Objective To explore the general anesthetic EI on the rat fetal neural stem cell proliferation(NSCs) and the role played by JNK in the influence. Methods The cultured rat fetal NSCs were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=8 each):normal group (group N);fat milk group (group F);EI groups(including 8. 12,9. 80,12. 04 mmol/L EI) , 9. 80 mmol/L EI group+20 μmol/L SP600125 group ( group EISP) . After incubated for 12 hours, the cellular effects of EI and cell viability were evaluated by MTT reduction assay. The apoptotic rate of the rat NSCs were determined by flow cytometry, and the expression of protein Caspase-3 was observed by Western blot. Results There was no statistical difference in cell viability, apoptotic rate and protein expression of Caspase-3 in group N and group F. EI group had higher cell apoptotic rate(P<0. 01), protein expression of Caspase-3 (P<0. 05 ) , but lower cell viability than group N ( P<0. 01 ) . And significant differences were found between three do-ses of EI groups (P<0. 05). Compared with EI group, lower cell apoptotic rate (P<0. 01), protein expression of Caspase-3 but higher cell viability were observed in group EISP ( P<0. 05 ) . Conclusion JNK plays an important role in EI-induced cytotoxicity possibly in a dose-dependent manner.