Small molecule activators of SIRT1 as therapeutics for the treatment of type 2 diabetes

SIRT1 activators in diabetes SIRT1, an NAD + -dependent deacetylase that acts on proteins involved in cellular regulation, has been implicated in longevity and as a mediator of the beneficial effects of calorie restriction. A new screening programme has identified a series of small-molecule SIRT1 activators that are structurally unlike, and 1,000-fold more potent than, resveratrol, the well-known SIRT1 activator found in red wine. These new compounds improve metabolic function in animal models of diabetes and obesity, suggesting that they may have therapeutic potential in type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.