ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of cucurmosin on apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 in vitro. MethodsThe inhibition of cucurmosin on SW1990 cell was detected by MTT assay, the apoptosis was observed by transmission electron microscope, the apoptosis rate was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the protein level of caspase3 was determined by Western blot. ResultsAfter exposure to cucurmosin at 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, 10.00, 20.00, 40.00, and 80.00 μg/ml for 24, 48, and 72 h, the proliferation of SW1990 cell was inhibited in a time-and dose-dependent manner (Plt;0.05). At 72 h after 40.00 μg/ml cucurmosin treatment, the typical apoptosis changes and apoptotic bodies were observed by transmission electron microscope. After exposure to cucurmosin at 0, 2.50, 10.00, and 40.00 μg/ml for 72 h, the apoptosis rate increased gradually as (0.30±0.11)%, (18.93±1.06)%, (28.00±2.07)%, and (49.93±3.25)%, respectively (Plt;0.05). The expression of caspase-3 protein was elevated gradually (Plt;0.05). ConclusionCucurmosin may induce the apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cell through up-regulating the expression of caspase-3.