An inhibitor of dihydroceramide desaturase (IC50 = 2.32 μM); promotes the generation of ROS, degradation of MCL-1, and cleavage of PKCδ; selectively activates RARγ at 5-20 μM; inhibits the growth of Caov-3, OVCAR-3, and SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cells (IC50s = 3.7, 6.9, and 8.2 μM, respectively); increases activity of SPT by 1.75-fold and induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in BMEC cells (IC50 = 2.4 μM); prevents lipid-induced reductions in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in isolated rat soleus muscle; reduces liver and soleus muscle neutral lipid content and inhibits high-fat diet-induced increases in dihydroceramide desaturase transcription at 10 mg/ml,,