Glucokinase activators and methods of using same

A compound having the structure

• wherein
• in the ring represents one or two double bonds;
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of aryl and heteroaryl;
• R2 is selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl and heterocyclyl;
• X is S;
• Y is CR4;
• Z is selected from the group consisting of
• O,
• S,
• S(O),
• S(O)2, and
• NR5a;
• R4 and R5 are the same or different and are independently selected from the group consisting of
• H,
• halogen,
• alkyl,
• aryl,
• heteroaryl,
• alkylaryl, and
• alkylheteroaryl
• R5a is selected from the group consisting of
• H,
• alkyl, and
• aryl;
• R6 and R7 are the same or different and are independently selected from the group consisting of
• H,
• halogen, and
• alkyl;
• R8 is selected from the group consisting of
• optionally substituted aryl, and
• optionally substituted heteroaryl;
• m is 0;
• n is 0, 1, 2, or 3;
• stereoisomers thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;
• with the proviso that
• where Z is S, S(O) or S(O)2, then R8 must be substituted with a substituent selected from
• 1) —C(O)NRfRg;
• 2) —NHC(O)ORh;
• 3) —OC(O)NHRh;
• 4) alkoxy;
• 5) tetrazolyl;
• and
• 6) SO2NRiRj;
• where Rf and Rg are independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl or Rf and Rg can be taken together with the N atom to which they are attached to form a 3 to 7 membered heterocyclo ring;
• Rh is alkyl or aryl;
• and
• Ri and R are independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl;
• provided that at least one of Ri and Rj is other than H.