Abstract: The apoptosis of mice melanoma B16 cells induced by β-elemene was studied with the electron microscope and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) technique. The results showed that β-elemene in the concentration from 10ug/ml to 40ug/ml accerated the apopotosis of B16 cells. The apoptotic index of B16 cells detected by TUNEL technique was well retated to the duration cocultured with β-elemene and the concentrations of β-elemene. It was suggested that it is one of the anticancer mechanisms of β-elemene to induce apoptosis of tumor cells.