Stems of Cassia alata have been shown to contain 1,5,7-trihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone (alatinone). This is a hitherto unreported compound. The other compounds isolated were dalbergin, 2,6-dimethoxybenzoquinone, santal, luteolin, B-sitosterol and /?-sitosteryl-/?-D-glucoside.