In the present study a rat model of oval cellmediated liver regeneration was constructed to examine the molecular mechanisms of matrine in oval cellmediated liver regeneration and the effects of matrine on hepatic function and the expression of OV6 protein and recombination signal sequencebinding protein Jkappa (RBPJkappa) and HES1 mRNA. A total of 48 Sprague Dawley rats were equally and randomly assigned to two groups. The model group underwent oval cellmediated liver regeneration, whereas the matrine group underwent oval cellmediated liver regeneration and received oral gavage of matrine. Expression of OV6 protein was tested by immunohistochemistry and RBPJkappa and HES1 mRNA expression was determined by reversetranscription polymerase chain reaction. Recovery of hepatic function was faster in the matrine group compared with the model (P<0.05). OV6 protein, RBPJkappa and HES1 mRNA expression levels were lower in the matrine than the model group (P<0.05). Matrine promotes oval cellmediated liver regeneration through downregulation of the RBPJkappaHES1 signaling pathway.