Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effects of the serum containing Xiaobanxia plus Fuling formulas on the proliferation of human hepatoma carcinoma HepG2 cell and on the expression of apoptosis associated factors in HepG2. Method: The effects of Xiaobanxia plus Fuling formulas on the proliferation of HepG2 were determined by MTT assay. The cell cyclic retardation was examined by using flowcytometry. Immunohistochemistrywas used to detect the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in the level of protein. Result: MTT showed that Xiaobanxia plus Fuling formulas had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG2 cells

and the effect was best at 24 h than that at other time. The cell cycle analysis showed that Xiaobanxia plus Fuling formulas increased the percentage of S phase cells

and cyclophosphamide(CTX) reduced the percentage of G2 phase cells in 24 hour. The results of the immunohistochemistry demonstrated the expression of caspase-3 was increased with dose-time dependent. Conclusion: The serum containing Xiaobanxia plus Fuling decoction has a significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG2.The mechanism of inducing cell apoptosis may be related with increasing in the level of caspase-3.