The molecule is a steroid glycoside isolated from the roots of Cynanchum auriculatum and has been shown to exhibit cytotoxicity against human tumour cell lines. It has a role as a metabolite and an antineoplastic agent. It is a 17beta-hydroxy steroid, a cinnamate ester, a steroid ester, a deoxy oligosaccharide derivative, a methyl ketone, a steroid saponin and a tertiary alpha-hydroxy ketone. It derives from a hydride of a pregnane.
[(3S,8S,9R,10R,12R,13S,14R,17S)-17-acetyl-8,14,17-trihydroxy-3-[(2R,4S,5R,6R)-5-[(2S,4S,5R,6S)-5-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-4-methoxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-10,13-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,7,9,11,12,15,16-decahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-12-yl] (E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoate