The molecule is a quassinoid that is picras-3-ene substituted by hydroxy groups at positions 1, 11, 12, 15 and 21 and oxo groups at positions 2 and 16. Isolated from the ethanol extract of the stem of Brucea mollis, it exhibits cytotoxic activity. It has a role as a plant metabolite and an antineoplastic agent. It is a delta-lactone, an enone, a pentol, an organic heterotetracyclic compound, a quassinoid and a secondary alpha-hydroxy ketone. It derives from a hydride of a picrasane.
(1R,2S,3S,7S,9R,12R,13S,14S,15R,16R,17S)-3,12,15,16-tetrahydroxy-14-(hydroxymethyl)-2,6,17-trimethyl-10-oxatetracyclo[7.7.1.02,7.013,17]heptadec-5-ene-4,11-dione