Objective: To investigate the antitumor effect and the mechanism of Atractylodes macrocephala essential oils on human lung cancer A549 cells. Method: A. macrocephala oil emulsion was orally given to rats

after 10 days collection containing drug serum was collected

A549 cells were cultured in serum

MTT method was used to measure the activity of A549 cells

and ELISA method was used to assay the expression of caspase-3 in A549 cells. Result: 150

300 μL·kg-1 of containing A. macrocephalae oil 15% serum could significantly inhibit the proliferation of A549 cell

A549 cell cycle arrested in G0/G1 phase

and increased the content of caspase-3 protein in A549 cells. Conclusion: A.macrocephalae oil can inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells

its antitumor mechanism may control A549 cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase

promote the expression of the caspase-3 protein.