The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a major event during hepatic fibrogenesis. Restoration of intracellular lipid droplet (LD) formation turns the activated HSC back to a quiescent state. Our previous studies have shown that curcumin suppresses HSC activation through increasing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, gamma (PPAR gamma) and 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activities. This study aims at evaluating the effect of curcumin on lipid accumulation in HSCs and hepatocytes, and further elucidating the underlying mechanisms. Now we showed that curcumin increased LD formation in activated HSCs and stimulated the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein and fatty acid synthase, and reduced the expression of adipose triglyceride lipase. Exogenous perilin5 expression in primary HSCs promoted LD formation. Perilipin 5 siRNA eliminated curcumin-induced LD formation in HSCs. These results suggest that curcumin recovers LD formation and lipid accumulation in activated HSCs by increasing perilipin 5 gene expression. Furthermore, inhibition of AMPK or PPAR gamma activity blocked curcumin's effect on Plin5 gene expression and LD formation. Our results provide a novel evidence in vitro for curcumin as a safe, effective candidate to treat liver fibrosis.