Compounds for the prevention and treatment of glucose intolerance related conditions and obesity

1. A method of treatment of a condition selected from glucose intolerance related conditions selected from the group consisting of pre-diabetes, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1 diabetes mellitus), non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes mellitus), gestational diabetes mellitus, insulin deficit related conditions, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and obesity, comprising administering to an individual in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I)

wherein

R 1 represents a C1-C4 alkyl group, —C(═O)H, or —CH 2 —CH(COOH)—CH 2 —COOH,

R 2 represents —H or —CH 3 ;

R 3 represents —H;

R 4 represents —OH;

R 5 represents —H or —CH 3 ; and

R 6 represents —H, or —CH 3 ,

a and c represent a double bond, and b represents a single bond;

one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, or a composition comprising the compound of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said compound is chosen from the list consisting of 4-cresol, 4-hydroxybenzylsuccinate, and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said compound is 4-cresol.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the condition is type 1 diabetes mellitus.

5. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the condition is pre-diabetes, pre-diabetes with impaired fasting glucose, pre-diabetes with impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or gestational diabetes mellitus.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the compound is administered through the parenteral route via intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous or intradermal administration.

7. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the compound is administered by injection or infusion.

8. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein R 1 represents —CH 3 .