Objective: To study the effects of Phellodendron amurense on herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and cytokines, and to explore the mechanism of Phellodendron amurense inhibiting HSV-1 virus through multiple channels. Methods: Viruses were inoculated into medicine treated HeLa cells. The proliferation of virus was observed by fluorescence microscopy. The transcriptional levels of glycoprotein gD and functional protein US1 on the surface of virus envelope were detected by quantitative (q) PCR. After incubating HeLa cells for 24 h, qPCR was used to detect the expression of intrinsic immune factors such as IP-10, IL-12, IFN-gamma and transcription factor NF-kappa B (P65). The expression and nuclear location of NF-kappa B (P65) protein were detected by immunofluorescence. Results: Fluorescence showed that the proliferation of virus decreased significantly at 8 and 40 ng/ml (P<0.01), and the transcription levels of viral protein gD and US1 decreased (P<0.05). After incubation for 24 hours, the transcription levels of IP-10, IL-12 and IFN-gamma in HeLa cells increased significantly (P<0.01). The transcription level of transcription factor NF-kappa B (P65) also increased (P<0.05), and immunofluorescence showed that the nuclear penetration rate of p65 subunit of NF-kappa B (P65) in each group increased (P<0.05). Conclusions Phellodendron amurense extract can inhibit HSV-1 by inhibiting the transcription of viral functional protein and promoting the expression of cellular immune factors.