A method of inhibiting glycolysis in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition including a thiazolidinedione derivative to the subject is described. The thiazolidinedione derivatives are effective energy restriction mimetic agents, and can therefore be used to treat or prevent cancer in a subject, treat metabolic disorder, or increase the longevity of a subject. Various thiazolidinedione derivatives are also suitable for activating adenosine phosphate-activated protein kinase or inhibiting IL-6 expression.