ABSTRACT
Abstract Methanolic extracts of the Brazilian endemic ascidian Eudistoma vannamei have been extensively studied for their cytotoxic activity against several human cancer cell lines. Previous work reported the occurrence of purine derivatives and staurosporine alkaloids as the major nitrogen-containing compounds. In this study, we report the occurrence of three pyrimidine alkaloids in addition to cholesterol, sitosterol and stigmasterol.
ABSTRACT
Chemical investigation on a colonial marine tunicate, Didemnum sp. led to the isolation of a series of indole alkaloids including a new (1) and two known metabolites (2-3). Based on the spectroscopic analysis including 1D and 2D NMR along with MS spectra, the structure of 1 (16-epi-18-acetyl herdmanine D) was elucidated as a new amino acid derivative. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by comparison of specific rotation with the known compound. The structures of compounds 2 and 3 were also identified as bromoindole containing compounds N-(6-bromo-1H-indole-3-carbonyl)-L-arginine and (6-bromo-1H-indol-3-yl) oxoacetamide, respectively, based on 1H and 13C NMR data, MS data and specific rotation value. Their pharmacological potentials as antibacterial agents and FXR antagonists were investigated, but no significant activity was found. However, the structural similarity of compound 1 to compound 4 suggested the antiinflammatory potential of compound 1.