A new natural phenylpropanoid, methyl 2, 4-dimethoxy-5-hydoxycinnamate (I-B), was usolated from the root of Xanthoxylum piperitum DC., in addition to l-sesamin, aesculetin dimethyl ether, skimmianine, γ-fagarine, menisperine, magnoflorine, and laurifoline. The structure of I-B was confirmed on the basis of spectral and chemical evidences, and was established by its derivation from aesculin.
