Antidiabetic agent. Potent and selective partial agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), a nuclear receptor regulating lipid and glucose metabolism. Has nanomolar binding affinity to PPARgamma and micromolar binding to the isotypes PPARalpha and PPARbeta/delta. Glucose-lowering agent. Improves insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance and blood lipid variables without increase of fat storage or hepatoxicity. Shows potent PPARgamma-dependent anti-inflammatory activity. Potent NF-kappaB activation inhibitor by the suppression of IkappaBalpha degradation, p65 nuclear translocation and DNA-binding activity. Antimicrobial agent.