Compounds are provided for use in treating polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and in associated methods that include a method of modulating (e.g., activating) Liver kinase B1 (LKBI); and a method of modulating (e.g., decreasing activity) mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). The methods may include introducing the compound in a therapeutically effective amount to a subject having PKD. The methods may include introducing the compound in a therapeutically effective amount to a subject having Autosomal Dominant PKD. The compounds can be used in methods of treating a disease modulated by a mTOR pathway, which can include introducing the compound in a therapeutically effective amount to a subject having the disease modulated by the mTOR pathway. The disease modulated by mTOR is selected from the group consisting of multiple types of cancer, leukemia, kidney disease, obesity, neuro disorders and alcohol-related chronic diseases.