PPAR-γ Agonistic Metabolites from the Ascidian <i>Herdmania momus</i>

Abstract

Seven new amino acid derivatives (1–4 and 6–8) were isolated from MeOH extracts of the marine ascidian Herdmania momus. Planar structures were established on the basis of NMR, IR, and MS spectroscopic analyses. Absolute configurations of these compounds were derived from specific rotation and CD analysis. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ agonistic activities of the compounds were investigated due to the similarity of the structural motif to that of the antidiabetic drug rosiglitazone. Analogues with indoleglyoxyl moieties (5, 6, and 8) showed significant PPAR-γ activation in Ac2F rat liver cells.