Novel natural compounds endowed with sound bioactivities are currently the utmost need as leads toward drug discovery. We have isolated a novel iridoid glycoside, tinctoroid, from the roots of a prominent dye-yielding plant, Morinda tinctoria (Linn.) Roxb. Structural characterization was carried out employing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis). The compound was further evaluated for its therapeutic applicability. Antioxidant potential was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging assay and reducing power analysis. Moreover, the glycoside was investigated to elucidate its potential for non-specific and site-specific deoxyribose degradation. Proficiency in inhibiting lipid peroxidation was adjudged using thiobarbituric (TBA) assay on mice liver homogenate. Tinctoroid was found to exhibit efficacy in protecting DNA from oxidative injury inflicted by H 2O 2. The compound demonstrated moderate cytotoxicity in liver carcinoma (Hep3B) cells. In addition, it was found to be non-toxic in Swiss Albino mice. The compound isolated from genus Morinda, one of the pioneer hubs of therapeutic natural products, makes tinctoroid a viable option. Furthermore, efficacy of the compound in the aforesaid assays, asserts its bioactivity and subsequently its importance as a potent therapeutic. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.