Abstract: Objective To examine whether portulacerebroside A (PCA), a novel cerebroside compound isolated from Portulaca oleracea L., influences the apoptosis, migration and invasion of human cervical cancer HeLa cells. Methods HeLa cells were treated with various concentrations of PCA. Cell viability was examined by MTT assay and the apoptosis induced by PCA was determined by flow cytometry. The scratch test, matrigel assay and Transwell test were performed respectively to estimate the capabilities of migration, adhesion and invasion of HeLa cells. Results PCA treatment signifi cantly inhibited cell viability, increased apoptosis rate, decreased migration percentages and HeLa cells adhesion, and reduced invasion cells number. Conclusion PCA markedly induces the apoptosis and suppresses the migration and invasion of HeLa cells, suggesting its potential therapeutic effects on cervical cancer.