Hydroxypyruvic acid is an intermediate in the metabolism of glycine, serine, and threonine. It is a substrate for serine-pyruvate aminotransferase and glyoxylate reductase/hydroxypyruvate reductase.
Schisantherin A, B, C, and D show good effect in lowering the serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase level of the patients suffering from chronic virus hepatitis.