From the hexane fraction of the methanol-​chloroform (1:1) ext. of the dried roots of Rubia cordifolia L., three new and five known triterpenoidal compds. were isolated and identified. The new triterpenes are 3β-​acetoxyoleanane-​12-​one (I)​, 3β,​13β,​15α-​trihydroxyoleanane-​12-​one (II) and 3β,​19α-​dihydroxyarbor-​9(11)​-​ene (III)​. The known triterpenes are 3β-​acetoxyoleanane-​13β-​ol-​12-​one, 3β-​acetoxyoleanane-​13β,​15α-​dihydroxyoleanane-​12-​one, oleanolic acid and its acetate, and hederagenin. The identification of the isolated compds. was carried out using different phys., chem. and spectral methods of anal. The cytotoxic activity of some of the isolated compds. was studied.