Aim To investigate the effect and mechanism of metformin on lipid accumulation in Huh7 hepatocytes. Methods Huh7 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into:blank control group, 5 mmol/L, 10 mmol/L and 15 mmol/L metformin treatment group. After determing the optimal concentration, LDL was used to load fat, and then divided into:blank control group, LDL group, LDL+15 mmol/L metformin treatment group. Cell proliferation and toxicity test kits were used to detect cell survival rate, oil red O and BODIPY lipid probes were used to detect intracellular lipid content, Dil-LDL was used to detect cell lipid uptake capacity, and Western blot analysis was performed on sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2), sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) protein expression. Results Metformin can inhibit LDL-induced lipid accumulation in Huh7 hepatocytes and reduce protein expression of SREBP-2, SREBP-1c, LDLR, and PCSK9. Conclusion Metformin reduces intracellular lipid uptake by reducing LDLR expression and inhibiting the expression of the transcription factors SREBP-2 and SREBP-1c.