Abstract Compound 1 (IC 50= 35.2±7.2 μM), a moderate FXR antagonist was discovered via high-throughput screening. Structure–activity relationship studies indicated that the shape and the lipophilicity of the substituents of the aromatic ring affect the activity dramatically, increasing the shape and the lipophilicity of the substituents of the aromatic ring enhances the potency of FXR antagonists. Especially, when the OH at C2 position of the aromatic ...