3beta,6beta-dihydroxyolean-12-en-27-oic acid: a cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing oleanane triterpenoid from the rhizome of Astilbe chinensis.

3beta,6beta-dihydroxyolean-12-en-27-oic acid, C(30)H(48)O(4), a cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing oleanane triterpenoid, which was isolated from the rhizome of Astilbe chinensis, consists of a linear array of five fused six-membered rings. The central ring has a slightly distorted half-chair conformation, while the four outer rings adopt chair conformations. Two hydroxy groups and one carboxy group serve simultaneously as hydrogen-bond donors and acceptors, forming molecular chains.