Abstract: Objective　To investigate the effects of emodin on proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells and the expression of Survivin and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein （XIAP）and the possible mechanism. Methods SKOV3 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into control group and emodin groups(final emodin concentration is 12.5, 25 and 50 μmol/L).The SKOV3 cells viability was measured by MTT and the cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry analysis. The changes of mRNA and protein were examined by RT-PCR and western blot respectively. Results MTT shows that the proliferation of SKOV3 cells in each group decreased in the different concentration of emodin compared with control group（P < 0. 01）; The apoptosis rate of SKOV3 cells increased in the different concentration of emodin groups respectively compared with control group（P < 0. 01）. The expression of Survivin and XIAP mRNAs and proteins in SKOV3 cells in the presence of different concentration of emodin decreased compared with control group（P<0.01）. Conclusion Emodin could induce apoptosis of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells by down-regulation of the expressions of Survivin and XIAP proteins.

Key words: emodin, ovarian cancer, SKOV3, apoptosis