The invention relates to compounds that are direct activators of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) and their use in the treatment of disorders regulated by activation of AMPK. For instance, compounds according to the invention are useful for the treatment of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, liver disease, hepatic steatosis, non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non alcoholic steato-hepatitis (NASH), liver fibrosis, dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, retinopathies or neuropathies.
