AIM:To investigate the effect of tanshinone ⅡA on proliferation and apoptosis of human pterygium fibroblasts (HPF) in culture and search for a new method to prevent the recurrence after pterygium surgery.METHODS:HPF was incubated with 0-320mg/L tanshinone ⅡA for 24-96 hours.The MTT method was used to assay the biologic activities of the tanshinone ⅡA in different time and different doses. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in each group was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The cell cycle distribution was measured by flow cytometic analysis. RESULTS: Administration of 80mg/L tanshinone ⅡA for 48 hours could significantly inhibit HPF proliferation in a dose-and time-dependent manner (P<0.05).Tanshinone ⅡA (80-320mg/L) could inhibit the expression of PCNA in HPF in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Tanshinone ⅡA can significantly inhibit HPF proliferation and induce its apoptosis.