Abstract: This paper reviewed the structural characteristics of xanthones isolated from Swertia species and its spectral features including UV,IR,NMR and MS.By mainly analyzing the NMR data,a preliminary conclusion can be drawn that the substitution type of xanthones is determined by the chemical shift of the hydroxyl group and carbonyl group,as its position and configuration of the connection can be decided by chemical shift together with coupling constants of the sugar anomeric protons.It provided a theoretical basis for the further analysis of the structure and spectrum data ownership of xanthones.

Key words: Swertia, xanthones, structural identification, spectral characteristics