Aim To explore the effects of nuciferine on the expressions of CD36 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ （PPARγ） in THP-1 derived macrophages,and the signal transduction pathway. Methods THP-1 derived macrophages were randomly divided into groups of normal,oxidized low density lipoprotein （ox-LDL）,nuciferine and ciglitazone. Macrophage cells were valued by oil red O staining. The expressions of CD36 and PPARγ were measured by RT-PCR and Western blot,respectively. Results Compared with normal group,lipid droplets were increased while mRNA and protein expressions of CD36 and PPARγ were upregulated in ox-LDL group. Compared with ox-LDL group,lipid droplets were decreased while mRNA and protein expressions of CD36 and PPARγ were downregulated in nuciferine group. Compared with nuciferine group,lipid droplets had no difference while mRNA and protein expressions of CD36 and PPARγ were upregulated in ciglitazone group. Conclusions Nuciferine downregulates CD36 expression in THP-1 derived macrophages,lessen the degree of foam formation. Nuciferine downregulates CD36 expression by downregulating PPARγ expression.