Objective To explore whether PI3K/ AKT signaling pathway participates in the inhibiting effect of Ru-tin on H2 O2-induced apoptosis in human lens epithelial cells( HLEC). Methods HLEC were divided into four groups: control group,H2 O2 group,rutin group,LY294002 group. Cell survival rates were determined by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay; cell apoptosis rates were monitored by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC and propidiun iodide(PI) staining. Western blot was used to measure the expres-sion levels of AKT and p-AKT. Results H2 O2 induced HLEC apoptosis. Compared with H2 O2 group,rutin group not only increased the expression lever of p-AKT,but also reduced cell apoptosis rate(P < 0. 01). In LY294002 group, LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K/ AKT signaling pathway,could significantly block the change of these inde-xes produced by rutin group(P < 0. 01), but no significant change compared with H2 O2 group. Conclusion Rutin inhibits H2 O2-induced cell apoptosis and may be associated with PI3K/ AKT signaling pathway.