The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the key step for liver fibrogenesis and progression. Increasing clinical and experimental studies suggest that hepatic fibrosis is reversible. One of the major manifestations for reduction of fibrosis is the decrease of activated HSCs. Thus, how to clear the activated hepatic stellate cells has become a focus of study on treatment of hepatic fibrosis. By now there have been two potential pathways for reduction of activated HSCs: reversal of the phenotype of HSCs and apoptosis. This paper reviews the anti-hepatic fibrosis strategies based on the clearance of activated HSCs.