Abstract: Objective To compare the cellular growth inhibition and apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma cells（SGC-7901)induced by Zuojin Pill（ZP）and Retro-zuojin Pill（RZP). Methods The growth inhibition of the SGC-7901 treated by ZP or RZP were analyzed by MTT assay.The apoptosis rate of cell were studied by flow cytometry.Hoechst 33258 staining showed the cell morphology changes. Results After the cells treated by 0.1mg/ml ZP or RZP,the cell survival rate decreased in a time-dependent manner.When the cells were treated with 0.1,0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml RZP for 48 h,the percentages of apoptosis were (5.52±0.54）％,(6.91±2.31）% and (8.50±1.02)% respectively.The same concentrations of ZP induced cell apoptosis at the percentage of (11.60±1.24）％,(21.80±0.28)% and(36.40±1.59)% respectively.The differences in comparison with the control group were statistically significant（P＜0.01). Hochest staining results showed cells nuclear condensation,granular fluorescence and other typical features of apoptosis. Conclusion ZP and RZP significantly inhibited the growth of SGC-7901 and induced the cell apoptosis where the effect of ZP was stronger than RZP under the same conditions.