Background: Pharmacological inhibition of the NF-κB activity enhances hepatic stellate cell apoptosis and reverses experimental fibrosis. However, there is no report on the effects of NF-κB knockdown on apoptosis and extracellular matrix secretion in hepatic stellate cells. The aim of the present study is to explore the effects of siRNA targetting NF-κB on the apoptosis and extracellular matrix production in hepatic stellate cells. Methods: The immortalised hepatic stellate cell line HSC-T6 was transfected with siRNA; 72. h later, cells were stimulated by LPS for 1. h; these cells were collected for further use. Hepatic stellate cell apoptosis was determined by fluorescence activated cell sorter analysis, TUNEL assay and caspase-3 activity measurement. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 activity was evaluated with Gelatin zymography. The quantities of mRNA transcriptions of NF-κB p65, type I collagen, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1, α-smooth muscle actin and transforming growth factor beta 1 and anti-apoptotic protein A1 were evaluated with quantitative reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: siRNA targetting NF-κB p65 effectively abrogated the expression of NF-κB p65 in hepatic stellate cells; decreased anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and the mRNA transcription of hepatic type I collagen, α-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor beta 1, A1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1; increased matrix metalloproteinase 2 activity and promoted hepatic stellate cell apoptosis. Conclusion: NF-κB knockdown enhances hepatic stellate cell apoptosis and attenuates extracellular matrix production. © 2010 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l.