Objective To compare the pharmacological actions of Liandai Tablet(LT) and its main active components on apoptosis of gastric cancer cells and DNA damage. Methods Effects of Liandai Tablet(LT) and its main active components,berberine and indirubin,on growth and apoptosis of gastric cancer cell strain MGC_803 were explored and their effects on DNA damage were also studied. Results LT serum in high and low dosages and berberine could inhibit the growth of MGC_803 as compared with the control group,and typical morphological features of apoptosis were found in the MGC_803 by methyl green pyronin stain assay.But indirubin at various concentrations showed no obvious inhibitory effects. Agarose gel electrophoresis assay revealed that the MGC_803 cell DNA was split into large fragments when treated with berberine. Conclusion LT serum exerts a similar inhibitory effect on the growth and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells as compared with berberine.The effects of LT at various serum concentrations on MGC_803 DNA was less than that of berberine,and indirubin at the given concentration had no this effect.