Abstract: Objective to investigate the proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction effect of parthenolide on human pancreatic Panc-1 cells and the possible mechanisms. Methods The MTT assay was used to assess cytostatic activity induced by parthenolide. Flow cytometry was adopted to evaluate the cell apoptosis after parthenolide treatment. The wound closure and cell invasion assay were employed to observe the cell migration and invasion ability. Western blotting was used to demonstrate expression levels of involved protein such as Bcl-2 and Bax. Results The MTT assay indicated that the pancreatic Panc-1 cells proliferation could be dose-dependently inhibited by parthenoolide. The IC50 was 15μM. Flow cytometry showed that parthenolide induced apoptosis in pancreatic tumor Panc-1 cell line. The wound closure assay showed that parthenolide inhibited migration ability of pancreatic Panc-1 cells. The cell invasion assay indicated that parthenolide reduced the invasion ability of pancreatic Panc-1 cells. The Bcl-2 was down-regulated while the Bax was up-regulated after parthenolide treatment, as shown in western Blotting. Conclusions The parthenolide inhibits the growth, migration invasion, and also induces apoptosis of pancreatic Panc-1 cells. PTL induces apoptosis in Panc-1 cells mainly by influencing several Bcl-2 family members especially the balance of Bcl-2/Bax.