Two new compounds, an androstane steroid, kurchinicin(1,4-dien-11 alph
a,17 beta-dihydroxy-3-oxoandrostane) [1], and a base of the conanine s
eries, kurchinine (11 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-1,4,20-conacriene) [2], have
been isolated along with a known compound, holadyson (1,4-dien-11 alp
ha,20 alpha-dihydroxy-18,20-oxido-3-oxopregnane) [3], from the bark of
Holarrhena pubescens. Their structures have been established through
spectroscopic studies.