Objective To investigate the effect of zerumbone on the proliferation and apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC1 and its possible mechanism.Methods Zerumbone of various concentrations (3.75, 7.5, 15, 30, 60 μg/ml) were used to treat PANC1, and cells without treatment were used as control.CCK-8 assay was used to detect the inhibitory rate of cell proliferation.Cell apoptosis analysis was determined by using Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry.Western blotting was performed to evaluate the phosphorylation Statl ( p-STAT1 ), and Bax and Bcl2 protein expression.Results Zerumbone caused a time- and dose-dependent reduction of cell viability in PANC1 cells.After 48h treatment of Zerumbone of 15 μg/ml, cells inhibitory rate was increased to (72.8 ± 2.72 )%, and classic apoptosis morphology was observed, with apoptosis rate was 14.2%.At the same time, p-STAT1, and Bax protein expression was significantly increased (0.654 ±0.048 vs 0.074 ±0.011, 0.577 ±0.044 vs 0.218 ±0.027,P＜0.05);Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly decreased (0.162 ± 0.029 vs 0.459 ± 0.034, P＜0.05).Conclusions Zerumbone may inhibit the proliferation of PANC1 cells and inducing cell apoptosis,which may be related to the up-regulation of STAT1's activity and Bcl-2/Bax ratio.