Abstract: Objective To investigate the influence of glycyrrhiza(Gc34) on the invasion and proliferation of Hep G-2 cell and its mechanism. Methods Hep G-2 cells were divided into control group and Gc34 group. Hep G-2 cells were treated with 12. 5,25. 0,50. 0 mg/L Gc34 and 0. 5% alcohol. Cell invasion assay was used to detect the invasion of Hep G-2 cell.The proliferation of Hep G-2 cell was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT). Matrix metalloproteinase 2,9,GSH/GSSG,MDA and SOD of Hep G-2 cell supernatant were measured. Results The nucleus of Hep G-2 cell under light microscope was abnormal with an increase in the ratio of nucleus to cytoplasm and nucleus fission,nucleus anachromasis,meganucleus,binucleus,polynucleus. Inhibition of Gc34 on the proliferation of Hep G-2 cell was time-dependent and concentration-dependent(P < 0. 01). The invasive ability,content of MMP-2,9,GSH/GSSG,SOD of Hep G-2 cell supernatant in Gc34 group was 45 ±7,(40. 3 ±6. 2) mg/L,(42. 7 ±5. 6) mg/L,4. 2 ±0. 8,(67. 2 ±7. 9) U/(mg·L),respectively,which were significantly lower than those in the control group(P < 0. 01). The content of MDA of Hep G-2 cell supernatant in Gc34 group was(45. 4 ±8. 5) mmol/g which was predominantly higher than that in control group(P < 0. 01). The invasion positively correlated with MMP-2,MMP-9(r=0. 65,0. 72,P < 0. 01). The proliferation positively correlated with GSH/GSSG,SOD(r=0. 55,0. 64,P < 0. 01),negatively correlated with MDA(r=- 0. 58,P < 0. 01). Conclusion Gc34 can inhibit the invasion of Hep G-2 cell by down-regulating MMP-2,9 and attenuate the proliferation by down-regulating GSH/GSSG,SOD and up-regulating MDA.