It was shown previously that α-terpineol is the cholagogic principle in cardamom. Two monoterpenoid glucoside, (±)-α-terpineol-2, 3, 4, 6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (TAG) and (±)-α-terpineol-β-D-O-glucopyranoside (TG), were synthesized in order to develop new drugs whose structures are based on those of natural products. The cholagogic properties of these compounds were investigated in this study. TG administered by the oral and intraduodendal routes in rats showed a significant cholagogic effect, while TAG showed little effect. The effect of TG was to increase both the fluid weight and the solid weight of bile. The total bile acid content was significantly increased 30 min after administration of TG as compared to that of untreated rats. An analysis of bile acid contents in the bile showed that ursodeoxycholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid, which are known to have a dissolving effect on gallstones, were increased by TG. The analysis of biliary lipids also demonstrated that biliary cholesterol was decreased by TG. These results raise the possibility that TG may be useful as a dissolving agent for gallstones. In an acute toxicity test, the LD₅₀ value for TG was about one-fourth of the value for (±)-α-terpineol, and when their molecular weights are taken into consideration, the toxicity of TG was much lower than that of (±)-α-terpineol. Since TG not only has a cholagogic effect and increases solid components of bile but also has low toxicity, it may be clinically useful as a cholagogic agent.