This study aims to explore the effects and mechanisms of curcumin on hepatic steatosis in high-fat-fed rats. SD rats were randomly divided into three group: normal control (NC) group, high-fat diet (HF) group, low-dose curcumin (Cur-L) group, and high-dose curcumin(Cur-H) group. The Lee's index and liver index were measured. Fatty changes in the liver observed by HE and oil red O staining. The levels of triglyceride (TG) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in blood and the levels of TG and free fat acid (FFA) in liver were detected. The expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) protein in liver was detected by Western blot. The Lee's index and liver index in HF group were obviously increased than those in NC group (P<0.05). The Lee's index and liver index in Cur-L and Cur-H group were significantly lower than those in HF group (P<0.05). There was no hepatic steatosis in NC group. In HF group, hepatic steatosis was obvious. Hepatic steatosis was significantly reduced after the application of curcumin, and there was a dose-dependent difference. Compared with NC group, the levels of TG and ALT in blood and TG and FFA content of liver in HF group were obviously increased (P<0.05); The expression of mTOR, SREBP-1c and FAS protein in liver was markedly elevated (P<0.05). After the application of curcumin, the levels of TG and ALT in blood and TG and FFA content of liver were decreased significantly, and there was a dose-dependent difference (P<0.05); Compared with HF group, the expression of mTOR, SREBP-1c and FAS protein in liver was significantly reduced, and there was a dose-dependent difference (P<0.05). Curcumin may alleviate liver steatosis in high-fat fed rats by reducing the expression of mTOR and SREBP-1c.