A new xanthone derivative was isolated together with other 13 known constituents from a Chinese natural medicine, Swertia pseudochinensis HARA. Their structures were determined based on the spectral and chemical evidences. Furthermore, respective hexane, ethyl acetate, 1-BuOH, MeOH and water extracts of S. pseudochinensis, and purified compounds were respectively evaluated for their hepatoprotective activities against hepatocyte injury induced by CCl 4 . All the extracts and isolated compounds exhibited significant hepatoprotective activities at a dose showing no hepatoxicity.