Objective　To investigate the differentiation of HL-60 cells induced by different doses of Purerarin（PR） comparing with all-trans retinoic acid（ATRA）and to see if PR can induce apoptosis of HL-60 cells. Methods　Cell differentiation was analyzed by NBT reduction, the ratio of NBT/MTT and CD11b ,apoptosis by morphology, DNA electrophoresis, and flow cytometry（FCM）. Results　80 μg.ml-1, 160 μg.ml-1, 320 μg.ml-1 PR could induce differentiation of HL-60 cells, no significant difference was observed between the cells treated with 1 μmol.L-1 ATRA and 320 μg.ml-1 PR. Treated with 320 μg.ml-1, 640 μg.ml-1PR, HL-60 cells exhibited a morphological characteristic of apoptosis and typical DNA ladder on gel electrophoresis. FCM analysis showed that PR could interfere with cell cycle in HL-60 cells, with a increased ratio of sub-G1 in HL-60 cells. Conclusion　PR exerts effect on differentiation and induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells.