Abstract:MTT method, fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry (FCM) were used to explore the effects of capsaicin on proliferation and apoptosis of Spodoptera litura (SL) cells. The results showed that the IC50 value of capsaicin to SL cells for 24h was 46.89μg/mL, and the difference was not significant when compared with rotenone. After SL cells were treated by 40μg/mL capsaicin for 24h, the cell morphology changed obviously and typical symptom of apoptosis was detected. After SL cells were treated by 10, 20 and 40μg/mL capsaicin for 48h, the rates of early apoptosis were 13.56%, 18.61% and 3.81%, respectively, while the late apoptosis were 23.78%, 34.28% and 61.72%, respectively. The change of cell cycle was obvious and cell cycle arrested in the G2/M phase after cells were treated by capsaicin for 48h. It is tentatively concluded that the inhibitory effect of capsaicin to SL cells was good and capsaicin possessed the concentration dependence induction of apoptosis to SL cells.