Aim: Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays a key role in hepatic fibrosis and chronic liver diseases.In this study, we investigate if Poria cocos (a commonly used Chinese herb with anti-inflammatory activities) inhibits the NF-κB-related activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).Methods: Two HSC lines, HSC-T6 (rat) and LX-2 (human), were used.These cells were pretreated with different subfractions extracted from P cocos and then stimulated with TNF-α.