Matrine is a Chinese medicine, which is widely utilized for the attenuation of liver injuries and promotion of liver regeneration. It was previously observed that the in vivo administration of matrine promoted oval cell‑mediated liver regeneration in a rat model, suggesting that this compound may affect the differentiation of hepatic progenitor cells. The present study aimed to determine the mechanisms underlying this observation and to investigate the effect of matrine on the differentiation of the WB‑F344 rat hepatic progenitor cell line. Matrine was administered to rats, and rat serum was collected. WB‑F344 cells were cultured in the presence or absence of the rat serum for 24‑72 h, and the effects on cell viability and proliferation were assessed using acridine orange/propidium iodide staining and a 3‑(4,5‑dimethylthiazol‑2‑yl) ‑2,5‑diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The expression of albumin (ALB, a hepatocyte marker) and the notch signaling pathway ligand, Jagged 1, were assessed using immunohistochemistry and western blotting, and the mRNA transcription of ALB, Jagged 1 and hairy and enhancer of split‑1 (HES1, another notch signaling ligand) were measured using reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction analysis. The results showed that proliferation of the WB‑F344 cells was inhibited by matrine serum in a concentration‑ and time‑dependent manner. Matrine serum downregulated Jagged 1 and HES1, and upregulated ALB, indicating the induction of WB‑F344 cell differentiation. The effects of matrine serum were reversed by supplementing the culture medium with 0.1 mol/l parathyroid hormone, a Notch signaling pathway activator. In conclusion, matrine induced hepatic differentiation of the hepatic progenitor cells, likely by inhibiting the Jagged 1/HES1 signaling pathway.