Gardenia jasminoides is one of the most widely used herbal preparations for the treatment of liver disorders. This study evaluated the potential beneficial effect of G. jasminoides in a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced liver injury. The mice were treated intraperitoneally with $CCl_4$ (10 ${mu}l$/kg). They received G. jasminoides (30, 100, 300 mg/kg) 48 h, 24 h and 2 h before and 6 h after administering $CCl_4$. The serum activities of aminotransferase and the hepatic level of malondialdehyde were significantly higher 24 h after the $CCl_4$ treatment, while the concentration of reduced glutathione was lower. These changes were attenuated by G. jasminoides. $CCl_4$ increased the level of circulating tumor necrosis factor-$alpha$ (TNF-$alpha$) markedly, which was reduced by G. jasminoides. The levels of hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression were markedly higher after the $CCl_4$ treatment. G. jasminoides diminished these alterations. $CCl_4$ increased the level of TNF-$alpha$, iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expressions, and these increases were attenuated by G. jasminoides. These results suggest that G. jasminoides alleviates $CCl_4$-induced liver injury, and this protection is likely due to the reduced oxidative stress and the downregulation of proinflammatory mediators.