Capsaicin is a major pungent ingredient found in hot pepper, has long been reported to control of obesity and anti-carcinogenic activities. Capsaicin induced apoptosis in a various cancer cells, however the precise molecular mechanisms have been poorly understood. In present study, the effect of capsaicin in cell viability the U87MG human glioma cells and its molecular mechanisms of cell death were investigated. Capsaicin induced reduction of cell viability in dose- and time-dependent manners. Apoptosis was determined based on the increase of positive TUNEL stained cells. The mechanisms of apoptosis were related with mitochondrial pathway (Bcl-2/Bax), activation of MAPK pathway. These data suggest that capsaicin could be a novel chemotherapeutic agent of human malignant gliomas.