Three 2-Methylanthraquinone glycosides, in addition to the known compounds alizarin, lucidin-¦Ø-ethyl ether, lucidin primeveroside and the iridoid asperuloside were isolated from the dried roots of Rubia tinctorum. 

The first three compounds were isolated for the first time from this species. The structures were established as 1-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethylanthraquinone 3-glucoside, 2-hydroxymethylanthraquinone 3-glucoside and 3,8-dihdroxy-2-hydroxymethylanthraquinone 3-glucoside.