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.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Indole Alkaloids ; Urochordata*

The chemical investigation of the 90% EtOH extract from Cicadidae Periostracum led to the isolation and identification of seven known N-acetyldopamine dimers (1-7). These compounds were identified by comparing mass spectrometry data and NMR spectroscopic data with those previously reported. In this study, complete interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR data of 1 and 2 were reported for the first time. In addition, compounds 3 and 4 were isolated from this material for the first time. All isolates were obtained as racemic mixtures, as confirmed by chiral HPLC. Furthermore, we evaluated the neuroprotective activities of compounds 1–7 and found that compounds 1, 5, and 6 significantly attenuated rotenone-induced death of SH-SY5Yneuroblastoma cells at a concentration of 100 μM. Parallel to this result, compounds 3 and 6 displayed antioxidant effects in the cytoplasm, as determined by CM-H2DCFDA fluorescence intensity, while compounds 1 and 5 showed antioxidant effects in the mitochondria, as assessed by MitoSox fluorescence intensity. Overall, these results suggest that some of these compounds protect neuroblastoma cells by ameliorating the release of reactive oxygen species. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which these compounds exhibit antioxidant and neuroprotective actions.

The chemical investigation of the 90% EtOH extract from Cicadidae Periostracum led to the isolation and identification of seven known N-acetyldopamine dimers (1-7). These compounds were identified by comparing mass spectrometry data and NMR spectroscopic data with those previously reported. In this study, complete interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR data of 1 and 2 were reported for the first time. In addition, compounds 3 and 4 were isolated from this material for the first time. All isolates were obtained as racemic mixtures, as confirmed by chiral HPLC. Furthermore, we evaluated the neuroprotective activities of compounds 1–7 and found that compounds 1, 5, and 6 significantly attenuated rotenone-induced death of SH-SY5Yneuroblastoma cells at a concentration of 100 μM. Parallel to this result, compounds 3 and 6 displayed antioxidant effects in the cytoplasm, as determined by CM-H2DCFDA fluorescence intensity, while compounds 1 and 5 showed antioxidant effects in the mitochondria, as assessed by MitoSox fluorescence intensity. Overall, these results suggest that some of these compounds protect neuroblastoma cells by ameliorating the release of reactive oxygen species. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which these compounds exhibit antioxidant and neuroprotective actions.