Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the cytotoxicity and proapoptotic activity of Curcumin on cervical cancer cell line Hela and its mocular mechanisms. MethodsHeLa cells were treated with different concentrations of Curcumin for different time, MTT assay was performed to examin the growth inhibition effects of Curcumin on HeLa cells. The expression of P53 was assayed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The expressions of acetylated histone H3, P53 and acetylated P53 protein were determined by Western blot. ResultsCurcumin could inhibit the proliferation of HeLa cells in a time-and- dose- dependent manner. The expression of P53 mRNA was different with the concentration and time of Curcumin, which was the strongest in 25 μmol/L at 48 h. The levels of histone H3 acetylation, P53 expression and P53 acetylation were increased significantly when treated with different concentrations of Curcumin for different time. ConclusionCurcumin functions as a deacetylase inhibitor, which could increase the level of acetylated histone H3, enhance the expression and activity of tumor suppressor P53 and inhibit the proliferation of cervical cancer cell line HeLa.