Synthesis, glucose uptake activity and structure-activity relationships of some novel glitazones incorporated with glycine, aromatic and alicyclic amine moieties via two carbon acyl linker

► Three series of novel glitazones were designed, synthesized and analyzed. ► Compounds were synthesized both under conventional and microwave methods. ► Nineteen out of twenty four synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro glucose uptake activity. ► Compounds, 6, 9a, 13a, 13b, 13c, 13f and 13h exhibited significant glucose uptake activity.