AIM: To observe the effect of protocatechuic aldchyde on the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS: Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Then normal and fibrotic drug sera were extracted from rats. The effects of protocatechuic aldchyde, raw Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and drug sera of Salvia miltiorrhiza on HSC growth were determined by CCK-8. The protocatechuic aldehyde was separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in a Alltima C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5μm) with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-4% glacial acetic acid solution (gradient elution) at the wavelength of 281 nm. RESULTS: Protocatechuic aldehyde, raw Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and drug sera of Salvia miltiorrhiza were found to have inhibitory effects on proliferation of rat HSCs. Raw Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza had a stronger inhibitory effect than the drug sera. The fibrotic drug sera showed a higher suppressive effect than the normal drug sera (P <0.05). Protocatechuic aldehyde was found in crude materials of both Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and its corresponding drug sera. The average recovery (n = 6) was 110.5% for raw Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge, 102% for normal drug sera and 105.2% for fibrotic drug sera. The relative standard devitation (RSD) was 0.37%, 1.96% and 1.51%, respectively (n = 6). The contents of protocatechuic aldehyde were 0.22%, 0.15% and 0.19%, respectively (n = 6) (P<0.05). The RSD was 0.33%, 0.75% and 1.24% (n = 6) for raw material of Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza, normal drug sera and fibrotic drug sera, respectively. The samples were stable for 6 d. CONCLUSION: Protocatechuic aldehyde can inhibit the growth of HSCs. HPLC is suitable for the determination of virtual bioactive components of Chinese herbal medicines in vitro. AIM: To observe the effect of protocatechuic aldchyde on the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS: Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Then normal and fibrotic drug sera were extracted from rats. The effects of protocatechuic Aldchyde, raw Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and drug sera of Salvia miltiorrhiza on HSC growth were determined by CCK-8. The protocatechuic aldehyde was separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in a Alltima C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5μm) with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-4% glacial acetic acid solution (gradient elution) at the wavelength of 281 nm. RESULTS: Protocatechuic aldehyde, raw Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and drug sera of Salvia miltiorrhiza were found to have inhibitory effects on proliferation of rat HSCs. Raw Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza had a higher inhibitory effect than the drug sera. The fibrotic drug sera showed a higher suppressive effect than the normal drug sera (P <0.05). Protoc Atechuic aldehyde was found in crude materials of both Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and its corresponding drug sera. The average recovery (n = 6) was 110.5% for raw Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge, 102% for normal drug sera and 105.2% for fibrotic drug sera. The The relative standard devitation (RSD) was 0.37%, 1.96% and 1.51%, respectively (n = 6). The contents of protocatechuic aldehyde were 0.22%, 0.15% and 0.19%, respectively (n = 6) (P<0.05). The RSD was 0.33%, 0.75% and 1.24% (n = 6) for raw material of Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza, normal drug sera and fibrotic drug sera, respectively. The samples were stable for 6 d. CONCLUSION: Protocatechuic aldehyde can inhibit the growth Of HSCs. HPLC is suitable for the determination of virtual bioactive components of Chinese herbal medicines in vitro.