Eudistomidins H-K, new β-carboline alkaloids from the Okinawan marine tunicate Eudistoma glaucus

Four new beta-carboline alkaloids, eudistomidins H-K (1-4), were isolated from an Okinawan marine tunicate Eudistoma glaucus and the structures of 1-4 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Eudistomidins H (1) and I (2) were new beta-carboline alkaloids possessing a unique fused-tetracyclic ring system consisting of a tetrahydro beta-carboline ring and a hexahydropyrimidine ring. Eudistomidin J (3) showed relatively potent cytotoxicity against murine leukemia cells P388 and L1210, and human epidermoid carcinoma cells KB in vitro. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.