Benzylidenethiazolidine compounds of formula (I):
 [in which R¹, R² and R⁵ are each hydrogen or alkyl; R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, alkyl, formyl, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, hydroxy, alkylcarbonyloxy, formyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, optionally substituted alkoxy or halogen; W is methylene, carbonyl or a group of formula >C=N-OV, in which V is hydrogen, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl or optionally substituted alkyl; and n is an integer of from 1 to 3] and salts thereof have the ability to inhibit the formation of lipid peroxide in the mammalian body, and can therefore be used for the treatment of arteriosclerosis and other diseases and disorders arising from an imbalance in the lipid peroxide level. They can also be used for the preparation of the corresponding benzylthiazolidine compounds, which have a generally greater hypoglycemic activity. Processes for the preparation of these compounds of formula (I) are also provided.
                            式 (I) 的亚苄基
噻唑烷化合物:
 [其中 R¹、R² 和 R⁵ 各自为氢或烷基;R³ 和 R⁴ 各自为氢、烷基、甲酰基、烷基羰基、芳基羰基、羧基、烷氧基羰基、芳氧基羰基、羟基、烷基羰氧基、甲酰氧基、芳基羰氧基、任选取代的烷氧基或卤素;W 是亚甲基、羰基或式 >C=N-OV 的基团,其中 V 是氢、烷基羰基、芳基羰基或任选取代的烷基;和 n 是 1 至 3 的整数]及其盐类具有抑制哺乳动物体内过氧化脂质形成的能力,因此可用于治疗动脉硬化和其他因过氧化脂质
水平失衡而引起的疾病和失调。它们还可用于制备相应的苄基
噻唑烷化合物,后者通常具有更强的降血糖活性。此外,还提供了制备这些式(I)化合物的工艺。