Objective To investigate the mechanism of grow-inhibition and apoptosis induced by marine on Hep-2 line. Methods The growth inhibiting rate of matrine on Hep-2 cells was detected by MTT assay. Fluorescence microscope, DNA gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry (FCM) were applied to determine the presence of apoptosis and cell cycle. Results Matrine had cytotoxic effect to Hep-2 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The FCM analysis showed that the number of Hep-2 cells of S phase and the apoptosis rate increased, while the number of G2/M phase decreased. There were morphological changes including chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation and apeptotic bodies formed. DNA gel electrophoresis analysis showed typical DNA ladder of apoptosis. Conclusion Matrine inhibits cell prolif-eration by blocking Hep-2 cell cycle to S phase, and exerts its anti-carcinoma function by inducing apoptosis.