Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) is a crucial factor in the development of insulin resistance associated with type II diabetes. We previously found that 4-O-carboxymethyl ascochlorin, a derivative of ascochlorin, ameliorates diabetes and activates PPAR-gamma. Here, we compared the relationship between the amelioration of type II diabetes in db/db mice lacking leptin receptor, and PPAR-gamma activation by 4-O-carboxymethyl-ascochlorin, as well as by 4-O-methyl-ascochlorin, a derivative that does not activate PPAR-gamma. Administration of these compounds significantly reduces blood glucose in a dose-dependent manner, whereas blood cholesterol is significantly elevated in 4-O-carboxymethyl-ascochlorin-treated mice but is significantly decreased in 4-O-methyl-ascochlorin-treated mice. Pioglitazone, a potent PPAR-gamma agonist with a thiazolidinedione structure, reduces glucose but elevates cholesterol blood levels. These results suggest that ascochlorin derivatives ameliorate diabetes through a mechanism that is probably independent of PPAR-gamma activation, although PPAR-gamma activation could be partially involved in the ameliorative effect in certain derivatives.