Synthesis 2015; 47(13): 1827-1837
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1380415
short review
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Bis(indolyl)methane Alkaloids: Isolation, Bioactivity, and Syntheses

P. J. Praveen
a   CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India
b   CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography Regional Centre, Kochi 682 018, India   Email: param@nio.org
,
P. S. Parameswaran*
b   CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography Regional Centre, Kochi 682 018, India   Email: param@nio.org
,
M. S. Majik*
c   Department of Chemistry, Goa University, Goa 403 206, India   Email: majikms@gmail.com
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 30 January 2015

Accepted after revision: 16 April 2015

Publication Date:
19 May 2015 (online)


Abstract

Bis(indolyl)methane (BIM) alkaloids are an important group of bioactive natural products predominantly found in marine organisms. Thus, compounds like arsindoline A and B, vibrindole A, arundine, and trisindoline are found in marine bacteria, while the related compound, streptindole is obtained from Streptococcus faecium IB 37, found in human feces. In recent years, these molecules, which display a wide range of biological properties (antibacterial, antiviral, anti-oxidant, neurotoxic activity etc.), have attracted the attention of several synthetic and natural product chemists. This review lists selected bis(indolyl)methane analogues reported from different natural sources to date, together with their biological properties and synthesis.

1 Introduction

2 Occurrence, Isolation, Structure Elucidation, and Biological Activity

3 Synthetic Approaches towards Bis(indolyl)methanes

4 Conclusions