[Abstract] Objective: To observe the effects of shikonin on the proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of human esophageal carcinoma TE-1 cells, and to explore its mechanism. Methods: TE-1 cells were treated with different concentrations of shikonin (0, 1, 5, 10 µmol/L). MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation at different time points (24, 48 and 72 h). After treatment with shikonin for 48 h, cell apoptosis in TE-1 cells of each group was observed with Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and cell cycle. The changes in expression of TRAP1/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway related proteins were detected by Western blotting. Results: Shikonin inhibited the proliferation of TE-1 cells in a time-dose-dependent manner (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the control group, shikonin significantly promoted the apoptosis of TE-1 cells (P<0.01), induced the G0/G1 phase block of TE-1 cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and reduced the expression levels of TRAP1, p-Akt and p-MTOR (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The above effects were all dose-dependent. Conclusion: Shikonin can significantly inhibit the proliferation of TE-1 cells in vitro, induce G0/G1 phase arrest and promote apoptosis, which may be closely related to the inhibition of TRAP1/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.