Abstract: OBJECTIVE To study the effect of Ganning formula on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatic stellate cells(HSC-LX2). METHODS Forty SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, 10 in each group. The blank control group and the TGF-β1 group were given normal saline gavage, and the TGF-β1+Ganning formula group and Ganning formula group were given gavage(7 mL·kg^-1·d^-1). HSC-LX2 was divided into blank control group, TGF-β1 group, TGF-β1+Ganning formula group and Ganning formula group. The corresponding rat serum was added to the corresponding groups according to the data for the culture and modeling of HSC-LX2. The proliferation of HSC-LX2 cells in each group was detected by CCK8. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle and apoptosis of HSC-LX2 cells in each group. The mRNA and protein expressions of α-SMA, Samd2, Samd3, Samd4 and Samd7 were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS The results of CCK8 showed that the proliferation of HSC-LX2 was inhibited in the serum group containing Ganning formula. The results of flow cytometry showed that the cycle of HSC-LX2 in the G0/G1 phase of the serum group containing Ganning formula was stagnated and cell apoptosis was promoted. qRT-PCR and Western blotting results showed that the mRNA and protein expressions of α-SMA, Samd2, Samd3 and Samd4 were inhibited and the mRNA and protein expressions of Samd7 were enhanced. CONCLUSION Ganning formula can inhibit the proliferation of HSC-LX2 and promote the apoptosis of HSC-LX2, which may be related to the regulation of TGF-β1/Samd signaling pathway.