Hypolipidemic analogues of ethyl 4-benzyloxybenzoate.

A series of compounds related to ethyl 4-benzyloxybenzoate was synthesized and evaluated for potential hypolipidemic activity in rats. Structure--activity relationships are discussed in terms of cholesterol-lowering activity together with effects on weight gain and liver lipids. A number of the compounds inhibited cholesterol and free fatty acid biosynthesis from [1-14C]acetate in rat liver slices in vitro. Ethyl 4-benzyloxybenzoate, ethyl-4-benzyloxybenzoic acid, ethyl 4-p-bromobenzyloxybenzoates, and 4-o-methoxybenzyloxyphenyl acetate exhibited the most favorable spectrum of activity.