A highly regiospecific synthesis and crystal structure of (4b RS,9b RS)-5-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-7,7-dimethyl-4b,9b-dihydroxy-4b,5,6,7,8,9b-hexahydroindeno[1,2- b]indole-9,10-dione is reported. It was tested in vitro against six human tumour cell lines and two nontumourogenic cell lines. Their in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis is also reported. In general, it was found to possess a marginal activity.