Objective: To investigate the effect of inducing apoptosis of Elemene on ascites hepatoma cell line Hea-F25/cL-16A3. By using immunhistochemistry and DNA electrophoresis, the mechanism of Eiemene antitumor was studied.

Results: The results showed that the Elemene can inhibit expression of bcl-2 in ascites hepatoma cell line Hca-F25/CL-16A3, and the Elemene also can make DNA fragmentation in this cell line in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion: The data suggest that Elemene can inhibit the growth of tumor by inducing apoptosis.