Dual PPARα/γ agonist, and potent inhibitor of melanogenesis by inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase activity (IC50 value 8.19 μM). MHY908 more potently activated PPARα and PPARγ than fenofibrate and rosiglitazone, respectively, and enhanced the binding and transcriptional activity of PPARα and -γ in AC2F cells. It reduced serum glucose, triglyceride, and insulin levels, however increased adiponectin levels without body weight gain. In addition, MHY 908 significantly improved hepatic steatosis by enhancing CPT-1 levels. Remarkably, MHY-908 reduced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, and subsequently reduced insulin resistance.