Objective  To explore the effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rb1 on the repair of sciatic nerve injury (SNI) in mice.    Methods  Seventy-eight adult male Kunming mice were randomly divided into sham group (26), SNI group (26), SNI+Rb1 group (26). The SNI+Rb1 group was given 10 mg/kg ginsenoside Rb1 (i.p.), and the SNI group and the sham group were given the same volume of normal saline. The injury method  was established by squeezing the sciatic nerve. Sciatic functional index (SFI) was used to evaluate sciatic nerve function. Growth associated protein 43(GAP43) immunofluorescent staining was used to detect neural regeneration and repair on day 14, and the structure changes of the myelin sheath of the injured segment were observed under transmission electron microscope. Ki67 and S100β were used to detect the proliferation and migration ability of Schwann cells, and Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels after crush on day 3 and day 7.   Results SFI of SNI+Rb1 group was higher than SNI group. The HE result  showed that the sciatic nerve was uniform in the SNI+Rb1 group. The result  of immunofluorescent staining displayed that Rb1 enhanced GAP43+ axon elongation, and the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF) was elevated. Transmission electron microscopy study suggested that, compared with the model group, the myelin structure and thickness of the SNI+Rb1 group were improved. Further testing revealed that Ki67+ cell proliferation and S100β+ Schwann cell migration in the vicinity of the injured segment increased after Rb1 was administered. The result  of Real-time PCR showed that the mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β in the SNI+Rb1 group decreased rapidly, and the expression levels of transcription factors related to Schwann cell activation increased (P<0.05).    Conclusion  Rb1 10 mg/kg can reduce the expression level of inflammatory factors, and increase the expression level of BDNF and NGF, and promote Schwann cell activation, which is beneficial for the nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve injury in mice.