〔Abstract〕 Objective To study whether dexmedetomidine could affect the proliferation and migration of Huh-7 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and to investigate the potential molecular mechanism. Methods The experiment was divided into two parts: cells and animals. Firstly, Huh-7 cells were randomly classified into six groups: normal control(group CON), dexmedetomidine 0.1 nmol/L(group D1), dexmedetomidine 1 nmol/L(group D2), dexmedetomidine 10 nmol/L(group D3), group OGD/R, OGD/R with dexmedetomidine 0.1 nmol/L(group D+OGD/R). Cells proliferation was measured by MTT assay. SIRT1 protein expression was assessed by Western blot. Transwell migration assay was used to detect the migration of Huh-7 cells. Secondly, the mouse xenograft model of hepatocellular carcinoma was established, and then randomly divided into 2 groups: group DEX and group CON. Normal saline or dexmedetomidine(0.5 mg/kg) was daily injected(s.c.) to the mice for six days in group CON or group DEX, respectively. Mice were euthanized after 30 days and the tumor size was recorded. Results Dexmedetomidine alone increased the cell viability of Huh-7 cells, and further improved the cell viability induced by OGD/R injury. On the other hand, the ability of migration was significantly increased by dexmedetomidine. Dexmedetomidine increased the expression of SIRT1 in normal condition and in OGD/R injury. However, there was no difference in tumor burden between group DEX and group CON. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can affect the proliferation and migration of Huh-7 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, in which SIRT1 may participate.