Background Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) is a kind of ligand-activated transcription factors binding to peroxisome proliferator response element (PPRE), a specific recognition site. It is thought to play a critical role in glucose and lipid metabolism and in inflammation control. The aim of this study was to establish a new cellular model for the quick screening of lipid-lowering drugs, which may be effective as PPAR-γ ligands on the PPRE-mediated pathway regulatory system. Methods Two plasmids were constructed: pXOE-PPARγ, in which the human PPARγ gene was in the downstream of TFⅢA gene promoter, and pLXRN-PPRE-d2EGFP, in which the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene was subcloned into PPRE. The xenopus oocytes were injected with these two plamids, and consequently treated with prostaglandin E1, pioglitazone, and different kinds of lipid-lowering drugs. After 3 days, the oocytes were observed under a fluorescence microscope. To confirm the drug action,we injected pXOE-PPARγ plasmid into the oocytes, which then treated with prostaglandin E1and Hawthorn flavonoids. The mass of expressed lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in the cells was determined by enzyme labeling linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Conclusions It is possible to establish a PPRE regulatory EGFP reporter system in xenopus oocytes to monitor the activity of PPARγ ligand. Hawthorn flavonoids can increase the expression of gene downsteam of PPRE by effect on the PPRE pathway regulatory system.