Objective To explore the effect of microRNA-29b (miR-29b ) in the process of hepatic fibrosis and its influence on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells. Methods The experimental rats were divided into two groups, including a control group and a model group, with 10 cases in each group. The rats in the model group were injected with 60% 3 ml/kg CCl4 by abdominal approach, and those in the the control group were injected with the same amount of normal saline. Liver fibrosis was observed in the control group and the model group. The expressions of miR-29b , TGFB1 and SAMD3 genes, the expressions of TGF-β1 and SAMD3 proteins were detected in the liver tissue. Hepatic stellate cells HSC-T6 and LX-2 were cultured in vitro and transfected with miR-29b siRNA, and the effect of miR-29b on proliferation and apoptosis of HSC-T6 and LX-2 cells, and on the expressions of TGF-β1 and SAMD3 were detected. Results Compared with the control group, the proportion of myocardial fibers increased in the model group, and with the prolongation of time that increased gradually in the 6th and 12th weeks (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the relative expression of miR-29b gene in the model group decreased, and decreased gradually with the prolongation of time (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the relative expressions of TGFB1 and SAMD3 genes and proteins increased in the model group, and gradually increased with the prolongation of time (P < 0.05). The G1-phase cell percentage of HSC-T6 and LX-2 cells in the miR-29b transfection group was higher than that in the control group and the negative transfection group, and S-phase cell ratio was lower than that in the control group and the negative transfection group (P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate of HSC-T6 and LX-2 cells in the miR-29b transfection group was higher than that in the control group and the negative transfection group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group and the negative transfection group, the relative expression of TGFB1 and SAMD3 mRNAs and proteins in HSC-T6 and LX-2 cells increased, and the relative expression of miR-29b mRNA decreased in the miR-29b transfection group (P < 0.05). Conclusions The expression of miR-29b decreases in the process of hepatic fibrosis, and miR-29b can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells.