Objective To investigate the effects of resveratrol on inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis of U251 cells. Methods The proliferation activity was detected by MTT assay, and apoptosis of early and late period by method of Annexin V-FITC apoptosis assay, and the cell morphological changes were observed by microscopy after U251 cells being treated with resveratrol. Results Resveratrol could significantly inhibite the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of early and late period of U251 cell in a time-and does-dependent manner. Conclusion Resveratrol can significantly inhibite the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of early and late period of U251 cell.