The molecule is a pentacyclic triterpenoid with formula C30H44O5, originally isolated from the bark of Tripterygium wilfordii. It has a role as a plant metabolite. It is a pentacyclic triterpenoid, a hydroxy monocarboxylic acid, an enone, a cyclic terpene ketone, an enol and an aliphatic aldehyde. It derives from a hydride of a friedelane.
(2R,4aS,6aR,6aR,6bS,8aR,12aS,14aS,14bR)-8a-formyl-10-hydroxy-2,4a,6a,6a,9,14a-hexamethyl-11-oxo-3,4,5,6,6b,7,8,12,12a,13,14,14b-dodecahydro-1H-picene-2-carboxylic acid