We have previously demonstrated that geniposide (GP) inhibits the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) induced-hepatotoxicity and hepatic DNA binding in rats. To address the mechanism of action, the effects of GP on AFB1-induced DNA repair synthesis and AFB1 biotransformation in cultured rat hepatocytes were investigated. By evaluation of unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS), GP reduced AFB1-induced DNA repair synthesis in a dose-dependent manner in hepatocyte cultures. GP elevates the metabolism of AFB1 and decreases the formation of AFM1. The enzyme activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and GSH-peroxidase (GSH-Px) in AFB1-treated hepatocyte cultures are enhanced in the presence of GP. GP reduces AFB1-induced DNA repair synthesis through an increased AFB1 detoxication metabolism. It provides one possible mechanism for the chemopreventive activity of GP.