Abstract: AimTo study the mechanism of dracorhodin perchlorate-induced Hela cell apoptosis. MethodsCell viability was measured by MTT method. Morphological changes were observed by phase contrast microscopy and Hoechst 33258 staining. DNA fragmentation was assayed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Protein expression was detected by Western blot analysis. ResultsDracorhodin perchlorate induced Hela cell apoptosis. The apoptosis was partially reversed by caspase-1, -3, -8, -9 and caspase family inhibitors. Treatment of Hela cells with dracorhodin perchlorate for 12 h increased the protein expression ratio of Bax/Bcl-XL; procaspase-3, -8, ICAD and PARP were cleaved to smaller molecules. ConclusionDracorhodin perchlorate induced Hela cell death via alteration of Bax/Bcl-X_L ratio and activation of caspases.