It is a major active constituent of the seed oil of Croton tiglium. It has been used as a tumour promoting agent for skin carcinogenesis in rodents and is associated with increased cell proliferation of malignant cells. However its function is controversial since a decrease in cell proliferation has also been observed in several cancer cell types. It has a role as a protein kinase C agonist, an antineoplastic agent, a reactive oxygen species generator, a plant metabolite, a mitogen, a carcinogenic agent and an apoptosis inducer. It is an acetate ester, a tetradecanoate ester, a diester, a tertiary alpha-hydroxy ketone and a phorbol ester.