Three New Pseudodistomins, Piperidine Alkaloids from the Ascidian <i>Pseudodistoma</i> <i>megalarva</i>

Abstract

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the MeOH-CH2Cl2 extract of the Micronesian ascidian Pseudodistoma megalarva yielded three new piperidine alkaloids, pseudodistomins D-F (3-5) and the previously reported pseudodistomins B and C (1 and 2). The structure and stereochemistry of these compounds were established by interpretation of spectral data. Pseudodistomins B-F were found to be active in a cell-based assay for DNA damage induction, but the activity was due to an alternative mechanism.