1,5,8-Trihydroxy-3-methoxy-9H-xanthen-9-one is defined as important chemotaxonomic marker of Swertia genus. Also, it exhibits notable hepatoprotective activities against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced HepG2 cell damage, alleviates the levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonic dialdehyde.