To research the anti-cancer effect as well as the mechanisms and therapeutic targets of celastrol. The mechanisms and therapeutic targets of celastrol are summarized through searching and analyzing the literatures in recent years. Since 1995

it is proved that celastrol is effective in the treatment of cancer in many researches. The mechanisms include inducing the apoptosis of tumor cells

affecting angiogenesis

affecting the related proteins of tumor and so on. However there are few researches on the in vivo process of celastrol. People should pay more attention on the in vivo process of celastrol to establish the foundation of the use of celastrol.