Cholane is a triterpene which can exist as either of two stereoisomers, 5α-cholane and 5β-cholane.
Its name is derived from Greek: χολή (chole) meaning 'bile' in reference to its original discovery from the bile of the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana).
[2] The compound itself has no known uses.
However, various functionalized analogues are produced by plants and animals, typically in the form of sterols, steroids and bile acids (e.g. cholic acid).