To investigate the effects of Trichosanthes semen extract on the growth and apoptosis of human uterine cervical carcinoma cells. Effects of Trichosanthes semen extract on the growth of ME-180 cells were assayed by MTT assay. Apoptosis induced by Trichosanthes semen extract was detected by fluorescent microscopy, DNA fragmentation analysis and flow cytometry. Caspase-3 and caspase-8 activities were assayed. Trichosanthes semen extract induced ME-180 cells to die in a dose- and time-dependent manner. ME-180 cells treated with Trichosanthes semen extract exhibited typical characteristics of apoptosis. The population of Sub-G1 cells increased significantly, and the cells represented the reduced size, condensed chromatin and apoptotic bodies. They showed the decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased activities of caspase-3 and caspase-8. The results suggest that Trichosanthes semen extract induced ME-180 cell apoptosis and the activation of caspase and mitochondrial pathway were involved in the process of Trichosanthes semen extract-induced apoptosis.