ObjectiveTo explore the effect of carbamazepine (CBZ) on liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy (PH) in rats. MethodsSixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into CBZ group and control group, thirty rats in every group, all the rats were underwent 70% hepatectomy. In the CBZ group, all the rats were feed with 5% CBZ at a dose 250 mg/kg at 2 hours before PH, everyday after PH, and the last administration was at 2 hours before sacrifice. In the control group, all the rats were feed with the same quantitative and frequency dimethyl sulfoxide as 5% CBZ of the CBZ group. On day 1 before PH and on day 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 after PH, the liver to body weight ratio, ALT, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and Ki-67 of each group were observed. Results①On day 2, 3, 5 after PH, the liver to body weight ratios of the CBZ group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). On the other time point, there was no significant difference of the liver to body weight ratio between two groups (P > 0.05).②On all the time point, there was no significant difference of the serum ALT level between two groups (P > 0.05).③On day 1, 2, 3 after PH, the serum levels of HGF in the CBZ group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). On the other time point, there was no significant difference of the serum HGF level between two groups (P > 0.05).④On day 2 after PH, the expression of Ki-67 in the CBZ group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). On the other time point, there was no significant difference of the expression of Ki-67 between two groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionThe results suggest that administration of CBZ has a promotive effect on liver regeneration following PH in rats and this effect might be through promotion of hepatocyte proliferation.