Objective: To observe the inhibitory effect of curcumin on hepatic stellate cell(HSC)-T6 cell proliferation and transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) mRNA expression induced by oxidative stress. Method: The proliferation of HSC-T6 cell was examined by MTT colorimetry. The methods of thiobarbituric acid

xanthine oxidase and digestion were respectively applied to determine the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)

superoxide dismutase(SOD) and hydroxy proline(HyP) of culture mediums. The mRNA expression of TGF-β1 by HSC was determined by RT-PCR. Result: HSC cell proliferation was remarkably increased in the presence of H2O2(P<0.01)

the content of MDA and HyP of HSC in culture mediums was remarkably increased

and SOD activity was decreased(P<0.01). Curcumin could concentration-dependently inhibit HSC-T6 cell proliferation. After the intervention of different content curcumin

the content of MDA and HyP was remarkably decreased

SOD activity was increased

especially for those treated by 50

100 μmol ·L-1of curcumin(P<0.01).Moreover

TGF-β1 mRNA expression of HSC was remarkably increased induced by H2O2(P<0.001). After the intervention of different concentration of curcumin

TGF-β1 mRNA expression level was decreased(P<0.01). Conclusion: All the results indicated curcumin could remarkably inhibit HSC-T6 cell proliferation and TGF-β1 mRNA expression induced by oxidative stress suggesting that curcumin

as an antioxidative stress factor

may have a potential therapeutic value for liver fibrosis.