Abstract: OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rd on proliferation and expression of transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) in human mesangial cells (HMC) induced by high glucose. METHODS Seven groups were set up including normal-sugar group(NG), high glucose group(HG), high glucose plus ginsenoside Rd of five different dosage(6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 μg·mL^-1) groups. After the cells treated respectively for 24, 48, 72 h, cell proliferation was measured by MTT. Expression of TGF-β1 was detected by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of TGF-β1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS Compared with those in the NG, HMC which cultured in high glucose had higher levels of TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 mRNA. Ginsenoside Rd of different dosage inhibited secretion of TGF-β1 of HMC in HG, dosage of 12.5, 25, 50, 10 μg·mL^-1 had the strongest effect( P <0.05). It also reduced TGF-β1 mRNA expression. CONCLUSION Ginsenoside Rd can reduce TGF-β1 mRNA expression and secretion of TGF-β1 protein quantity of HMC which is cultured in high glucose conditions.