Identification of indirubin and monobromoindirubins in Murex brandaris

Abstract For the first time, indirubin, 6-bromoindirubin and 6′-bromoindirubin are detected in hypobranchial glands, removed from Murex brandaris molluscs. Liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector is used to analyse dimethyl sulfoxide extracts of brandaris molluscs, which were collected from the coastline of Thera island, Greece. The three aforementioned compounds are detected in small amounts compared to 6,6′-dibromoindigotin and 6,6′-dibromoindirubin, which correspond to very high chromatographic peaks. Finally, small amounts of indigotin and 6-bromoindigotin are detected in the molluscan extracts.