The 5' -AMP-activated protein kinase AMPK functions as a master switch to maintain cellular and whole-body energy homeostasis and abnormal activity profiles of AMPK may cause pathological disorders. The present invention relates to a series of compounds (I) based on a pyrrolo[2, 3-c]pyridine and a thieno[2, 3- c]pyridine scaffold as AMPK inhibitors. In particular, the present invention relates to the synthesis of such compounds and the medical use of such compounds.