A new triterpenoid, esculentagenin, and its glycoside, esculentoside M, were isolated from the roots of Phytolacca esculenta and characterized as 11-oxo-3-O-methyloleanata-12-en-2 beta,3 beta,23-trihydroxy-28-oic acid and 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1----4)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl]-28-O-beta-D- glucopyranosyl-11-oxo-30-methyloleanate-12-en-2 beta,3 beta,23-trihydroxy-28-oic acid by spectral and chemical evidence.