubing connected to a pressure transducer, Perfusion pressure is monitored using high pressure tubing off the perfusion line. Hemodynamic measurements are recorded on a 4-channel Gould recorder, The system has two parallel perfusion Hoes with separate oxygenators, pumps and bubble traps, but common temperature control allows rapid change perfusion media. The hearts are perfused using an accurate roller pump. The perfusate consists of 1 1 S mM aC i , ΛΊ mM C L 12 rnM Ca<¾, 12 mM

MgC I 2 s 25 mM NaH€t¾, and the substrate 1 1 mM glucose. The perfusion apparatus is tightly temperature-controlled, with heated baths being used for the perfusate and for the water jacketing around the perfusion tubing to maintain heart temperature at 37 ± 0,5 °C unde all conditions. The oxygenated perfusate in the room temperature reservoir is passed through 25 ft. of thin-walled silicone tubing surrounded by distilled water at 37 °C saturated with 95% oxygen.

The perfusate then enters the water-jacketed (37 °C) tubing leading to the heart through a water jacketed bubble trap. This preparation provides excellent oxygenation that routinely has been stable for 3 io 4 hours.

EXAM PLE 111 - Model for Zero-ZLow Ischemia

This example describes a procedure used for study of zero-flow ischemia in diabetic control, diabetic treated, non-diabetic treated and control isolated hearts. Diabetic control (DC) f diabetic treated (DZ), normal {€) control, and normal treated (CZ) hearts are subjected to 20 minutes of normoxic perfusion followed by 20 minutes of zero-flow ischemia where the perfusate flow is completely shut off, followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. Hearts are treated with S O μΜ compounds of the formula II, wherein n is I or 2 and the chirality at the *carbon atom is (RS } ±)), R (+) or S (— ), In the present examples compounds of the Formula II treated diabetic group (DZ). hearts are subjected to 1Θ minutes of normoxic perfusion with normal Krebs-Henseleit buffer and 10 minutes of normoxic perfusion with Krebs- Benseleit buffer containing 10 μΜ present compounds of Formula 11. The hearts are then subjected to 20 minutes of ?,ero~flow ischemia followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. In order to avoid any variability in reperfusion conditions, both DC and DZ hearts are reperf sed with normal Krebs-Henseleit buffer.

£¾AMEkii ".f ^ for Low-flow ischemia

This example describes a procedure used for study of low-flow ischemia in diabetic controls, diabetic treated, non-diabetic treated and non-diabetic control isolated hearts. Diabetic control hearts (DC) are subjected to 20 minutes of normoxic perfusion at a flow rate of 12.5 mL/minute followed by 30 minutes of low- How ischemia where the perfusate flow is slowed down to 125 rnL/min, that is about 10% of normal perfusion, followed by 30 minutes of reperfusion at a normal flow rate (12.5 mL/min). In the compounds of the Formula II, wherein n is 1 or 2 and the ehirality at the *carbon atom is (RS { ±)), R (4·) or S (~~) treated diabetic or non-diabetic groups (DZ or CZ) t hearts are subjected to 10 minutes of norrnoxic perfusion (flow rate 12,5 mL/mij¾) with normal Krebs-Henseleit buffer and 1 0 minutes of normoxk perfusion with rebs-Hemseleii buffer containing 10 μΜ present compounds metformin the formula IL The hearts are subjected to 30 minutes of low-flow ischemia (flow rate 1 ,25 mL/min) and 30 minutes of reperfnsion at normal flow rate (12.5 mL min) *

Animal models to determine the effects of compounds of the invention on diabetes and complications of diabetes have been reviewed by Tirabassi el a!., ILAR Journal, 2004, 45, 292-302, Antidiabetic activity may also be tested according to protocols described its the following patents; United States Patent Nos,

4,340,605; 4,342,771 ; 4,367,234; 4 61 731 2; 4 ; 687,777 and 4,703,052.

Additional references relevant to this application include the following: French Patent 279655 1 and United States Published Patent Application No,

2003/0220301 ,

One equivalent of aspartic acid or glutamic acid may be dissolved sn an appropriate reaction inert solvent. The solvent may be a polar solvent such as water. As used herein, the expression "reaction inert solvent" refers to a solvent or a mixture of solvents which doesn't interact with starting materials, reagents, intermediates or products in a manner which adversely affects the yield of the desired product. Preferred solvents Include methanol, ethanoi, n-propanol, isopropanot acetone, acetomitrife ethyl methyl ketone, diethyl ketone and methyl isobutyi ketone. Particularly preferred solvents for this reaction are is acetone, acetonitrile and methanol. To this solution may be added a solution of one equivalent of iipoic acid (Both racemic lipoic acid and its enantiomers (R and S) are commercially available.) and the reaction mixture can be stirred at about ambient temperature to about the reflux temperature of the solvent being used for about ½ hour to about six hours, preferably at ambient temperature for about two hours, To this reaction mixture a solution of metformin free base, prepared according the method of United States Patent No, 3,957,853 (hereby incorporated herein by reference) may be added. The reaction mixture can be stirred at about ambient temperature to about the reflux temperature of the solvent being used for about two hours to about six hoars, preferably at ambient temperature for about two hours. The metformin salts of this invention, as shown in Formula lf ? can be isolated from the reaction mixture by methods well known to those skilled in the art, including according to the method of United States Patent No,

3,957,853, The methods preparation metformin salts of the present invention can include the other possible sequential addition of aspartie acid, glutamic acid, and lipoic acid and metformin base,

EXAMPLE VI

Preparation of metformin-L-gkitamic aeid- { lipoic acid salt

Metformin hydrochloride (N j N^limethyiiniidodiearbommidie diamide hydrochloride, 5,25 g, 0.032 mol) was stirred in IN sodium hydroxide (32 mL.0,032 moi) at room temperature for 30 mm. Water was removed from the mixture under va . The crude mixture was treated with ethanol (100 mL) and stirred for 10 mm. The white residue was filtered off and ethanol was removed under vacuum to get a white residue. The ethanol treatment was repeated again to get a white solid (quantitative), which was dried in pump and used as metformin free base.

Method I ; Metformin free base (1.29 g s 0,010 mot) was taken in methanol ( 15 mL) nd while stirring L-G!utamsc acid (0.74 g, 0J50 moi) was added as solid. Lipoic acid (L03 g, 0,050 mol) was separately dissolved in methanol ( 15 mL) and added to this mixture through a In-line syringe filter (to remove polymeric material, if any). The m ixture was continued to stir for 30 min. Leaving the mixture in the refrigerator did not cause any precipitation of the salt, henee the solvent was removed under vactio and dried in high vacuum pump. Metformin. L~Giui am ic acid.R-Lipoie acid salt (2.9 g) was obtamed as light yellow foamy solid. This solid is high hygroscopic and turns Into gummy residue on exposure to air. The residue was suspended in acetonitrile (30 mL) and stirred for 1 8h. Filtered the pale yellow solid and dried in vacuum for 16 h to get

2.32 g of 3. Ή N R (200 MHz, i¾0) 8 1.15-2.1 ( 10H, m), δ 2 J -2.42 (5H S m), 8

2,88 ( I 2H, s), δ 2.95-3.12 (I H, m) δ 3.48-3.62 (2¾ m); l 3 C NMR (200 MHz, θ2θ) 6c 25.86, 27.25.28.68, 33.81 , 34.14, 37.66, 38.34, 40.51 , 54.95, 56.93, 158.63, 160.28, 174.80, 181.44, 183,81 ,

Method 2: Lipoie acid (1.03 g, 0.050 mo!) was dissolved in acetonitrile (30 mL) and io this Metformin free base (1 ,29 g, 0,010 rnol) and L-GIutamic acid (0.74 g, 0,050 mol) were added as solid. The resulting mixture was stirred for 2 h and filtered. The pale yellow solid was dried in vacuo For 16 h to get 2.56 g of 3, H NMR (200 MHz, D20) 8 1.15-2.1 ( 10M, m), δ 2.1 -2.42 (5H, m), δ 2.88 (12H, s), δ 2.95-3.12 (i H t m) δ 3.48-

3,62 (2H, m); °C NMR (200 MHz, D2O) 5 C 25.86, 27.25, 28.68, 33.81, 34.14, 37,66, 38.34, 40,5 1 , 54.95, 56,93, 158,63, 160,28, 174,80, 181.44, 1 83.81.