Synthesis and Hypoglycemic Activity of some Phthalimide Derivatives

N-hydroxyethyl phthalimide (PE-I) was prepared by refluxing phthalic anhydride with ethanolamine. 3phthalimidoethyl substituted benzoic acids (PE-II) were prepared by refluxing N-hydroxyethyl phthalimide with substituted benzoic acids. The corresponding acid chlorides (PE-III) were condensed with benzilidine-4acetophenone derivatives to afford the 3-(phthalimidoethyl)-4-substituted cinnamoyl substituted benzanilides (PEIV-1, 2, 4, 6, 9, PE-V-2, 4, 9). The compounds were screened for the in vitro DPP-IV inhibitory activity. The best three compounds in terms of the DPP-IV inhibition were subjected to in vivo studies in Streptozocin induced diabetic rats for the possible hypoglycemic activity.