Three new xanthones from the roots of Polygala japonica Houtt.

Three new xanthones, 1,3-dihydroxy-2,5,6,7-tetramethoxyxanthone (1), 3-hydroxy-1,2,5,6,7-pentamethoxyxanthone (2), and 3,8-dihydroxy-1,2,6-trimethoxyxanthone (3), together with two known compounds were isolated from the roots of Polygala japonica Houtt. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data.