This invention discloses small molecule inhibitors of human 12-lipoxygenase (12-hLO). 12-lipoxygenase expression, activation, and lipid metabolites have been implicated in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. The development of 12-hLO inhibitors may be a potent intracellular approach to decreasing the ability of platelets to form large clots in response to vessel injury or activation of the coagulation pathway. Thus, 12-hLO inhibition has the potential to attenuate platelet-mediated clot formation caused by diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease and significantly decrease the occurrence of myocardial infarction and death. Moreover, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are serious disorders that can lead to major complications and reduced lifespan. An unmet medical need is to identify new ways to protect beta cells in these metabolic disorders. A selective 12-hLO inhibitor could provide a new therapeutic approach to prevent or treat either form of diabetes.