Objective: This study was aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of extract of Antrodia camphorata (ANCA-E-D) in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells SMMC-7721

and to explore its possible mechanism. Method: In this study

we used the exponential phase cells. The MTT method was used to detected the inhibitory effect of ANCA-E-D in various concernation on proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells which were cultured in vitro after 24

48

72 hours. Cell morphological changes were observed after Wright's stain. The flow cytometry was adopted to detected the change of cell cycle and the detection of apoptosis in vitro. Result: The concentration of 20

40

60 mg · L-1 ANCA-E-D could markedly inhibit the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells after 24

48

72 h. The 50% inhibiting concentration IC50 of SMMC-7721 cells for 24

48

72 hours were 31.21

24.12

21.48 mg · L-1

respectively. The SMMC-7721 cells displayed distinctive apoptotic character by Wright's staining with ANCA-E-D.Flow cytometry indicated that the different concentrations of ANCA-E-D could induce SMMC-7721 cells apoptosis

that the late apoptosis is dominant. Conclusion: ANCA-E-D can inhibit the proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells SMMC-7721

and the possible mechanism may relate to the induction of apoptosis.