Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of apigenin on expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α in rats with hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods Forty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operation(A), ischemia-reperfusion(B), apigenin groups (10 mg/kg in C group, 20 mg/kg in D group). The animal model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion was established. Hepatic pathologic chang was studied by HE staining. Blood sample was used to detect the content of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, ALT and AST. Results Compared with B group , hepatic pathologic change alleviated. Plasma IL-1β, TNF-α, ALT and AST in C group was higher than D group, but predominantly lower than IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, ALT, AST in B group(all P<0.01). ALT positively correlated with IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α(r=0.56, 0.64, 0.57, all P<0.01). AST positively correlated with IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α(r=0.61, 0.58, 0.63, all P<0.01). Conclusion Apigenin attenuates hepatic ischemic-reperfusion injury in rats by down-regulating serum IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α.